How to Make Buttery Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

You will absolutely love this Buttery Lemon Poppy Seed Cake recipe, perfect for those who enjoy a delightful balance of sweetness and a tangy kick from fresh lemons. This cake is moist, tender, and offers a unique texture with the addition of poppy seeds. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of creating this scrumptious treat. Let’s get started!

To begin, gather your ingredients. You’ll need:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Before I start mixing, I like to preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This ensures that your cake will come out perfect without sticking to the pan.

Now, in a large mixing bowl, I combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a whisk, I mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution. In a separate bowl, I cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.

Next, I add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. To enhance the flavor, I incorporate the lemon zest and lemon juice at this stage. The acidity of the lemon juice complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Now comes the fun part! I slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. This helps to prevent overmixing, which keeps your cake tender. Once everything is well combined, I gently fold in the poppy seeds.

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With the batter ready, I pour it into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. I place it in the oven and bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma of this cake baking will fill your kitchen, and you’ll eagerly await its completion!

Once the cake is done, I let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, I carefully remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. If you want to add even more lemon goodness, you might consider drizzling a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice over the top once it’s cooled.

Finally, slice and serve your Buttery Lemon Poppy Seed Cake to family and friends. Enjoy the delicate flavors and delightful textures of each bite. This recipe is not just for special occasions, but a great treat for any day!

I hope you find joy in making this cake as much as I do!