i didn't make any new years resolutions, i never seem to.
february resolutions sound less intimidating
shall i february resolute?
my february resolutions are for things like, eat at son of a gun, walk more, perfect some kind of carrot muffin, stop thinking so much about what other people are doing..
onward to baking!
there are things i bake because they're fun to make.
there are things i bake because i want to try new things.
there are things i bake because it's my job and i have to.
and then there are the things i make because that's just all i want to eat.
the minute that i start thinking about almond poppyseed anything, i get unnatural food tunnel vision. it's all i want and all i need.
this issue directly relates to costco and my youth.
my mom was a fiend for costco and their muffins. the almond poppyseed was my everything.
i'd call dibs on the whole row. i'd scrape the muffin paper with my teeth.
little did my scrawny middle school self know that she would one day grow up to be a baker and spend a good chunk of life obsessing over making a breakfast bread as good as costco.
it needs to be perfectly moist and very speckly.
it must taste as good as almond extract smells, and live up to all my childhood flavor memories.
i think i did it.
Almond Poppy Seed Loaf
adapted from the girl who ate everything
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup almond meal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp poppy seeds
1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
preheat the oven to 350. line two 8-9 inch loaf pans with parchment and grease (i used a long 16 inch loaf pan). combine the flour, almond meal, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds. in another large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, extracts, and melted butter, mix well. add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. scrape into prepared pan/pans and bake for about 50-60 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.
for glaze:
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp unsalted butter
pour all ingredients into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. pour glaze over warm bread.
