Description
A light, refreshing treat with a perfect balance of tangy lemon and the delightful crunch of poppy seeds. Whether you’re baking a cake, muffins, or a loaf, this simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your baking pan (loaf pan, cake pan, or muffin tin) with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Then, mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes for muffins or 45-50 minutes for loaf/cake. Use a toothpick to check for doneness.
- Cool and Serve: Let your baked goods cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Lemon zest: Be sure to use only the yellow part of the lemon peel for zest, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Make it extra moist: Add a simple lemon glaze for an extra touch of sweetness. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice for a quick glaze.
- Don’t overmix: Stir until ingredients are just combined to avoid a dense texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg