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Zesty lemon, plump blueberries and a hint of crunch from poppy seeds make this lemon blueberry poppy seed loaf a bright, delicious treat. The tender crumb is subtly sweet and perfectly balanced by citrus notes. It’s easy to bake and fun to slice, ideal for sharing at brunch or dessert, or gifting to a friend. With familiar pantry staples and fresh lemon, you can enjoy bakery-quality flavor and a burst of freshness in the comfort of your own kitchen.
This lemon blueberry poppy seed loaf combines citrus, berries and subtle crunch in a tender quick bread. It’s simple to make and full of bright flavor.
Also try raspberry hazelnut cookies, strawberry tartlets, blueberry cream cheese muffins, or lemon poppy seed loaf.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to prepare: Making a lemon blueberry loaf is so simple. It’s mainly a case of just combining ingredients together and then baking the loaf.
Moist texture: Butter and sour cream keep the loaf soft.
Zesty flavor: Lemon zest and juice add brightness.
Crowd pleaser: Everyone loves the blueberry and lemon combo.
Lemon Blueberry Loaf Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
All purpose flour: Forms the base and structure of the loaf.
Blueberries: Add sweet, juicy pockets of flavor.
Poppy seeds: Give a light crunch and a nutty hint.
Baking powder: Helps the loaf rise.
Baking soda: Works with the sour cream for extra lift.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the loaf and balances the lemon.
Lemon zest: Adds intense lemon flavor.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture.
Eggs: Bind the batter and help with rise.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and flavor depth.
Sour cream: Makes the loaf extra moist.
Milk: Loosens the batter for an even mix.
Lemon juice: Brightens and enhances the citrus notes.
How to Make Lemon and Blueberry Loaf
For more detailed instructions, with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Combine the dry ingredients: Mix the flour with the poppy seeds, baking soda and baking powder.
Beat the rest of the ingredients: Mix the sugar, lemon zest and butter with the eggs and vanilla, and the milk with the sour cream.
Add the blueberries: Gently stir in the fresh blueberries.
Bake the loaf: Transfer the mixture into a loaf pan and bake until done, then cool on a wire rack.
Substitutions and Variations
Use frozen berries: If fresh aren’t available, frozen blueberries work too.
Swap sour cream: Greek yogurt makes a good substitute.
Try another citrus: Orange zest and juice can be used instead of lemon.
Make it gluten free: Use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend.
Serving Suggestions
For brunch: Pair a slice of this sweet lemon blueberry poppy seed loaf with something savory, such as lumberjack breakfast foil packs, breakfast burritos or whole-egg muffins.
As a snack: Enjoy this loaf with a pineapple peach smoothie or treat yourself to some boozy lemonade.
How to Store Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf
Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for 2 or 3 days at room temperature.
Freeze: You can freeze the loaf (cut it into slices first so you only have to thaw what you need) for a couple of months.
Thaw: Defrost on the countertop for an hour or so, or in the refrigerator overnight.
Top Tips
Don’t overmix: Gently fold in the blueberries to avoid breaking them.
Use room temperature eggs: This helps the batter blend smoothly.
Check doneness: A toothpick should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
Cool before slicing: Letting it rest prevents it from falling apart.
Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf FAQs
Quick bread is loaves and coffee cakes that use baking powder or baking soda for leavening agents. You don’t need to wait for it to rise and no kneading is required. Berries, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and spices can add flavor to a quick bread loaf.
Poppy seeds aren’t exactly an ingredient you will use every day, so you might be wondering whether they can go bad. The answer is yes they can. If there’s any mold or discoloration, then throw them out. Otherwise, just crush a few between your fingers. If they barely have any aroma or smell strange, you should buy some fresh ones.
A handy trick for this is to dust your plump blueberries with some flour. This helps to suspend them in the batter so they end up evenly spread through the lemon blueberry poppy seed bread.
Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf Recipe
Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ Cups all purpose flour
- 1 Cup blueberries, fresh
- 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 Teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ Teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons lemon zest
- ½ Cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ Cup sour cream
- ¼ Cup milk
- 4 Tablespoon lemon juice, fresh
- nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Add sugar and lemon juice and zest to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle. Mix. Add butter to sugar mixture and mix on medium speed.
- Mix in eggs one at a time, adding in vanilla and the last egg.
- In a microwave safe bowl whisk together the milk with sour cream. Heat mixture in microwave just until room temperature.
- Mix all ingredients (flour mixture and wet ingredients) adding gradually and not over-mixing. Add the blueberries and mix lightly so the berries don’t break. Add everything to your greased loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes in the loaf pan before turning out onto a wire rack.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs: This helps the batter blend smoothly.
Check doneness: A toothpick should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
Cool before slicing: Letting it rest prevents it from falling apart.
Nutrition
This lemon blueberry poppy seed loaf is a perfect choice for spring or summer baking. The citrus and berry flavors are light and refreshing while the poppy seeds add just the right texture. Whether you’re serving guests or enjoying a quiet moment at home, this blueberry lemon poppy seed cake loaf is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. You’ll love how basic ingredients can make such a tasty treat.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Lemon and blueberry are two of my favorite things to eat. So I HAD to try this and it was everything I hoped it would be.
When do you use the lemon juice? I did not see that in the recipe.
When you add the lemon zest, sorry – there was a typo!
Wowwww this was SO GOOD. Perfectly lemony and moist. Currently eating a slice with my coffee this morning – LOVE it!!
I love how moist and tender this beautiful loaf is. Love the mixed flavor of lemon and blueberries…and the poppy seed is one of my favorite ingredients ever. It’s a shame how underrated it is. It was delicious. Big love!
This blueberry lemon loaf was so soft and fluffy! It had the best sweet and tart flavors.
I can’t get over how delicious this loaf came out! Loved the texture and flavor.
This poppyseed loaf is the perfect blend of fresh and savory flavor! It’s also super light, the perfect dessert.
Made this yesterday, so tasty! My loaf pan is glass and might be smaller than yours- think the batter was deeper in mine. I had to cook longer and it was slightly dry towards the ends when I got it to a color similar to yours. Middle, moister sections were delicious. Will make again!
In love with this recipe! I’ve made it maybe 4 times now for family and work. A few changes for me: 3 tbsp of poppy seeds (I love the crunch), I did 3 lemons worth of zest (didn’t measure) and definitely more than a cup of blueberries.
I also wanted to mention that the sour cream is blank on the ingredients and the lemon juice is sort of left out in the instructions. It just says combine all ingredients. (I forgot the lemon juice the first time!)
Otherwise in love with this recipe. Adding to my repertoire. 🙂
HI! thanks for letting me know, I changed the recipe format and some things didn’t change over correctly.
You have officially hit us in our soft spot, we are obsessed with anything that has lemons and blueberries! We’ve never made a loaf before but are suddenly inspired to try this out!
ISA Professional
Oh my word, girl! THis looks AMAZING. Yummmmmm! Adding this to my recipe list for sure.
I love lemon poppy seed anything. I’ve never tried it with blueberry before but I have to try it asap! Looks fantastic!
omg so gorgeous and I bet so very tasty as well! Blueberries are my absolute favorite , totally baking this
This looks SO good! I love trying new recipes, need to try this one!
Yum this looks exceptional, I can’t wait to try it! Delish 🙂
It looks amazing! I bet it’s delicious. Does it have the texture of a muffin? Blueberry muffins are my favorite ever and I can imagine that this loaf is a biiiiiiig blueberry muffin.
I love your food posts, they’re always so inspiring. Blueberries are so delicious right now, I’m going to have to give this one a go (great to know it goes with wine haha!)
Yumm.. This recipe looks so delicious and I would love to try it today. Thanks for sharing!!
You don’t know how much I love blueberries. Keep being a good daughter! Haha. I love that it’s perfect with wine. Have to try this. 🙂
Yum Yum, a must try! Perfect for Sunday morning treat!
This looks so yummy. I have pinned it. Thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
I’ve never had poppy seeds before, but I would love to try this. Looks like a great recipe for using summer berries!
Xoxo,
Amanda
trulyyoursa.com
This looks delicious! I’m a big fan of berries and love that it’s berry season too!
Kristin
The Blush Blonde
This looks SO delicious! I wish I could grab it from your plate. Poppy seeds are a healthy option and I like them in my cakes.
Looks great , MAKE IT VEGAN- SKIP the EGGS, USE ALMOND, SOY, CASHEW OR COCONUT MILK, SKIP THE BUTTER- USE ANY VEG. OIL, OR MARGARINE- IF U CAN FIND ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY PALM OIL. USE OF PALM OIL IS CAUSING THE FORESTS OF BORNEO TO BE DESTROYED – THOSE FORESTS R THE ONLY HOME OF ORANGUTANS- PLEASE WATCH ORANGUTAN ISLAND THEY R LOSING ALL THIER FOREST HOMES & R BEING MURDERED, ORPHANED ABUSED, HOMELESS.
Looks great – make it VEGAN- USE ALMOND or SOY or COCONUT or CASHEW MILK- SKIP THE BUTTER USE ANY VEG. OIL or margarine that does not contain PALM OIL- WHICH IS DESTROYING THE FORESTS THAT R THE ONLY HOME OF ORANGUTANS.
Wow this looks incredible! I could eat this entire loaf:) It would also make the perfect hostess gift to bring someone!
1. This looks amazing.
2. You’re photos are always fabulous.
3. Now I’m hungry.
This looks PERFECT! I need that heart eye emoji here… Lemon is my fave, and blueberry bread yes! So combine them? Lovely.
This looks soooo yummy! Going to make this weekend!
Omg, yesssssss! I’m making this in the morning!
This looks incredible! Later on this summer I will definitely have to try to make this when its blueberry picking season!
Thank you!
Thank you!
oh my this bread looks oh so amazing!!!!!! beautiful photography!
kelseybang.com
oh my this bread looks oh so amazing!!!!!! beautiful photography!
kelseybang.com
Thank you Kelsey!
Thank you Kelsey!
Would love a slice right now please! 🙂
I always want a couple slices 🙂
I always want a couple slices 🙂
Would love a slice right now please! 🙂
This looks amazing! Your photos are always so gorgeous!
xo Ashley
Thank you so much Ashley!
Thank you so much Ashley!
This looks delicious!! Need to try this recipe out!
xoxo
Amy | Pastel N Pink
Thank you Amy, I hope you try and help me know what you think!
Thank you Amy, I hope you try and help me know what you think!
This looks delicious!! Need to try this recipe out!
xoxo
Amy | Pastel N Pink
This is so pretty, and it looks amazing. I would love to try some.
Thank you Sophia!
Thank you Sophia!
Oh my goodness, I need to try this recipe. We eat fresh blueberries everyday, this would for sure be a hit with our family.
Thank you so much Jenn!
Thank you so much Jenn!
This looks like an interesting receipe to try out. I would forward it to my mum and maybe this sunday would be our baking day together.
How fun! Hope you enjoy it!
How fun! Hope you enjoy it!
This looks like a great recipe to give a try! Loving the idea of blueberry and lemon!
Thank you Brandy!
Thank you Brandy!
Awe thank you so much Mikayla!!!
Oh my friend is going to love this recipe! She has a bake sale for her children coming up and she’s been wanting to make something with berries. Thanks!
Thank you!
Hahah Ill have to send you some!! but it’s so easy to make!! Thank you so much Anna!
I would love this! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
– Elise | https://www.prettyandfun.com
Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy!!
This looks and sounds so delicious!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
Thank you!
Now this sounds amazing. I’d love to bake up a loaf of this for the family. Those flavors are perfect!
Awe thank you Liz!!!
I love poppy seed muffins! This looks like a delicious recipe that my family would love. Perfect for Sunday brunch.
They are my favourite too! Thank you so much for stopping by Pam!
This looks so delicious! Thanks for the recipe!!
Adi xx
http://www.fancycorrectitude.com
Thank you!
Lemons and blueberries are always a winning combo! I bet this is amazing! I’ll have to try it!
its by far my favourite combo!
This recipe looks absolutely delicious!! Can’t wait to try it with some coffee!
-Kelsie
http://www.designlifediaires.com
Thank you Kelsie!
Looks absolutely delicious, Bella!
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Thank you Carrie!! you can also make it gluten free and sugar free 🙂
This looks so geed! Berries are always such a fun addition to coffee/pound cake type items. I too love to stock up while they aren’t outrageously priced!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I do the same thing!! I tend to freeze a bunch while they are slow priced!! Thank you so much Amy!
I love everything lemon poppyseed and your blueberry addition looks incredible!
Thank you!
This looks so delicious. I’m going to make a vegan version tomorrow. Or even today.
Sounds great!! let me know how it goes!
Total yumminess! This looks great Bella!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thank you lovely!
Blueberries are’t in season yet when they are I will be making this for my family.
Thank you Candy!
This looks like such a delicious loaf! I love the combination of lemon and blueberry, so thisi s a must-try for me! Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Jenn!
This recipe sounds delicious. Can I use frozen blueberries? Can I use this in mini loaves pans?
hi! Yes, you can use frozen berries. I have not used mini loaf pans, but that will work. You will just need to reduce the cooking time. I would suggest just checking until done. The cooking time will depand on the size of mini loaf pans you use.
OMG! This looks so good, Bella! You are one fantastic baker! PS: Just emailed you back! 🙂
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thank you Vanessa!! hehe I got it 🙂
I wish I could bake as well as you and I adore blueberry so this loaf would be perfect. It reminds me of a fruit and malt loaf.
Thank you Ana!
This looks so good, Bella! Wish I was eating a slice right now with my evening cup of coffee. It would be perfect!
http://www.thesparklingdarling.com
That would such a good combo!!
I love lemon, blueberries, poppyseed AND bread! Together, this would be incredible! Thanks for the super easy to follow recipe!
Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, this looks amazing! I will definitely have to make some soon.
xoxo, Jenny
Thank you Jenny! glad you enjoyed it
Wine and loaf bread! Yes please! I don’t eat much bread or carbs really but when I do I go all out. Definitely going to have to try this this weekend. 🙂
Right?! AHA Thank you so much!
My mother has a favorite bread it’s a lemon poppyseed bread! Her favorite fruit is blueberries, so you know this will be made the next time I see my mother.
How nice!!!
This looks so yummy! I’m always in awe of your food photography skills. This post is no exception!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Thank you Kayla!
This looks so delicious! I just watched the Bachelorette last night and would have loved to have this to munch on while freaking out about Chad! hahahah
Oh my don’t even get me started about chad!!! ahaha Thank you smooch for stopping by!
With my morning coffee, this would be perfect. Pinning for later. 🙂
Right?!
It looks sooooo yummyyy! I need to add this to my Pinterest board.
Thank you!
My husband loves poppy seeds and I love blueberries. This is a perfect loaf for us to share!
Thank you for stopping by!
This looks so delicious! I love poppyseeds so this would be perfect as lemon is one of my faves. Couldn’t hurt to have some more blueberries in my diet either! Yum
Yes so true! Thank you
This looks SO good! I love blueberry – anything! Pinning so I can try it soon!
Thank you!
omg this looks SO good!!!
xo
Lee Anne
Thank you so much Lee Anne!
That looks so delicious!! Ill have to try it!
Awe thank you so much!!!
So glad I’m not the only one who keeps the favorite child status by making dad food lol! Mine loves my pancakes! I LOVE blueberries, lemon and poppy seeds together, so this is perfect! Would never have thought to pair with wine, definitely going to try that!
They are such a good combo! Thank you so much for stopping by!
I love anything and everything lemon! and then you go in and add blueberries! Oh my!! Yum!! Pinning!
Penn&Quill || Robin
Thank you Robin!
Lemon and Blueberry go so well together – looks delish!
Thank you!
My mouth is watering right now. This looks delicious!!! I would totally try it!
Thanks a bunch!
I just bought blueberries! Your recipe sounds scrumptious and looks so delicious. Great for breakfast or dessert.
Thank you Shirley!
wow this looks so tasty! I think I have a project for this weekend!
Thank you!
I am wishing I had a loaf of this as I sit here this morning for breakfast…looks delicious!!!
Thank you so much!
Lemon and blueberries are one of my favorite flavor combinations. I want to make this and then eat the entire thing myself!!!
Thanks so much Robin!
I just love poppyseed baked goods! There’s just something about poppyseeds that floats my boat 😀 I bake for my bf (you know, to maintain my ”best gf ever” status, haha) Loved the post!
HAHA I love it!! Thank you so much for stopping by!