Ultimate Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Wildflour's Note:

This is one my favorite breads! It's rich, so I don't make it very often, but so wonderful! It makes very nice gifts! ;) (Makes 2 nice-sized loaves.)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• 1 1/4 lbs butter, room temp, 5 sticks
• 2 cups sugar
• 9 large eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Coat 2 (8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/2") loaf pans with butter-flavored cooking spray.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, (I use my kitchen aid one), cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time. Scrape sides and bottom every so often with a rubber spatula.
5. Add the lemon juice, lemon rind and vanilla and beat until combined.
6. In another bowl, combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder and salt. I usually just mix this well with a whisk to combine evenly.
7. Add to the egg mixture and stir until just moistened.
8. Divide the batter between the 2 prepared pans.
9. Bake about 1 hour, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes.
10. Invert onto wire racks.
11. Cool further til wrappable with plastic wrap without any steam. Wrap tightly to keep fresh and moist.