Sweet Tea Bread with Lemon Glaze

Sweet tea, a favorite beverage of the south, baked into a delicious lemon glazed bread.

Sweet Tea Bread with Lemon Glaze

My very first post, Raspberry Coffee Bread, was June 30th. Seems like eons have passed, even though it was only two short months ago. I have learned so much about this blogging business. I also know that it is only one percent of what I need to know. I am also fairly certain that blogging is an evergrowing world of which will I will always be trying to absorb new and useful information. I'm okay with that. I consider this an adventure in

learning, exploring and making new friends. My favorite parts of this adventure, sharing with my readers. You are out there, right? Hello, hello, hello... (Hint, hint-You can follow by email. Just fill in that little box, that reads follow by email, on the right side of your screen with your email info. I will be ever so thankful! That was said in my best southern belle accent.) My first post I created a perfectly moist bread modeled after my favorite coffee drink. As promised in that first post, I am now bringing you a delicious treat made with the beverage I could not conceive of living without, sweet tea. As an added bonus for this anniversary, tea time entertainment for your pleasure, and my embarassment.

True story. My husband and I went to visit an elderly lady in our neighborhood, just to check on her. She had recently suffered several very tragic events in her life. One or the other of us would often walk up in the evening just to see if there was anything she needed. On this particular night, we both went and she invited us in to chat. We couldn't say no. After being there for a few moments, she offered us a carbonated drink. I refused, laughing, telling her I was a tea-a-holic; a phrase I often used to describe my addiction to sweet tea. She looked at me and said, "You're a what honey"? I knew at that moment there was no turning back, she had thought I said alcoholic. I tried explaining what I had said, and offered up stories of the many gallons of tea I made each week. I believe to this day, it was all to no avail. She was still looking at me sideways and smiling sweetly. She was sticking to the first thing she thought she had heard. I think she may have told the neighbors. Thank goodness, we moved shortly after that. Moral of the story, I rarely call myself a tea-a-holic to anyone other than my husband now. 

As soon as you are through chuckling, we can move on to this lemon glazed, tea infused goodness. No one would ever guess that this is made without any oils or butters. A beautiful dense, but moist bread that imparts a perfect tea flavor. A great bread for breakfast, brunch or just to snack on. Not overly sweet and quick to put together. If you are a sweet tea-a-holic, umm, lover, don't miss out on your chance to enjoy it in a new way!

Sweet Tea Bread w/ Lemon Glaze

For Bread: 1 and 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour 2/3 Cup Strong Brewed Tea * 2/3 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce 2 Eggs 1/2 Cup Sugar 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder 1/2 Teaspoon Salt For Lemon Glaze: 3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar 1-2 Tablespoons Tea 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest *Measure one cup of heated water with one family size tea bag for a minimum of 30 minutes. Make sure this is to room temperature before using. Only 2/3 of the cup will be used for the bread, reserve balance to make glaze. You will probably have a very small amount left over after making bread and glaze. No worries, this is okay. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray loaf pan with nonstick spray. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Whisk to combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl combine applesauce, tea, sugar and eggs; mixing to combine. Add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. Using toothpick test to check for doneness. Depending on how your oven bakes, you may need a few minutes more or less. Once bread has completely cooled, make glaze. To make glaze combine powdered sugar, zest and one tablespoon of the reserved tea. If glaze is too thick, add more tea a drop or two at the time until desired consistency. Pour on bread.

©Christy’s Cooking Creations. Please do not use my images without prior consent. Please link back to this post even if recreating and posting this recipe in your own words.

Perfect for brunch!