I need 'cake' for a tish last week and decide this is the perfect opportunity to make tea breads for the website. Not only will I have an assortment of beautiful loaves, I'll have some new photos to upload. Tea breads are simple and fast to make. Probably faster than writing about making them. And, they are great to stash in the freezer for unexpected company, an easy Shabbat dessert or a breakfast treat.

Rediscovering the "Ukrainian Poppy Seed Loaf" in Susan G. Purdy's "A Piece of Cake", I judge by the shambles the book is in that I used it for more than one cake. Yep, when I scale back the recipe if lines up with her Lemon Tea Cake 1. This is a beautiful loaf with a light crumb and fresh lemon scent. I can't eat walnuts anymore, can't even touch them but I am resistant to substituting the nuts. Walnuts are the perfect match for the lemon.

As a fashion designer, we'd develop lines with a core of traditional basics, add a few pieces with interesting twists and maybe top it all off with something a bit more upscale. This is upscale with the fresh lemon juice and zest, chopped walnuts and delicate double lemon glaze. Classic quality and timeless elegance - this is no bargain basement lemon loaf. This is NOT mass produced lemon loaf. Nor is it cake mix lemon loaf. So, before you yawn and move along; consider making this Lemon Walnut Tea Bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted margarine (or butter for dairy)
• 1 1/8 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup soy milk (or milk for dairy)
• 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts

Hot Glaze:

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Lemon Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• 2 - 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for topping

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350' F. Spray 2 x 8" loaf pans with non-stick spray. Set aside. Prep lemon zest and lemon juice for the loaves and the glazes. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix well.

Add the flour in 1/4ths and the soy milk in 1/3rds, alternating beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape the bowl and add the chopped walnuts.

Make the Lemon Glaze. Spread on the slightly warm loaves. Sprinkle with the additional chopped walnuts. Cool and remove from the pans. To freeze, wrap well.

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Lemon Walnut Tea Bread