Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

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Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Yields: 1 Bundt cake

A sliced lemon poppy seed bundt cake on a white surface with blueberries and a lemon slice nearby.

How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Various baking ingredients, including eggs, butter, flour, sugar, poppy seeds, lemon zest, and liquids, are arranged in small bowls on a marble countertop.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp. Poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp. Powdered sugar

Lemon icing:

  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp milk or until it reaches the correct consistency.
A fork holds a bite of poppy seed cake on a white plate, with more cake and blueberries blurred in the background.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and salt.

Set aside.

  • A bowl of flour is centered, surrounded by a small bowl of lemon zest and another small bowl containing salt and baking powder on a marble surface.
  • A bowl of flour and a glass bowl with baking powder and sugar on a marble surface, with a small bowl of lemon zest nearby.
  • A white bowl containing flour, baking powder, and lemon zest sits on a white marble surface.

3. With a hand mixer, cream the butter until fluffy.

Add the sugar and cream for 4 minutes or until pale and fluffy.

  • A white mixing bowl with creamed butter, surrounded by bowls of flour with lemon zest and granulated sugar on a marble countertop.
  • A bowl of softened butter is in a white mixing bowl. A glass bowl with semolina is being poured in. Another bowl with flour and lemon zest is nearby on a marble countertop.
  • A white mixing bowl with creamed butter and sugar sits on a marble surface; nearby are a bowl of flour with lemon zest and slices of dried orange.

4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until combined.

Add vanilla and lemon juice.

Mix until incorporated.

  • A white bowl with three raw eggs is held above another bowl containing creamed batter on a marble countertop. Flour and lemon zest are visible in a separate bowl, with a dried citrus slice nearby.
  • A mixing bowl with creamed butter and sugar, partially mixed with eggs. Another bowl with eggs is being poured in. Flour and orange zest are visible in a separate bowl.
  • A white mixing bowl with creamed butter and sugar sits on a marble countertop, surrounded by a bowl of flour and dried orange slices.
  • A glass cup with vanilla extract is about to be poured into a white mixing bowl containing creamed butter and sugar on a marble countertop.
  • A glass bowl of lemon juice is being poured into a white mixing bowl containing creamed ingredients and vanilla extract on a marble countertop.
  • A mixing bowl with creamed batter sits on a marble surface next to a bowl of flour and orange zest, with dried orange slices nearby.

5. Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternating between the two, ending with the dry ingredients.

  • A bowl with flour and orange zest is being poured into a larger bowl containing a creamy batter on a marble countertop. A dried orange slice is visible nearby.
  • A white mixing bowl contains creamed batter with a mound of flour on top, set on a marble surface with dried orange slices nearby.
  • A white mixing bowl with creamed batter and an electric hand mixer with batter on the beaters, on a marble surface with dried orange slices nearby.
  • A white mixing bowl with creamed batter and a hand mixer, on a marble countertop with dried orange slices nearby.
  • A bowl of batter is being mixed while milk is being poured in from a glass container; a mixer, flour bowl, and dried orange slices are nearby.
  • A white mixing bowl with cake batter sits on a marble surface, surrounded by dried orange slices and a small glass bowl of poppy seeds.

6. Fold in the poppy seeds with a spatula.

  • A bowl of cake batter sits on a marble surface next to dried orange slices; a hand holds a cup of poppy seeds above the batter, ready to add them.
  • A white mixing bowl containing cake batter with poppy seeds on top, placed on a marble surface with two dried orange slices nearby.
  • A white mixing bowl with poppy seed cake batter sits on a marble surface, surrounded by a few slices of dried orange.

7. Grease a Bundt cake and fill with cake batter.

A white mixing bowl with cake batter is being poured into a greased bundt pan; a sliced orange sits on the marble countertop nearby.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

8. Mix together the 3 tbsp powdered sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice.

Brush on poppy seed cake while still warm but not hot.

9. For the glaze: In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk until it reaches a thick but spreadable consistency.

  • A bowl of powdered sugar, a spoon, dried orange slices, and a glass bowl containing lemon juice are arranged on a marble surface near a cooling rack.
  • Three bowls on a marble surface: one with yellow liquid, one with white liquid, and one with powdered sugar and a whisk.
  • A bowl of powdered sugar with a whisk next to a glass bowl containing lemon juice on a marble surface.
  • A glass bowl with melted butter is being mixed with milk from a measuring cup using a whisk on a marble surface.

If icing is clumpy, strain through a sieve.

Pour over cooled bundt cake and serve.

A poppy seed bundt cake on a white cake stand being drizzled with white icing from a bowl above.
A sliced poppy seed bundt cake with a glaze on top is displayed on a white surface with a few blueberries beside it.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Lemon Icing

Print Recipe
Two slices of poppy seed cake with a light glaze are displayed on a white plate, showing a moist, crumbly texture and visible poppy seeds.
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp. Poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp. Powdered sugar

Lemon icing

  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp milk or until it reaches the correct consistency

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.
  • With a hand mixer, cream the butter until fluffy. Add the sugar and cream for 4 minutes or until pale and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until combined. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Mix until incorporated.
  • Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternating between the two, ending with the dry ingredients.
  • Fold in the poppy seeds with a spatula.
  • Grease a Bundt cake and fill with cake batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Mix together the 3 tbsp powdered sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Brush on poppy seed cake while still warm but not hot.
  • For the glaze: In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk until it reaches a thick but spreadable consistency. If icing is clumpy, strain through a sieve. Pour over cooled bundt cake and serve.
A lemon poppy seed bundt cake with glaze, garnished with lemon slices and blueberries, is displayed on a white marble plate next to forks, a napkin, and an empty plate.

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