Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Delight (Printable)

Moist citrus cake with poppy seeds and tangy lemon glaze

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
05 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 tbsp lemon zest

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
08 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
09 - 1/4 tsp salt
10 - 2 tbsp poppy seeds

→ Lemon Glaze

11 - 3/4 cup (90 g) powdered sugar
12 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
04 - Stir in the milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
07 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
08 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crumb stays impossibly moist for days thanks to the oil in the butter and a generous splash of fresh lemon juice.
  • Poppy seeds add this tiny, satisfying crunch that makes every bite more interesting than the last.
02 -
  • If you take the cake out too early it will sink in the center as it cools, so always trust the toothpick test over the timer.
  • Adding the glaze while the cake is still warm makes it absorb into the surface instead of sitting on top where it belongs.
03 -
  • Rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingertips before mixing to release the essential oils and distribute the flavor evenly through every bite.
  • Toast the poppy seeds in a dry skillet for about 90 seconds until fragrant and you will unlock a nutty depth most bakers never bother with.

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