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If there is one thing that divides my husband and I, it’s love/lack of love for lemon desserts, like this sweet, light lemon poppyseed bread. I’m a total lover of lemon everything, in fact, I used to suck on lemons as a child (who knows why) and I almost love lemon desserts as much as I love chocolate ones. My husband, on the other hand, could take them or leave them. He’s a full on chocolate lover if I’ve ever seen one, sneaking bites of brownie and cookies, as long as they have chocolate in them. Everytime there is a lemon dessert in the house, he’s kind of ‘meh’ about it, maybe trying a slice or two, but not diving into it like I do. Fact: both times in the last year that we have had lemon desserts in the house, I’ve eaten at least 1/3 of them by myself and felt zero regrets. Whoops!
I was kind of crossing my fingers and hoping for the best with this vegan lemon poppyseed bread, since I really don’t have any other recipe like it in my wheelhouse yet. Sure, I have streusel bread and a good ol’ regular yeast bread, but not a light, fluffy, sweet dessert bread that can double as both breakfast and dessert, if you play your cards right. I cobbled together a few different recipes of mine, plus tweaked a little as I went, and ended up with the easiest, sweet lemon poppyseed bread that had me fist pumping with joy and sneaking slices little by little. Plus, anything lemon poppyseed seems to be an instant hit for most people, so this one was a crowd pleaser at work. (And I quote my sometimes doubtful co-worker ‘this isn’t weird, and it’s really good!’)
I haven’t baked with Zevia or any other fizzy drink like it before, so I was hopeful for it’s ability to make a baked good light and fluffy, since it’s sweet and has a bit of rising properties. It fulfilled all of my expectations, making the lemon poppyseed bread rise like crazy, without falling and creating a sunken middle (bread nightmares!), while giving the slightest bit of sweetness and even more lemon flavor (win!). I’m now sold on the incredible ability of a fizzy drink to take my baking even further. Baking goals accomplished!
This can easily be made into vegan lemon poppyseed muffins, just divide the batter out into the well greased muffin tins evenly and baker for 15- 20 minutes. I also think this would also make incredible french toast, just use the batter from my french toast casserole to dip the slices into and cook for a few minutes on each side. Lemon poppyseed bread french toast, why haven’t I done this before?! Well now I know my weekend plans!
Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Bread
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
An easy and sweet vegan lemon poppyseed bread, comes together in one bowl and is bursting with fresh lemon flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/4 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 3/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup Zevia Lemon Lime Twist
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and poppy seeds. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mash the ripe banana until very well mashed. It shouldn’t have any large chunks or pieces left. Add the melted coconut oil, cane sugar, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Mix together with a hand mixer for 30 seconds, until everything has been blended together and no chunks remain.
- Gently fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture, using a spatula to combine until no streaks remain. Add the Zevia and fold until mixture is combined. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 40- 45 minutes, until sharp knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Notes
– This recipe would work great as muffins too! Just grease a muffin tin and distribute batter evenly between the wells.
Sarah | Well and Full says
I never used to like lemon desserts but now I LOVE them!! And I love how you make it with Zevia, I always get that when I’m at Whole Foods! 😀
Julia Mueller says
I share your love for lemon desserts, and this bread looks fantastic! I didn’t realize you could bake with soda, but it makes complete sense! Genius, m’dear!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
I’m not picky when it comes to desserts… but chocolate and lemon are two of my favorites! Especially lemon poppyseed! How fun to use soda in that bread… I’ve read about this before and have used beer.. I guess it’s similar?
amanda paa says
i am joining you on that lemon dessert train. give me all of them! such a great idea to use the carbonation for lift in this bread. and it looks like the perfect treat to have alongside coffee. xo
Heart of a Baker says
It worked out so well, I was so so happy! I did eat a few slices alongside coffee, so perfect! xo
Jan Thompson says
I can still see your face when you sucked on a lemon wedge as a toddler! This looks like a great recipe we will try!
Heart of a Baker says
I think you and dad would love it!
thalia says
i am a total lemon lover too! and can completely see myself making this bread. gorgeous! Xx
Heart of a Baker says
Thank you sweet Thalia! xo
Tessa | Salted Plains says
This is brilliant!! I never liked lemon desserts growing and up and then as soon as I reached adulthood something just clicked! This looks fabulous, Abby! xoxo
Heart of a Baker says
Woo, I’m glad you joined the lemon lover train! xoxo
Sophie MacKenzie | Wholehearted Eats says
Lemon desserts are truly one of my favs, and the addition of poppy seeds! So good! <3 I've never thought about baking with pop before! So crazy cool.
amindfullmom says
I can not wait to try this techinque! LOVE It!
Heart of a Baker says
It makes for the fluffiest bread!
dessertfortwo says
Just like our house–I love lemon, my husband loves chocolate. Lemon lovers unite!
Heart of a Baker says
We need to throw a dessert party, we will eat the lemon things, husbands eat the chocolate things! 🙂
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
Robert’s not huge on lemon stuff either! But my dad is OBSESSED with lemon desserts. He would love this. 🙂
Heart of a Baker says
I’m always stuffing it in my face and AJ is like ‘meh, whatever!’
Michelle Verkade { A Latte Food } says
I love lemon everything! This bread is perfect!
Heart of a Baker says
I’m glad you are a fellow lemon lover!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
Lemon everything is always good!
Heart of a Baker says
Agreed!
Connie says
I LOVE both lemon and lime desserts! This looks delicious.
Heart of a Baker says
I’m right there with you!
megunprocessed says
Yum! The flavor combination sounds so good!
Heart of a Baker says
It’s so so good!
Maria says
how can I replace Zevia Lemon Lime Twist, I do not find it in my country.
thank you
Mary
Heart of a Baker says
Hi Maria, You can use any fizzy drink, like lemon flavored sparkling water or seltzer!