Preheat the oven to 180 C/ 350 F. Grease and line the loaf tin (7"x 3.25") with parchment paper.

In a bowl, fitted with paddle attachment on a stand mixer. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 

Add and beat one egg at a time. Add the mandarin juice and zest and whisk. 

Sift the dry ingredients (AP Flour and Baking powder) into the wet ingredients. Mix until completely incorporated.

Add and fold the poppy seeds into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared tin. I added fresh mandarin slices to be baked on the loaf, you can also add it after the loaf is baked like a garnish instead. 

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check with a skewer to see if completely baked. 

Add all the ingredients in a pan. Heat and cook on low heat until the sugar is dissolved and is syrupy and thick. 

Pour the hot syrup or brush it on the loaf. Enjoy with a cuppa!