Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread Recipe Variation
Got an AFB starter on day 10? This Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread recipe is bright, zesty, and easy to make. Your next favorite loaf starts right here!
Spring called. It wants this loaf on your counter immediately! Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread is one of those recipes that just makes you happy. It’s bright. It’s citrusy. And it’s the perfect way to use your day-10 AFB starter.
Whether you bake it for yourself or share it with friends, this one’s a total crowd-pleaser. Trust me — you’ll want to make it every single time you have a friendship bread starter ready to go.
Be sure to get my free printable recipe guide plus more variations for Amish Friendship Recipes, tips, tricks, and how to make your own sweet bread Amish Friendship Bread starter recipe: HERE.
What Is Amish Friendship Bread?
If you’re brand new here, let me break it down for you!
Amish Friendship Bread is a sweet quick bread made from a fermented starter batter. The AFB starter sits on your counter for 10 days. You feed it, squish it, and watch it bubble away. Then on day 10, you divide the batter into portions. You share some with friends and keep the rest to bake with. It’s basically the original viral share — way before social media! 😄
The remaining cup of starter batter is what you use to bake your loaf. The slightly tangy, fermented flavor it brings makes every homemade sweet bread taste uniquely delicious.
Best of all, you can flavor your loaf any way you want. And this lemon poppy seed version? Absolute chef’s kiss. 🍋
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need for this bright, citrusy loaf of lemon poppy seed bread:
- About 1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter (remaining batter/amish starter after dividing on day 10)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup white sugar, plus extra to sprinkle in pans
- 3 eggs
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant lemon pudding mix — not sugar-free!
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread
Time to bake! Here are the steps to make this zesty loaf from start to finish for a yummy variation on Amish friendship bread.
- Prep the oven and pans. First, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Spray two to three smaller loaf pans generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the batter. Next, in a large mixing bowl blend and mix together the oil, sugar, eggs, milk, lemon pudding mix, flour, lemon extract, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir until well combined. The batter will smell amazing already! 🍋
- Fold in poppy seeds. Then gently fold in the ¼ cup of poppy seeds. Don’t overmix — just stir until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Prep the pans. Sprinkle the bottom and sides of your greased loaf pans with a little plain sugar. This creates a lovely, slightly crisp exterior on the finished bread. Optional, but great either way!
- Fill and bake. Pour batter evenly into the pans, filling each one about halfway full. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Note: ovens vary! Watch the loaves closely toward the end so they don’t overbake. ✅
Cool before slicing. Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Where to Take This Bread
This fresh, lemony loaf fits in just about anywhere! Here are some fun ideas for sharing this amish bread recipe:
- Bring it to a spring brunch or Easter gathering 🌷
- Share it at a baby shower or bridal shower
- Wrap a mini loaf as a teacher appreciation gift
- Drop one off with a neighbor just because — no reason needed!
- Pack them up as a sweet hostess gift
- Bring it to a church potluck or neighborhood cookout
In short, this is the kind of bread that makes people feel genuinely loved.
Variations to Switch It Up
The great thing about this friendship bread recipe? It’s so easy to customize! Here are a few fun ideas:
- Add a sweet lemon glaze — mix powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and drizzle it over the cooled loaf 🍋
- Stir in blueberries — lemon and blueberry is a classic combo that works beautifully here
- Use fresh lemon zest — add 1 teaspoon for an even brighter citrus punch of lemon peel
- Swap the extract — try orange extract instead for a fun twist
- Make muffins — fill greased muffin tins two-thirds full and bake at 325°F for about 23-25 minutes for lemon poppy seed muffins
Additionally, you can top each loaf with a sprinkle of extra poppy seeds before baking for a pretty, bakery-style finish that looks as good as it tastes.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Good news — this bread keeps really well!
Wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or store them in an airtight container. At room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months. Simply thaw overnight on the counter when you’re ready to enjoy.
You can also bake the loaves ahead of time and freeze them for last-minute gifting or easy weekday treats. It’s a total lifesaver on busy weeks! That’s working smarter, not harder — you know? 😄
Common Questions
Can I use a starter that’s been refrigerated or frozen?
Yes! If your friendship bread starter has been frozen, thaw it completely at room temperature first. Then pick up the 10-day cycle from wherever you left off before baking.
What if I can’t find lemon instant pudding mix?
No problem! Vanilla pudding mix works as a substitute. The lemon flavor will be more subtle, so add a little extra lemon extract or some fresh lemon zest to brighten it back up.
Can I make this as mini loaves?
Absolutely! Mini loaf pans make adorable gifts. Just start checking for doneness around 30 to 35 minutes so you don’t overbake them.
Why does this recipe use plain sugar in the pans instead of cinnamon sugar?
Great question! This recipe skips the cinnamon so the lemon flavor can really shine. The plain sugar coating still creates a delicate, slightly sweet crust — and it pairs perfectly with the bright citrus taste.
How much starter do I actually need?
You need about 1 cup. That’s the portion that naturally remains in your bowl after you divide the starter batter on day 10. Easy!
Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread
Ingredients
- About a cup of starter remaining batter You will have this remaining in a bowl after you split your starter four ways on the tenth day into a ziplock bag or bowls if you want to make separate batches of the starter batter for different loaves if you want to stop the chain
- 1 cup oil
- 1 cup of sugar plus
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 3.4 oz lemon pudding mix instant & not sugar free
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius). Spray two to three smaller bread pans with cooking spray.
- In a large or medium bowl, mix together oil, sugar, eggs, milk, pudding mix, flour, lemon extract, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until well combined.
- Fold in poppy seeds.
- Sprinkle the prepared greased loaf pans with an additional 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Pour batter evenly into the pans. Fill pans halfway full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Ovens vary and this may take a little longer. Watch bread closely at the end.
- Allow the bread to cool in the mini loaves pans for 10 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Let’s Bake Something Bright and Beautiful! 🌟
There you have it — everything you need to bake a gorgeous, golden loaf! Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread is one of those recipes you’ll reach for again and again. It’s fresh, cheerful, and makes the sweetest gift for just about any occasion.
If you loved this post, save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it quickly when your next starter is ready! And while you’re here, sign up for my email list to get more fun seasonal recipes, printables, and easy everyday ideas delivered straight to your inbox. 💌
Happy baking, friend! 🍋
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Hi there!
I’m Emily, a mom and wife with a passion for crafting, celebrating holidays, and creating memorable moments. From Idaho to the world, The Benson Street is a treasure trove of easy, fun DIY projects, delightful printables, and delicious recipes. With over a decade of experience in blogging and a love for all things seasonal, I’m here to share my tips, ideas, and occasional mishaps. Join me in adding a dash of joy and creativity to every day! Read more…
