Lemon Poppy Seed Bread (muffins)

This is one of my most favorite and most under-utilized recipes! It's a family favorite... I am listing it on here for that reason and for my dear co-worker and friend... She requested that I upload my best poppy seed bread recipe and I knew this was it. I took the muffins I made to work and they were DEVOURED - that was AFTER my hubby and yes my 4 year old PICKY eater devoured some!

Our Lovely Party Guests (I say party guests - bc this will be a party in your mouth)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

2 1/2 cups white sugar

1 1/8 cups vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract

This is the second part of the recipe - DO NOT mix in with the "baking" portion - this is to be done with the "yummy portion"

1/2 cup orange juice

1 1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 teaspoon orange extract

Do NOT be intimidated by the ingredients here - it's so easy peasy and trust me - your peeps along with your mouth - will say Thank you!

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Now the good thing about this recipe is that it's versatile - it can be done in loaf pans, muffin pans, or bundt pans. Which ever you choose be sure to coat with Pam Non-Stick cooking spray... MOVING ON!!!!

BAKING PORTION

In a large (I do mean large) mixing bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds and 2 1/2 cups white sugar. Stir together your dry ingredients well. This is what you should be seeing at this point...

Now mix in the eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and lemon extract; mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Now as you probably expected - MIX dry ingredients and wet ingredients together WELL !

Now pour them bad boys up!!

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean. Cool loaves in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Watch these babies rise - oh my tummy is growling just posting this...and seeing these photos all over again....

While your goodies are baking... we will now start the "Yummy Portion" of this recipe

1/2 cup orange juice

1 1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 teaspoon orange extract

Mix them all together

Cook on your stove top.... Now I suggest doing this portion of the recipe when you have only about 5-10 minutes left on your baked goods!

You are probably thinking right about now - "No, No, No she isn't - she couldn't possibly" and to your naysayers I respond - YES I AM.... This "concoction" you are about to create with a bit of heat is going to be poured over your baked goodies!! Which will make them even better baked goodies..

Awe - "heaven's nectar"

The trick is when your goodies are hot out of the oven - I like to poke each one with a fork two or three times bc those holes allow for "heaven's nectar" to permeate every fiber of these fluffy morsels....

I am coming to the conclusion that my grandmother MUST HAVE created this recipe from a vision in her prayer time with Jesus!

Please keep in mind that you do are not REQUIRED to use all of "heaven's nectar" on your bread - however I can't imagine what sort of insanity would DRIVE you to consider NOT using it all - or thus licking the pot once you have coated each goodie!

Here is a an example of what you will have with a loaf pan.