Best Poppy Seed Bread for the Holidays

Need the perfect hostess gift for a Christmas party? Need something for a gift exchange? Scrambling to stay within that end-of-the-year budget? I’ve got the perfect recipe for you! Give the gift of the Best Poppy Seed Bread for the Holidays! Originally featured in Notebook Quarterly- Vol. II: Winter, this recipe comes from my Aunt Bonnie.

Now doesn’t that seem like the type of person who could come up with a pretty killer quick bread recipe? And boy did she ever. My first year of college, far away from the comforts of home, and feeling utterly alone in the world, I walked into the campus post office one afternoon to find she’d sent me a care package containing this treat. In one bite it reminded me there was somewhere in this world I belonged, and somebody who loved me enough to bake me Poppy Seed Bread.

What is a quick bread?

A quick bread is any bread that is leavened with a “chemical” leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder. This allows the recipe to be baked immediately instead of having to wait for a rise, like you would with natural leaving agents yeast or sourdough. This Poppy Seed Bread recipe uses baking powder for its rise.

Make your own baking powder

If you ever find yourself without baking powder in the pantry, believe me, it happens! You can easily whip up your own from things you probably already have around. Baking powder is a combination of baking soda (a base) and typically, cream of tartar (an acid).

If you, like me, ever run out of baking powder, you can mix up your own by using a 2:1 ratio. 2 parts cream of tartar to 1 part baking soda. For example, 2 Tbsp cream of tartar, 1 Tbsp baking soda. Presto!

Why put poppy seeds in bread?

Poppy seeds are known to add an element of nutty flavor to baked goods. The seeds can aid in digestion, they contain healthy fats and offer your body vital vitamins and minerals. They are also said to encourage bone health and proper blood clotting, contain anti-oxidants and apparently can help with asthma. Who knew poppy seeds were so good for you!?

On a purely aesthetic and textural front, they add a lovely appearance to baked goods. Those tiny blue seeds suspended in your batter, well, there’s just something charming about it!

How to wrap your Poppy Seed Bread loaf as a holiday gift

Since this loaf makes the perfect gift for friends and family, here are a few ways you can wrap it up nicely:

1. Holiday Gift Box. I have only been gifted a pastry box full of goodness a few times in my life, but there’s nothing better in this world. These kraft boxes have a fun window to show off your bread and some festive designs. You could always go plain, too.
2. Cellophane Bag with a Bow. Classic. These come in different colors as well, but if you’ve taken the care to frost and sprinkle your bread properly, clear might be just right to show off your handiwork.
3. Christmas Loaf Pan with Lid. Whether you give a full sized loaf or a mini-loaf with some other treats, these loaf pans are a cute way to contain your creation.
4. In a Holiday Tin with other Baked Goods. The last few years I’ve tried to give a holiday tin with a few different types of holiday treats. It’s always nice to get a little taste of a bunch of different treats. Then you don’t find yourself hiding behind the tree, scarfing down piles of fudge.

Baked goods for Christmas

Growing up, my Mom always made beautiful plates of homemade goodies for the holidays. I would often accompany her around to different friends’ houses as she dropped them off. I loved sitting in the warm car, jamming to Christmas music and seeing people’s faces as they opened up the door to find her there offering baked goods, made with love.

Showing up at someone’s house these days- without calling or texting- can you even imagine? It would make me SO happy if that happened to me. Something magical about it.

Edible holiday gift ideas:

Here’s a few recipes I make every year:

• Peanut Butter Fudge. My mom always made chocolate fudge growing up, but once I discovered this peanut butter variety, I’ve never turned back. I first saw it on my favorite British Cooking Show and I was sold. It’s a favorite in our family!
• Einkorn Sugar Cookies. A classic. With my own, slightly healthier spin. I almost always make them in snowflake shapes, frosted with blue and white swirled frosting and sparkly sprinkles. Recipe coming soon to Potager Online!
• Honey Taffy. A few years ago on her YouTube channel, Shaye Elliott made this honey taffy and I just had to try it. Lives up to the hype, my friends. Unbelievably good.
• Honey Carmel Corn. Also a Shaye Elliott recipe, I make this one all the time, not just at Christmas. It’s a staple for family game night, girl’s night or my go-to treat for a soccer game. It also looks so cute all bagged up in a clear bag, tied with a Christmas-y ribbon. Don’t pass this one by!
• Seed Brittle. I included this recipe in the Winter Issue of Notebook Quarterly for all those lovelies out there (like myself) who struggle with too much gluten or nuts. Natural sugars, crunchy seeds and caramelization combine to make pure magic in this recipe. Salty sweet!
• Einkorn Gingerbread Men. Another totally classic recipe, but these deeply spicy, crispy cookies are so fantastic with a simple vanilla glaze and a little time for it to soak in. I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t eat these for breakfast any day we have them around. Recipe coming soon to Potager Online!

Give it a try!

So whether you want to keep it totally simple and just bake a few loafs, or you are looking for something new to add to your treat plate repertoire, you’ve just got to give this bread a try! It’s such a wonderful addition to the holiday season and so near and dear to my own heart.

Leave a comment below if you give this one a try! Or give it a pin and save it to your Holiday Baking board!

Happy Holidays!

Kali

I’m Kali. Oregon mama, farmer’s wife and creator of the Potager book and blog. Join me and as we cook and garden through the seasons!