Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Here's how to whip up super moist lemon poppy seed muffin recipe bursting with fresh lemon flavor and crunchy poppy seeds, all topped with a tangy and simple lemon glaze. It's a quick, simple recipe you won't want to miss for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

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• Ingredients you need
• How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe
• Serving Suggestions
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• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

This recipe makes deliciously moist lemon poppy seed muffins, packed with the zesty taste of fresh lemons and the satisfying crunch of poppy seeds, all finished with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze.

Buttermilk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and poppy seeds are the key players in this recipe, each adding something special to makes super moist and tender muffins that are just irresistible.

Don't miss out on adding the sweet lemon glaze, made with fresh lemon juice, to your lemon poppyseed muffins. It's a game-changer, adding a zesty crunch on top that perfectly complements the muffins' tanginess like in this lemon muffin recipe or this lemon poppy seed pound cake.

Ingredients you need

You need these ingredients to make these glazed lemon poppy seed muffins:

• Butter: Use unsalted butter softened or melted butter but first cooled.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar, do not use flavored sugar.
• Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla and salt: Use pure vanilla extract and fine salt table to bring out all the flavors.
• Buttermilk: You can replace it with whole milk, Greek yogurt, or sour cream (see recipe notes).
• Flour: All purpose flour, which can be replaced by gluten-free flour such as rice or oat flour.
• Baking powder: A mixture of baking soda and baking powder to have muffins with a nice bump.
• Lemon juice and zest: Use fresh lemon juice, organic, untreated lemon zest. You can also replace the zest with lemon extract.
• Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds are added for decoration only, they don't add any extra flavor except a little crunch in the mouth. (you can soak them in water for 1 hour before starting the recipe, but it's not necessary)

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: In a large bowl, place softened butter with sugar and lemon zest. With an electric mixer or hand whisk, beat the mixture for about 2 to 3 minutes until smooth.

Step 2: Then add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix again to incorporate.

Step 3: Add the buttermilk and fresh lemon juice and mix with the hand mixer.

Step 4: Then add the flour mixture, flour, baking powder baking soda, salt and poppy seeds into the wet ingredients and mix this time with a rubber spatula to avoid over-mixing the cake batter.

Bake muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 428°F / 220°C and prepare a muffin pan with muffin cups.
2. Divide batter into the paper liners, filling to the brim with an ice-cream scoop.
3. Bake for 5 minutes, then lower the temperature to 392°F / 200°C and bake for an additional 15 to 18 minutes until the muffins have a nice bump and are golden brown on top.
4. Let the lemon poppy seed muffins cool a bit in the pan before removing them and letting them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Lemon glaze

• Place all ingredients, powdered sugar and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
• With a fork, vigorously beat the mixture until you have a thick but runny glaze.
• Use directly to decorate the lemon poppy seed muffin tops when completely cool.
• Sprinkle with poppy seeds and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

• Yogurt and Fresh Berries: Pair the muffins with a side of plain or vanilla yogurt and a mix of fresh berries for a delicious breakfast or dessert option.
• Lemon Curd or Honey: Offer a dollop of Lemon curd or a drizzle of honey on top of the muffins.
• Whipped Cream and Citrus Zest: Top the muffins with a light whipped cream and some extra lemon or orange zest.
• Butter or Cream Cheese: Serve them warm with a side of butter or cream cheese for those who love a rich, creamy complement to the muffin's citrus tang.
• Nutella or Chocolate Spread: For a sweet and unique twist, spread a thin layer of Nutella or any chocolate spread over the muffins.

More Muffin Recipes

I hope you love these lemon and poppy seed muffins. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

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