Description
Bright, citrusy, and delightfully moist, this Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Bursting with fresh lemon flavor and a delicate crunch from poppy seeds, it’s finished with a simple lemon glaze that adds the perfect zing. Whether served with tea, at brunch, or as a sunny dessert, this cake is guaranteed to impress.
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Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp poppy seeds
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest (optional for extra zing)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease your cake pan and line with parchment paper if desired for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.
4. Set aside.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
5. In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Make the Batter
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
7. Do not overmix—stop as soon as no dry flour remains.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 40–50 minutes (loaf pan) or 30–35 minutes (round pan), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Step 6: Make the Lemon Glaze
11. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
12. Add more lemon juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
13. Stir in lemon zest if using.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
14. Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the top.
15. Allow the glaze to set for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use Fresh Lemons – Fresh juice and zest make a huge difference in flavor.
Room Temperature Ingredients – Eggs and buttermilk mix better at room temperature.
Don’t Overmix – Overmixing can make the cake dense rather than fluffy.
Test with Toothpick – Ensure the center is fully baked before removing.
Glaze When Cool – Applying glaze too early will cause it to melt into the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: American