Orange Poppy Seed Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons poppy seeds, toasted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Orange Glaze
Toast poppy seeds in a 350 degree oven or in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally, toasting only until seeds begins to brown.
Preheat oven to 350. Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, orange zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract; stir until dry ingredients are moistened.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on wire racks.
While still hot, using a long-tined fork, poke holes in the top of baked loaves. Pour Orange Glaze over loaves. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely before slicing.
Makes 2 loaves
ORANGE GLAZE:
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract; stir until well blended.