Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Delicious lemon poppy seed pound cake with lemon glaze. If you like tangy lemon desserts then follow my recipe to make this cake as moist as a pound cake with a tender texture, rich in butter and the good lemon flavor.

this recipe

For all the lemon lovers out there, here is my best lemon poppy seed pound cake recipe. This lemon cake has nothing to envy to the classic lemon pound cake.

This lemon and poppy seed pound cake also has a wonderful soft, moist texture like a pound cake, thanks to the sour cream and that delicious lemon flavor.

My lemon poppy seed cake comes with a lemon juice flavored glaze that is very easy to make and that adds a nice topping on this cake in addition to the little seeds poppy seeds that add style to this lemon cake and give it a light crunchy texture in the mouth.

This lemon poppy seed pound cake is quick and easy to make and is sure to please anyone who loves tangy desserts.

Add some red fruits, raspberries or blueberries with whipped cream and you have a fabulous dessert for your summer lunches.

Why you'll love this recipe

The recipe for lemon and poppy seed cake is very easy to make and with simple ingredients that we all have in our cupboards. It has a texture very similar to pound cake recipes, very rich in butter and melting in the mouth.

Follow the recipe and all my instructions to make a success of your lemon poppy cake and keep all its softness.

Ingredients you need for this recipe

• Butter: Unsalted butter or use melted and cooled butter.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar should not be used in place of flavored sugar, as it may alter the flavor of the lemon.
• Fresh Lemon juice and lemon zest: Use untreated and preferably organic fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
• Eggs: medium size and at room temperature
• Vanilla: Pure, liquid vanilla extract that can be replaced with a packet of vanilla sugar.
• Sour cream : The acidity of the sour cream plays an important role in the softness of this cake. You can replace it with fermented milk or plain yogurt.
• Flour: white wheat all purpose flour.
• Baking powder : For the softness or replace with baking soda.
• Salt: essential to bring out the flavors.
• Poppy seeds: Poppy seeds are added mainly for the decorative side of the cake, but they also add an extra texture in the mouth.
• Powdered sugar : To make the sugar glaze use powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar.

Optional

• Streusel or crumble: Add a crunchy topping to your cake. It is made with a mixture of sugar, flour, butter and almond meal. You can find the recipe on my pumpkin bread recipe.
• Fruit: red fruits, raspberries or blueberries. Add them at the end of the preparation of the batter for a fruity touch.

You will find the quantities and instructions in the recipe card further down on this page.

How to make Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

1. In a large bowl, place softened butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest.
2. With an electric mixer, mix at medium speed for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla and eggs in 2-3 additions, mixing well between each addition, still using a mixer at medium speed, until well incorporated with the other ingredients.

Tip: Use an electric mixer to make the mixture or your stand mixer.

• Add the sour cream and fresh lemon juice and mix again to incorporate them.
• Finish by adding the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, pinch of salt and poppy seeds.
• Mix with a flexible spatula until the mixture is homogeneous.

Tip: To incorporate the dry ingredients, do not use a mixer or you will over mix the batter and lose the softness of the cake.

At this stage the mixture may seem lumpy but that's normal, it's just the excess liquid that gives this texture.

Baking

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C and line with parchment paper a 10 inch loaf pan to make it easier to unmold.
2. Then pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with the back of a tablespoon to distribute the batter evenly in the corners of the tin.
3. Bake the lemon cake in the oven for about 50 to 55 minutes until it is golden brown on top.
4. When removed from the oven, let the lemon poppy seed pound cake cool completely in the pan before unmolding.

Tip: The cake is ready when the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.

Store and freeze instructions

Room temperature: You can store your lemon poppy seed cake at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place it in a storage box with an airtight lid to keep it soft and prevent it from drying out. Or you can place it directly in the refrigerator and keep it for a week.

In the freezer: Keep your lemon poppy seed pound cake in the freezer for even longer. Once baked and completely cooled, cut into slices and place in a box or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More lemon recipes

• Lemon Blueberry and Streusel Muffins
• Lemon Bundt Cake
• Lemon muffins with lemon glaze
• Lemon meringue tarts
• Lemon poppy seed muffins
• Lemon meringue cake
• Lemon curd
• Lemon curd tart

More loaf cake recipe

• Moist banana bread recipe
• Chocolate chip banana bread
• Double chocolate banana bread
• Chocolate banana muffins
• Banana walnut bread
• Pumpkin bread with streusel topping
• Carrot bread with cream cheese icing

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