The sun is shining bright and reflecting off the snow. The temps are in the single digits. This morning I picked up paczki for Fat Tuesday and I made eye contact with an older gentleman getting out of his car dressed in striped knee socks and sporting serious bed-head that happily greeted me with a “Happy Paczki Day!” I had a lime curd cream-filled one with raspberry glaze that will be on my mind until next year. I can’t complain about today.
If you’re having a lime curd cream-filled day like me or not, this almond poppy seed bread will make it better. Marc loves almond poppy seed things, so I wanted to make this for my valentine. I added light pink blood orange glaze to the top because blood oranges are my other valentine. Marc loved it so much that he didn’t want me to send the second loaf to work and have it be devoured by the end of the day (this is a first!). Instead I packed up a few slices for my girl, Megan and then all week I put a slice in his lunch bag.
I’m extremely happy with how this bread turned out and I think you’ll love it, too. It’s soft in the middle and has a little crunch on top from the pretty glaze. I tried to dial the sugar back in the bread and I think it’s perfectly sweet and pairs well with coffee or tea.
What perfect timing!! I’ve had a lemon poppyseed loaf on the brain all week long and was planning on baking something in the next day or two. I’ve got blood oranges in the fridge and I love anything almond flavoured so I’m guessing that I should be making this, right?!
Yay! I hope you love it!
This looks pretty perfect! I’m obsessed with blood orange flavors right about now 🙂
Thanks, Sues! Winter citrus really helps with the grayest days of winter, don’t they? Hope you’re not too snowed in!
Paczki day is the best day! And this bread makes all of my winter blues disappear 🙂 Seriously, I was dancing when it hit 22 yesterday–that’s a sad state of affairs…
Ha, Amy! We have to keep our expectations low in the winter time, right? Thanks!
Nicole! This looks amazing! If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be quick bread and this version…well, might be right up top!
I love quick breads, too, Kate! So easy, yet so rewarding. Thank you!
Thanks for mentioning our extra virgin olive oil Nicole! This looks absolutely delicious.
Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comment, Grace. It’s my favorite extra-virgin olive oil and I use it almost daily!