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Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
Ben Carraoli

Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

I recently baked this lemon poppy seed pull-apart bread, and I have to say—it completely won me over. The bright citrus flavor combined with the soft, fluffy layers is just incredible.
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Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 10
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • all-purpose flour – 3 cups
  • granulated sugar – 1/4 cup
  • active dry yeast – 2 1/4 teaspoons
  • salt – 1/2 teaspoon
  • whole milk – 1/2 cup
  • unsalted butter – 1/4 cup
  • eggs – 2 large
  • lemon zest – 2 tablespoons
  • lemon juice – 2 tablespoons
  • poppy seeds – 1 tablespoon
  • granulated sugar – 3/4 cup
  • lemon zest – 1 tablespoon
  • butter – 2 tablespoons
  • powdered sugar – 1 cup
  • lemon juice – 2–3 tablespoons

Method
 

  1. Start by combining warm milk, yeast, and a bit of sugar. Let it sit until foamy, which shows the yeast is active. Then mix in eggs, butter, flour, salt, lemon zest, and juice to form a soft dough.
  2. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 8–10 minutes by hand or less with a mixer. Proper kneading ensures the bread will be soft and airy.
  3. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This step is key for achieving a light and fluffy texture.
  4. Mix sugar with fresh lemon zest in a small bowl. The zest releases oils that enhance the citrus aroma. Keep softened butter ready for spreading.
  5. Roll the dough into a rectangle and spread butter evenly. Sprinkle the lemon sugar mixture across the surface. Cut into strips and stack them to create layers.
  6. Arrange the stacked dough pieces into a greased loaf pan. This layering method creates the signature pull-apart effect. Cover and let it rise again slightly.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown on top. The aroma of lemon and butter will fill your kitchen. Let it cool slightly before glazing.
  8. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle generously over the warm bread. The glaze seeps into the layers, adding sweetness and moisture.

Notes

  • I always use fresh lemon zest instead of bottled flavor—it makes a huge difference
  • let the dough rise fully; rushing this step makes the bread dense
  • I prefer brushing extra butter between layers for richer flavor
  • don’t overbake; I check at 30 minutes to keep it soft
  • I sometimes add extra glaze because it makes the bread irresistibly moist.