Lemon and poppy seed cake is a classic combination that offers a delightful balance of zesty lemon and crunchy poppy seeds. Here's a recipe to make this delicious and moist cake:
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
- Zest of 2 large lemons
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra flavor)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Lemon zest
- Poppy seeds
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
2. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and pourable. Add more lemon juice if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Optionally, stir in some lemon zest for extra flavor.
4. Glaze and Garnish:
- Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top.
- Garnish with additional lemon zest and poppy seeds if desired.
Enjoy your lemon and poppy seed cake! It’s perfect for a light dessert, afternoon tea, or any time you want a refreshing and flavorful treat.