Poppyseed Bread from the not so Desperate Housewives

My mother-in-law Sheri has a large tight knit group of friends that have been together through the thick and thin of each other's lives. They remind me of the Desperate Housewives without the desperate part. Okay so the only resemblance to the Desperate Housewives is probably the fact that they all live by each other and know everything about each other. The women from Steel Magnolias would be a better fitting description.

These women have such a history together and know the in and outs of each other's family, kids, hobbies, work, fears, and loves. They've been together through babies, marriages, deaths, and even cancer. These women have been through it ALL and have been there to support each other along the way. They are all incredibly STRONG women with strong values and opinions. After marrying my husband they've now invested in me, my life, and my kids. They've taught me what it takes to be a good friend and I appreciate that.

There's something special bond between the women over there in Thornton that can't be fabricated. Whether it's camping out together for the Nordstrom opening or taking lunch to a friend that's having a bad day...they do it together.

Last time I was home I went to a bridal shower where once again they were all there supporting each other and I started eating this bread. Almost a loaf later shoved in my mouth, I stopped and had to find out who had made it. The butter and almond flavor is to die for. Our family friend Susie Powers made it and offered to give me the recipe. She said it's a staple at all of their functions. I laughed when she emailed me the recipe because she gave two of her friends credit for the recipe. They not only share lives...they even share recipes!

The best part of this bread is the crusty glazed top. Mmmm!

                    

Poppyseed Bread

by Karen Easdon and Martha McMullin

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

1 1/8 cups cooking oil

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 T. poppy seeds

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp butter flavoring extract (or 1 1/2 tsp melted butter can be substituted)

Mix all together. Pour into greased and floured baking pans. Makes 6 small loaves or 2 large loaves. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes for large pans and less for smaller pans. If you have a dark metal pan make sure to bake it for less time at a lower temperature. I overdid this batch a little bit because I used a dark pan. I like the disposable foil bread pans the best.

Glaze:

1/4 cup orange juice

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp butter flavor extract (or 1 1/2 tsp melted butter can be substituted)

Pour all ingredients into a small saucepan and let cook on stove on medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove bread from pans and pour glaze over warm bread. Use knife or spatula to bring the glaze that has run off up and over the warm bread until it stays on.