Orange Poppyseed Cake Loaf

Glazed orange poppyseed cake is a bright and citrusy sweet bread with sprinkles of earthy poppyseed. Make a few extra loaves to share!

Healthy Orange Poppyseed Cake Loaf

This citrusy bread is a sweet way to eat more fiber and healthy fats. In fact, whenever you are craving something sweet, this is the best way to indulge your sweet tooth without risking your nutrition.

It’s kind of amazing how perfectly orange and poppyseed go together. The nutty and earthy poppyseed round out the sweet orange zest in the most iconic way.

This bread seriously melts in your mouth. First, the glaze fills your mouth with sweet flavors, then the bread just falls apart on your tongue.

Orange poppyseed bread tastes way too amazing to be good for you – but it is!

I used only the healthiest flour and sweetener for your body. This bread is easy on your blood sugar and has enough fiber to keep your gut working well.

Whenever you are craving cake, make this sweet loaf of quick bread.

Ingredients Needed

There are two parts to this bread – the glaze and the bread. I used only the healthiest ingredients in both of them. All of them are really easy to find! Here is more information about what I used in both parts.

Bread Ingredients

• White Whole Wheat Flour: Whole wheat flour has more fiber and is better for you. You’ll use 1.5 cups.
• Poppy Seeds: Add 1/4 a cup of poppyseeds for extra protein, fiber, and flavor.
• Baking Powder: The teaspoon of baking powder helps the bread have a lighter concistency.
• Salt: You only need a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of salt to enhance all the other flavors in this bread.
• Eggs: The 3 eggs help bind everything together.
• Coconut Oil: Use 1/2 a cup to boost the nutrition of the bread and make it less dry.
• Maple Syrup: About 1/2 a cup of maple syrup sweetens the bread naturally.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds tangy notes to the zesty bread. You will need about 1/2 a cup.
• Vanilla: The teaspoon of vanilla makes the bread taste richer and brings out the sweetness in the orange.
• Almond Extract: Include 1/2 a teaspoon of almond extract to deepen the flavor profile of the braed.
• Fresh Orange Juice: You’ll need about 1/3 a cup of fresh orange juice. Fresh-squeezed is best because it will have less added sugar.
• Zest of 1 Orange: Keep your orange and zest it. Orange zest has an extra full flavor.

Glaze Ingredients

• Powdered Sugar: I always use powdered sugar in my glaze because it gives it a smoother texture. Use 1/2 a cup.
• Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative to butter in glaze. Use 1 tablespoon.
• Orange Juice: Squeeze a tablespoon of fresh orange juice into the glaze for some natural sweetness and flavor.

Kitchen Tools Required

If you have ever baked sweet bread or bars before, then you probably already have all the tools you need. I only used a few easy kitchen tools. This is what I used when I made them.

Gather the following items before you begin:

• 8×4 Loaf Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Small Bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Toothpick

For measuring, you will need the following sized cups and spoons: 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon.

How To Make Orange Poppyseed Bread

Now that you have all the ingredients and kitchen tools ready, it’s time to start baking this iconic sweet bread!

First, preheat the oven to 350F and line the 8×4 bread pan with parchment paper and nonstick spray.

Now it’s time to mix the ingredients! In a medium bowl, combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, maple syrup, greek yogurt, vanilla, almond extract, fresh orange juice, and orange zest.

Next, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring to combine. Once combined, pour the batter into the greased dish.

Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely.

While cooling, make the glaze and then pour on top of the cooled loaf.

Enjoy! The sweet bread is ready for you to eat with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.

Below are some common orange poppyseed bread questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How do you make this recipe gluten-free?

All you have to do to make this bread gluten-free is use all-purpose gluten-free flour. The texture might be a little different, but not noticeable.

Which part of the orange is the zest?

The zest is the colored part of the peel on the outside of the orange.

Is this recipe a pound cake?

No, this is not a pound cake. A pound cake is typically a lot sweeter than a sweet quick bread. This is a lightly sweet bread that you can enjoy for breakfast or dessert.

Can you make these into muffins?

Yes, this bread can easily be made into muffins. Just fill a muffin tin 2/3 full and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

How do you know when the bread is fully cooked?

I always use the toothpick test to see if it is fully cooked. Stick a toothpick into the middle of the bread. Pull it out. If it comes out clean, then the bread is fully cooked.

Store leftover orange poppyseed bread in an airtight container, like a resealable pyrex dish, at room temperature. It will last about a week – if you don’t eat it all first!

This loaf of sweet bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months too.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Here are some more of my favorite sweet breads to make. Enjoy!

• Healthy Apple Bread
• Healthy Pumpkin Bread
• Coffee Cake Banana Bread
• Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Banana Bread
• Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa