Meta Description: Bake a loaf of moist and flavorful blueberry lemon almond quick bread. This easy recipe is perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, featuring a tender crumb and a bright citrus glaze.
🍋 A Loaf of Sunshine: My Love for Quick Bread
I’ve always been a bit intimidated by yeast breads. The kneading, the rising, the waiting—it all felt a little too much for my busy schedule. But then I discovered the magic of quick bread. It was a cold, rainy Saturday, and I was craving something warm and comforting. I had a basket of fresh blueberries, a lone lemon, and a bag of almonds in my pantry. In a moment of pure, hungry inspiration, I decided to toss them all into a batter. The result was a revelation: a perfectly moist, tender, and fragrant loaf that tasted like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
This blueberry lemon almond quick bread is a direct result of that brilliant idea. It takes a few simple ingredients and transforms them into a beautiful, delicious loaf that is perfect for breakfast, a coffee break, or a sweet dessert. The quick bread is incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the combination of yogurt and oil. The blueberries burst with a sweet, juicy flavor, while the lemon zest provides a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the sweetness. The sliced almonds on top add a wonderful crunch and a nutty flavor that ties everything together. It’s a testament to the idea that a homemade baked good doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need any special equipment or advanced baking skills. Just a couple of bowls, a whisk, and a loaf pan. It’s the kind of recipe you can pull out on a quiet weekend morning or whenever you have a craving for something sweet and satisfying. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes is so comforting and inviting. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or a long list of ingredients to make something truly special.
✅ Ingredients for a Delicious Loaf
This recipe uses a blend of simple, wholesome ingredients to create a rich and satisfying bread.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our bread.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides the perfect amount of sweetness.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Our leavening agent for a light and tender crumb.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps with browning and a tender texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: A pinch to balance and enhance all the flavors.
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt: Adds incredible moisture and a slight tanginess.1
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil: A key to achieving that wonderfully moist texture.
- 2 large eggs: Our binder, adding richness and structure.
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest: A must-have for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A warm, fragrant addition.
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries: For those sweet, juicy bursts of flavor.
- ¼ cup sliced almonds: For a beautiful, crunchy topping.
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar: The base for a sweet, simple glaze.
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: For a bright, tangy flavor that makes the glaze pop.
🍳 Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
Total preparation time: 15 minutes. Total cooking time: 55-65 minutes.
- Prep Your Pan and Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).2 Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your loaf comes out clean and perfect.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give it a good mix to make sure everything is evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Mix Everything Together: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
- Add the Blueberries: In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with about a tablespoon of flour from the dry mixture. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf. Gently fold the flour-coated blueberries into the batter.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the batter.
- Bake It: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: The bread is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top of the bread is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Cool Down: Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows it to firm up a bit. Then, carefully remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack before you glaze it.
- Make the Glaze: While the bread is cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth. You want a thick but pourable consistency. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or a few drops of lemon juice for a thinner one.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes, then slice and serve. Enjoy this delightful blueberry quick bread with a lemon glaze.
🌟 Pro Tips and Delicious Variations
This recipe is fantastic on its own, but you can easily tweak it to create your own signature loaf.
Additions and Swaps:
- Different Fruit: Don’t have blueberries? No problem! You can use raspberries, chopped strawberries, or a mix of berries. You could also use a different fruit, like chopped peaches or a diced apple.
- Nuts: No almonds? You can use chopped walnuts or pecans for a different kind of crunch and flavor.
- Citrus: Swap out the lemon zest for orange zest for a different citrusy twist.
- Yogurt: While plain Greek yogurt is recommended, you can use vanilla Greek yogurt for a sweeter loaf. Just be aware that it will add more sugar to the recipe.
Serving Suggestions:
- Coffee or Tea: A slice of this bread with a hot cup of coffee or a warm cup of herbal tea is the perfect way to start your day or enjoy an afternoon break.
- Butter: A simple slice with a pat of butter is a classic combination that you can’t go wrong with.
- Yogurt Parfait: Break up a few slices and layer them with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a fun and unexpected dessert or breakfast parfait.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just be sure to toss them with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter. Do not thaw them first, as they can bleed into the batter and turn the whole loaf a weird gray-blue color.
Why is my bread dense?
A dense loaf can happen for a few reasons. The most common is overmixing the batter. When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, you only want to mix until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing develops the gluten, which can lead to a tough, dense texture. Another reason could be that your baking powder or baking soda is old or expired. Make sure you’re using fresh leavening agents for the best results.
How do I store this bread?
This bread stays incredibly moist and fresh. You can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply unwrap it and let it come to room temperature.
Is this a healthy quick bread recipe?
While this recipe does contain sugar and oil, it also includes fresh fruit and almonds, which provide vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats. It’s a great option for a treat that is more nourishing than many store-bought baked goods. Moderation is key, of course, but you can feel good about indulging in this delicious homemade loaf.
| Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 12 slices) |
| Calories: 280 |
| Protein: 5g |
| Fat: 12g |
| Saturated Fat: 2g |
| Carbohydrates: 40g |
| Fiber: 2g |
| Sugar: 24g |
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and serving size.
❤️ Why This Loaf is a Keeper
There’s something deeply satisfying about baking a loaf of bread from scratch. It’s a simple act that fills your home with incredible smells and results in a delicious, comforting treat. This blueberry lemon almond quick bread is a perfect example of that. It’s a reliable, no-fuss recipe that consistently delivers a moist, tender, and flavorful loaf every time. It’s the kind of recipe that you’ll want to share with friends and family, and they will likely ask you for the recipe.
The combination of the sweet blueberries, the bright lemon, and the crunchy almonds creates a texture and flavor profile that is truly irresistible. It’s a fantastic solution for those moments when you’re craving something sweet but want a dessert that feels a little more grounded. It’s also an ideal way to use up fresh fruit from the garden or farmer’s market. And because it’s a quick bread, it’s so easy to slice and pack for a quick snack on the go.
I find that the act of baking this bread is almost meditative. It’s a simple task that prepares you for the joy of baking. And then, as the loaf bakes, the anticipation builds, and the warm aromas of lemon and vanilla fill the air. It’s a simple pleasure that makes a regular day feel a little more special. This recipe is also a great starting point for aspiring bakers. It’s easy to follow and the results are consistently fantastic, building confidence in the kitchen.
This isn’t just a recipe for bread; it’s a recipe for comfort and warmth. It’s about creating something delicious with your own hands, and sharing that warmth with the people you love. The best part is that this moist blueberry quick bread is so versatile, so you can make it your own every single time. Add a touch of different spice, a handful of dried cranberries, or a different nut. The possibilities are endless.
✨ Bake a Little Bit of Sunshine!
This blueberry lemon almond quick bread is a wonderful way to bring warmth and happiness to your home. It’s a simple recipe with a big payoff, delivering a moist, flavorful, and incredibly comforting loaf. It’s the kind of treat that feels like a hug from the inside out. Don’t wait for a special occasion to bake this. Make it for yourself on a random Tuesday, or bake it as a thoughtful gift for a friend.
I hope you’ll find as much joy in making and eating this bread as I have. What’s your favorite way to enjoy a slice of quick bread? Let me know! Happy baking!
