Description
Zesty lemon poppy seed pull-apart bread delivers a tangy twist on classic breakfast pastries. Pillowy layers of citrusy goodness invite you to savor each fragrant, delightful morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups (438 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 large eggs
Sweeteners and Sugars:
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
Leavening and Seasoning Agents:
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Craft the foundational dough by gently warming milk and butter until butter melts completely, reaching approximately 110°F.
- Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Incorporate warm milk blend and eggs into dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough emerges.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead vigorously for 5-7 minutes, developing smooth, elastic texture.
- Place kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage, and allow to rise in a warm environment for 1-1.5 hours until volume doubles.
- Prepare zesty filling by blending softened butter, sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, and lemon juice into a harmonious mixture.
- Deflate risen dough and divide into two equal portions, rolling each into thin rectangular shapes.
- Generously spread lemon filling across dough rectangles, creating an even layer.
- Slice each rectangle into 6-8 strips, carefully stacking them to create multilayered sections.
- Cut stacked strips into smaller segments and arrange vertically in greased baking pan.
- Allow shaped dough to undergo second proofing, covering with cloth for 30-45 minutes until visibly puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until golden brown and internally cooked.
- Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest to create an optional glaze with adjustable consistency.
- Remove bread from oven, rest briefly in pan, then transfer to cooling rack.
- Drizzle with prepared lemon glaze for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure milk is lukewarm, not hot, to prevent killing the yeast and ensuring proper dough rising.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a soft, stretchy texture that pulls apart easily.
- Use fresh lemon zest for maximum citrusy flavor and brighten the overall taste profile of the bread.
- For gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
- Prep Time: 2 hours (including dough preparation, kneading, filling preparation, shaping, and rises)
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 243 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 107 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg