Is it cold where you are this morning? Mother Nature is definitely fickle this time of year and after our mild March weather and temperatures in the 70s and 80s, we’re below freezing this morning. I picked these violas yesterday that I planted back in the fall, which are fortunately cold-tolerant and will rebound from our cold snap.
Grab yourself a cup something warm and enjoy a piece of Almond and Poppy Seed Loaf Cake!
I found this recipe in the April edition of Country Living Magazine. This cake is not overly sweet which I prefer, but has a more subtle almond flavor than I was looking for which may have had to do with the brand of almond extract I used. Next time I would reverse the amounts of extracts in the recipe, using 1 teaspoon of almond and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to bump up the almond flavor. You can find an interesting taste test and comparison of almond extracts from Cook’s Illustrated here.
This is cake is served with an almond glaze and baked in a 8 x 4 loaf pan, so it’s a smaller size to enjoy but enough to satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re trying to keep warm as you dream about the sweet sunny faces of violas and spring blooms!
Almond and Poppy Seed Loaf Cake
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 c. sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
1/2 c. whole milk, at room temperature
2 tbsp. poppy seeds
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-by- 4-inch loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. Beat in vanilla and almond extracts. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture and milk alternately, starting and ending with flour mixture, just until flour is incorporated. Fold in poppy seeds. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove to rack to cool completely.
Drizzle cake with Almond Glaze.
Almond Glaze
Ingredients
1 c. confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. milk, plus more for desired consistency
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
pinch of Kosher salt
Whisk together sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp. milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and a pinch of kosher salt in a bowl. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
Almond and Poppy Seed Loaf Cake
Ingredients
Cake ingredients:
- 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- *1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- * 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
- 1/2 c. whole milk at room temperature
- 2 tbsp. poppy seeds
Almond Glaze:
- 1 c. confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp. milk plus more for consistency
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
- pinch Kosher salt
Instructions
To make cake:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-by- 4-inch loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Beat butter and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. Beat in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture and milk alternately, starting and ending with flour mixture, just until flour is incorporated.
- Fold in poppy seeds. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes.
- Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove to rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle cake with Almond Glaze
Almond Glaze:
- Whisk together sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp. milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and a pinch of kosher salt in a bowl.
- Add additional milk, 1 tbsp. at a time, to reach desired consistency.
Notes
- * For a more distinct almond flavor, use 1 teaspoon almond and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Cover pan with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning as needed during last 15 - 20 minutes of baking time until cake is baked through.
Behind the scenes. . . You’ll notice the photo above, unlike the other photos has three slices of cake instead of two. This time of year, I photograph shooting down on the floor to take advantage of the light there. I thought my husband was on dog duty when I turned around to upload my photos. Chloe took the opportunity to sneak down and help herself to a slice. . .
I can’t tell if that’s the look of guilt or satisfaction. . .
Subtle almond flavor or not, this cake is Chloe-aproved :)
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
This looks delicious! I love almond flavor, and I’ll definitely use more. Chloe is such an adorable fur-baby. 😊
I think Chole is saying “I know I was bad,but it was worth it!” I love anything with almond and poppy seed,I will definitely try this cake.
This looks amazing! I’m definitely going to try making this! Thanks for sharing ❤️
I’m with you, Mary, and would reverse the amounts of flavorings for the almond bread. Thanks for the tip and also, the CI link on almond flavorings. I’m thinking Chloe is looking a little guilty, but just couldn’t help herself to that yummy treat!
Looks great!…I saw that recipe…now I will have to try it, especially after Chloe has given it the “paws up” ….
Mary, I will definitely give this recipe a try! I think Chloe enjoyed her slice! Happy Wednesday! Pam @ Everyday Living
Beautiful! ❀
That looks delicious and the violas make such a pretty garnish. I will definitely be trying this. Chloe, Chloe, Chloe! A few years back I made batch of Triple B muffins (blueberry, banana, and bran). They were on a cooling rack, and when I came back SEVEN were missing!! Yep, the dog ate 7 bran muffins. That made an interesting day!
Looks delish but the best pic is that little puppy with the look of mischievous satisfaction!!! LOL!! 😋😏🍰🍰
I do not even like poppy seeds and your photos are making me want to run out and make that cake! Gorgeous!!!
Thanks for helping me smile this morning. Chloe appreciates a good cake when she sees(eats)one. Winter weather advisory and sleet already here north of Grand Rapids MI. Where is spring? Karen
What a cutie pie! Mary, I hope you didn’t punish that sweet little girl! :) She couldn’t help being naughty with that yummy loaf cake within sniffing and nibbling range! I wonder if she liked the violas too? The info on almond extracts is so interesting! I always wondered if the premium brands of extract were worth the price difference. I hope your temps rise soon~~ours is up to 25 right now and hopefully we will go over freezing today. Can’t wait for days warm enough to spend outdoors. Linda
Great photos as usual, and the loaf cake sounds yummy! I love decorating food with fresh flowers. I am so ready for Spring to return to NC!
Love the violas and the guilty look :-)
I have a version of this recipe that is such a classic, but I’ve never had it with almond glaze, yes please! The fresh flowers, signature Mary, make it party worthy, and oh how I would love a piece with my coffee this morning! Have you ever used almond emulsion? It has wonderful flavor and not the bitterness some extracts can develop. I hope you cold snap is short and warm temps return soon!
Jenna
I forgot to mention that sweet Chloe probably just thought you were setting her a pretty doggie treat dining scene like you’ve done in the past!
Love the pansies with the pics!
This looks so tempting. I can’t wait to try it! I can’t blame Chloe one bit, it looks irresistable!
Chloe, thanks for the paw of approval.
The cake sounds delicious. On my soon to bake list.
Chloe and I would both approve. This is my kind of cake, and the almond flavor makes it even more appealing. The sweet violas are like smiling faces. I didnt plant any this year. Wish I had!
Sorry Mother Nature has you bundled up again. It is warm, sunny, and perfect here in Austin today. Miss Sadie is at the groomer, but if she were here, she’d be licking the screen to taste that cake. ‘-)
I think Chloe showed admirable restraint by taking just one slice and not the whole cake! Thanks, Mary, for a smile to start my day.
The Almond and Poppy Seed Loaf sounds wonderful, but the look on Chloe’s face makes the post…
Recipe looks divine, can’t wait to make it.
Years now, all my great recipes come from YOU! I tell everyone about your blog. Thank you so much again and keep ’em coming!
I haven’t made poppy seed bread in a long time. Your glaze makes it so pretty and garnished with violas it is so tempting.No wonder Chloe wanted some. Love your transferware platter too.
Well if it’s Chloe approved-I’m in! It sure sounds good Mary and I’m all about the smaller cakes these days-enjoy:@)
~Mary~
Chloe is thinking definitely worth it !! I am for sure making this it does look wonderful !! :)
Paula-IN
Major Chloe cuteness! I also prefer a not too sweet tea cake. And the Cooks article on flavoring s was very interesting- good to know when to splurge and when to skimp.
What a smart puppy~ you were in her area and she figured it was just for her! The platter is beautiful and the flowers are pretty, but the silver forks with the different floral pattern are just lovely! Will try this recipe for sure. Thanks Mary.
Oh boy here I am hungry and staring at that and wishing I could have a piece! I should try making this one- I love a touch of almond flavoring- you can’t go with this! I love that Chloe approved this (little stinker!).
Easier to bat those long eye-lashes and beg for forgiveness then to ask for permission to have a treat! I am with you Chloe, I would have wanted this treat too!
Oh Chloe, you are a girl after my own heart, I would have grabbed a slice too!!! I am sure that is a look of satisfaction and not guilt as I know your Mommy would never yell at you:):):) I will be making this soon, and will unfortunately not have any fur babies to share it with. Have a beautiful weekend….ALL of you!
The almond poppy seed cake looks scrumptious!! No wonder Chloe had to sneak a piece–the little rascal. It sounds like something our Shortie (part beagle/corgi) would have done.
Mary,
I,too,love a bread/cake for an afternoon treat or for mid~morning satisfaction.
This recipe sounds divinely delicious and your photographs have me drooling, dear one!
As for Chole. . . that’s the look of satisfaction. . .I’m sure of it!
Visiting from Home Sweet Home!
Fondly,
Pat
So springtime pretty! In a baking mood we went from 95 to 40 today, I could devour that with a pot of tea :-)
Gorgeous pictures!! Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Cute move, follow the light, wherever it may be. Was admiring how beautifully it was captured in the white frosting and dinnerware.
You know,…….. I don’t think Chloe felt guilty at all. She is just enjoying another fine table of treats like you frequently and lovingly prepare for her and Gracie to enjoy,with table cloth on the floor right? Such a smart discerning dog. How thoughtful, leaving some treats for you. How precious they are, and how they make us laugh every day. Thanks for sharing the shenanigans of those two little characters. Great photos btw
Oh I soooo want to make this. Wish it wasn’t 3:30am or I would right now, haha!
Your pics are so breathtaking….and Chloe, oh my goodness, how can you even get mad at a sweet guilty face like that! TOO FUNNY!
Thank you – yet again – for inspiring and sharing with us your gorgeous “eye candy!” Brilliant, well done! ♥