Poppy Seed Bread for Christmas

Amy Martin KV's Note:

This recipe makes three loaves; one to eat and two to give! (If you can part with them).This recipe is adapted from the one that my mother in law gave me when we first started celebrating Christmas. I've made a few modifications to better suit our tastes!

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 3.0 loaves

• 3 cups flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 ¼ cups butter , melted
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 3 teaspoons almond extract
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract

For Glaze

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup butter

Directions:

1. Mix all bread ingredients until well blended. Pour into 3 loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 45-60 minutes.
2. During the last fifteen minutes of baking, boil the glaze ingredients over medium-high heat until thickened and reduced by about 1/4.
3. While the loaves are still hot, pour the hot glaze over them slowly. Try to let the glaze soak into the crack on the top, and then pour more in that same spot.
4. Let cool at least overnight to allow the flavors to blend.