I like pink things.
Pink clothes, hot pink heels, pink frosted cupcakes and pretty pink bowls. Valentine’s Day? It’s my favorite and I like to go all out….starting weeks before. I have no shame. And sweet citrus bread that’s practically oozing with pink blood orange glaze is the perfect thing to serve up for a special Valentine’s Day breakfast, don’t you think?
I’m lucky enough to have a meyer lemon tree in my backyard (read: my neighbor has a meyer lemon tree in her backyard that she let’s me pick from whenever I like) and just love their tangy, sweet juice in everything from cakes, to breads to pasta dishes. If you’ve never tried using meyer lemons before, now is the best time to start! These plump lemons are in season now and, for the most part, are readily available at your local grocery store or farmer’s market.
This sweet bread or “tea cake” as we would call it down South, is quick to bake up and tastes even better the next day after the flavors have a little time to rest.
If you’re planning on making it for Valentine’s Day breakfast, I would definitely opt to bake it off the night before then slice it up and serve it with fresh strawberries and some pomegranate-studded Greek yogurt for a special breakfast treat.
And the glaze! Oh, the glaze. RUN to the market this instant and pick up a few blood oranges. You’ll thank me later—probably when you’re running around the kitchen like a crazy person as a result of a blood orange glaze-induced sugar high. I’ve been there!
Extra glaze would be lovely drizzled on big, soft sugar cookies, or let’s be honest, slurped by the spoonful.
Meyer Lemon Bread with Blood Orange Glaze
makes 1 loaf
Ingredients:
for bread—
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed meyer lemon juice (from about 3 meyer lemons)
1 tsp meyer lemon zest
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
for glaze—
1/2 blood orange, juiced
enough powdered sugar to make a thick glaze
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and continue beating until smooth. With mixer on low, slowly drizzle in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add half of the dry ingredients alternately with the milk to the butter mixture. Continue with the other half of the flour and milk and beat until smooth
Transfer to a greased loaf pan and bake for one hour and ten minutes, or until deeply golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely before drizzling with glaze.
To make glaze, combine the blood orange juice with powdered sugar. Drizzle over top.
Time:
1.5 hours
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{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! This looks so great. Do you think it would work if I used regular lemons, not Meyer lemons?
Yes!
Is there a difference in the flavor of Meyer vs regular lemons? I was wondering the same thing as Mary for that reason…thanks
Meyer lemons have a bit of a floral undertone and are sweeter than regular lemons (not as sour and bitter). However, you can totally use regular lemons in this recipe if you can’t find meyers!
Holy yum Jenna! I think I could eat a bowl of that blood orange glaze by itself!
This looks incredible…tart and sweet to the max! 
P.S. I’m so jealous that you have a meyer lemon tree. How cool!
Oh I love pink things, especially pink icing!
I’d love to make this but would regular lemons work in place of the meyers?
Thanks Jenna!
Yes, absolutely.
I love love love that pink glaze especially pared with a lemony bread. Just simply delicious!
Hi Jenna,
I’d like to ask a blog/personal question. How many blogs do you follow in your reader? I’m curious about the number of blogs I read compared to others and think I need to do some major slashing. But I’m addicted to them. Do you read them during the day or at a certain hour? Do you read any at all?
Also, have you ever tried “pintinterest”. I’m not sure what it is about, but is it worth the joining or just a waste of time?
Thanks!
Just my 2 cents: I don’t have anything in a google reader! If you’re reading so many blogs and feel “addicted”, then you should ask yourself why you are reading them and how are they helping you? Don’t live your life vicariously through someone else or have them answer your own questions. A book I highly recommend is The Digital Diet. Think about what you want in life because life is too short!
That’s something to think about and thank you for your perspective!
Jen, can I ask you what blogs you read then and how? A google reader is easy to just click into so that I don’t have to type in various URL’s. How do you choose which blogs to follow if you don’t put them in a reader? Wouldn’t it be time-consuming to type in Jenna’s URL daily? I think I will cut these blogs down. I’ve never considered why I read them, I think I first started reading them a year ago when I was looking to lose my freshman 30. If I think about it, I think I’d like to follow some positive food and life influential blogs (I think that is why I am considering slashing my blog count because more and more of them are very focused on purification or dietary elimination or restriction.) I was thinking Jenna’s, KathEats, and PBFingers. But are there any others that you feel show positive things?
I don’t really read blogs. Not enough to need a reader – and if it takes too long to type in a URL – then you are reading too many! I don’t read what I ate/did/wore blogs, so not the 2 that you mentioned. I usually read the news online and occasional websites. Jenna’s is one that I check as I see it as more of a site vs. a “blog”. It has a focus, photography and she keeps her personal life private. Now – no more questions – you’re taking over her comments! It sounds like you’re thinking too much – don’t!
Just randomly jumping in here! I used to have the blogs I read bookmarked and would suggest that as a starting point once you cut some of the blogs off your list. That way, you’ll have the URLs already ‘typed-up’ but you won’t be able to see when and how many times people have posted. This might help lower the temptation to check posts immediately. Just a thought! I would really encourage you to cut down the time you spend on blogs though…I had some issues with that as well and let me tell you, I realized pretty quickly that I could get the gist of posts w/o having to read every word AND that so many blogs and posts are incredibly similar. You’ll see that you don’t need to do this anymore!
Thanks!
I like Jenna’s blog because I like her quick-bread recipes (anyone that uses white flour is good in my book). And I like Healthy Tipping Point because I like OB and her breakfasts (real food!). I think I got sick of seeing so many blogs that only eat protein powders and breakfast smoothies or that exercise a lot. I guess I’m not like that and it gets boring. Thanks Rachel!
I have about five blogs that I read daily—a lot of my friends are also bloggers and I like to keep up with them that way!
I also love pinterest…try it!
Thanks Jenna. 1-5 blogs sound like a good number. The less, the better. I think I will put pinterest on hold for now, maybe some other time. I think I need to consider that holy grail, yet scary question of what I really want out of life. I wish that were an easy to answer.
Thank you for the bread recipe Jenna, I like these.
Mmm, give me more reasons to buy blood oranges. I went through 4 in 2 days this week. I’m kicking myself for not buying more!
The meyer lemon and blood orange combination sounds awesome. How great to have access to a lemon tree in your backyard?! When I lived in SF, my neighbor had one that kind of dipped over their fence into my yard, but I was always too scared to pick one. Such a shame too, because I don’t think they did anything with them!
Oh my, I’m already obsessed with blood oranges and now you’ve given me another reason to buy even more. This sounds delicious, and these are such gorgeous photos! PS. I think we’d get on well – I also love pink things, especially when they’re heels or food-related!
love the pink in this recipe!
I’m a sucker for a solid yellow/pink fruit combo in desserts. Meyer lemon and blood orange sounds ridiculously good!
So jealous that you have a lemon tree in your backyard! This is so cute for Valentine’s Day. Great idea for the glaze on sugar cookies. I’m thinking maybe using it on your “Crack Walmart Cookies.” So good!
Your photos make my day! The best!
so pretty! The colour is fantastic
I unabashedly love the pink girly stuff as well. That glaze is beautiful, and it would be perfect for Valentine’s Party this weekend! Hope you’ve got some more flirty pink recipes up your sleeve too
I love pink, too. So much so that when I go to Dunkin Donuts I order the strawberry one because it’s pink. I’m betting that a donut with this blood orange glaze could be pretty amazing!
Ooh…I’m a pink girl too! And it’s so unexpected here on this citrusy loaf. Fabulous recipe Jenna!
I like pink things too – this looks so moist and refreshing! Perfect for V-day morning… with a brownie.
I wish There were Meyer lemons ready for my fingertips to grab. We don’t have them anywhere inEastern WA. I will have to settle for lemons. I like glazes with natural colors… This is so pretty!
We both posted Meyer lemon recipes today. Love it!
great minds think alike
This would make great stuffed French toast. It looks so gorgeous!
omg. come over…now!
This looks fantastic!!
The top crust looks perfectly crispy… my absolute favorite part of lemon breads! Especially with that sweet and tangy glaze! I’ve been doing a lot of gluten free cooking… experimenting with coconut flour and I have felt awesome. I plan to stick to my guns for now because I feel so great, but have definitely been inspired to make some sort of lemon loaf with a tangy orange glaze! Maybe millet flour would lend itself well? We shall see!
you should do another food photography post so we can find out what you learned!
Ummm this looks absolutely amazing!! Gorgeous pictures and lemon bread has to be one of my favorites! Great recipe! xoxo
I love the pink glaze. This looks delicious!
This is 100% my kind of baked good. I’ve baked so much with Meyer lemons this year (love their sweetness) and my favourite cake is a blood orange olive oil one. This is just screaming my name. Love it.
you are so lucky to have a meyer lemon tree in your backyard!! how cool!! This looks so colorful and fun!
This is like a citrus superstar recipe with the blood orange & meyer lemons. Love it!
I’m totally making this today! I love that meyer lemons are so readily available at this time of year. We lucked out and recently moved to a little cottage style apartment and I’ve finally got room for a few of those dwarf potted fruit trees on my patio – I think a trip to the nursery to get a meyer lemon tree is in order.
I love the combination of Meyer lemons and blood oranges. It’s my favorite berry salad topping. Well, with a bit of agave for sweetness. Yum.
between you and Maria on Two Peas and their Pod, I now have added meyer lemons to my grocery list. This sounds SO good with pomegranate greek yogurt. you’re a genius.
This is perfect for valentine’s day. I would love to try it with a raspberry glaze, I bet the lemon/raspberry combo would be AWESOME.
Hot pink glaze!?! How could you go wrong! I love the flavor combo here – it looks (and I’m sure tastes!) fantastic!
i love that meyer lemon season has finally returned! this is the perfect valentine’s treat and I’m a sucker for pink frosting
Pinning this recipe! This looks delicious.
I made your almond applesauce bread a few weeks ago. My family and I loved it so much I now make a loaf of it every Sunday for the week! Thanks for the great recipe!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Love the Blood Oranges ~ And YES, I just started doing Pinterest! Already found a wealth of info that I can use on the Boards!
I love pink things too and this looks fantastic! I just discovered meyer lemons and posted cupcakes with meyer lemon curd earlier today. Meyer lemon is definitely having its moment!
Beautiful! I looooove that pink!
That glaze is just gorgeous, Jenna! Both the color and I bet the flavor is awesome.
You combined two fave things: blood oranges and meyer lemons into one recipe. This looks so good!
That glaze is truly very pretty. Unfortunately I have searched and searched and cannot find meyer lemons. Although I still need to try the farmers market, I just forget to go because it is not near by.
Ugh this look so delicious I can’t stand it!!
And I’m still mad that my local grocery store does not carry blood oranges. What the what?! I’m thisclose to driving 41 miles to Whole Foods and buying every single blood orange in stock.
Look at that pretty pink frosting! I love!
I love how good this looks AND that it’s easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Meyer lemons are my favourite. I might have to find some time to make this or a taste au citron for my Valentine!
I could drink that glaze! No lie. I love how simple this recipe is–thanks for sharing!
I love love love Blood Oranges. They are gorgeous and so flavorful. Will definitely be incorporating them into cooking and baking in the near future. And I love breads like this one…such a good afternoon snack with a cup of tea.
this is so beautiful. just beautiful.
I’d love to see a recipe for some lemon sugar cookies that this glaze could be used on!
I can’t wait to make this. My husband loves ANYTHING that is made with lemons.
I like the advice you gave your reader about only reading a few blogs. As a family therapist, I can tell you your advice was “spot on” I love reading blogs (especially yours ) but any hobbies we have should enhance our life and not become a way to escape from it. It sounds like your reader was reading them for a healthy reason, though.
Just a note of encouragement to keep up the good work…. Maybe you have another career up your sleeve. Just a thought !
I can’t believe how pink you were able to get that glaze! Tried to buy some blood oranges the other day, and they were regular oranges. Fail.
Your photos are so so beautfiul!!!
Stunning photos. And what a lovely recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Whoa. That GLAZE…that is all.
I have a giant bag od meyer lemons from the tree at work sitting on my counter. They have just been waiting for a recipe like this! Thank you!
Oh yum! Seriously. I just finished off the last of our blood red oranges, but I’m thinkin’ I’ll have to buy some more. Also, I have been wanting to make your Wal-Mart crack cookies since you posted them a year or so ago. The word “crack cookies” is a part of my lingo everytime I see them at the grocery store!
i love pink things. they make me happy. your lemon photo is amazing! that makes me happy too.
I made something similar this weekend but it totally failed–this looks amazing!
I want to face-plant into that delicious bread and glaze!!! Love
Wow – I just want to lick that glaze up! So pretty in pink, and sounds so delicious! I need to get meyer lemons and blood oranges as quickly as possible!
Must make this NOW.
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I addded poppyseeds to the batter for an extra element
Thanks for sharing.
I finally have some Meyer lemons, small town, they are harder to find. I think I will make this tomorrow!
This bread is amazing! And even though I forgot the baking powder-duh-it still tastes delicious!!
hahahaha oh no! I’m so glad it still turned out yummy!
Can I tell you how jealous I am that you have Meyer lemons in your back yard?? SO jealous!! This looks awesome.
I LOVE pink things! My eye totally went to that beautiful Blood Orange Glaze.
That fluffy bread and that gorgeous glaze? Love this. I love the double citrus flavor wallop, too.
That glaze is so gorgeous!
Wow that glaze is beautiful.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this recipe. Perfect timing for me. I have about a dozen Meyer Lemons from the Farmers Market. I will let you know how it turns out.
I see this for breakfast for sure.
Looks fantastic. Just the pictures of the glaze make my mouth water!
I have absolutely eaten blood orange glaze by the spoonful! So good!
Jenna, I went to the market today. Guess what? NO blood oranges. Any other kind a glaze I could use?
You could just use powdered sugar and a teeny bit of milk for a white glaze—or use more lemon juice and powdered sugar for a tarter glaze.
Jenna, I was so awed by this and RAN to the store to buy blood oranges. I was surprised that they were even there. Made an inspired version of your cake and made the glaze. The cake is still cooling, I’m nervous coz I don’t know how it will turn out with all the substitutions I made… but the glaze, oh I could drink the glaze at any moment and really go sugar crazy.
This is gorgeous, and I have meyer lemons and blood oranges in my refrigerator right now. Clearly I must make this.
Not much of a baker but i have had success with pound cakes and stuff before and this looks AMAZING. If i was to make it tonight as we have friends coming saturday, would i want to wait to glaze it?
I made the bread today (but without the glaze in an effort to be more healthy) and it was absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
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