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Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Lemon poppy seed cake is beloved by many for it’s flavor and crunch. It’s also incredibly easy to make and beautiful to serve.

Glazed lemon poppy seed cake on clear glass cake stand with text overlay.

This lemon poppy seed budnt cake is loaded with poppy seeds giving it a heavy crunch and poppy seed flavor – this is not just a few seeds for looks or hint of flavor.

Lots of Poppy Seeds

Most poppy seed cakes seem to just have a Tablespoon or two of the tiny seeds. Admittedly, they are small and a bit can go a very long way. However, this cake makes the poppy seeds the star with a full 3/4 cup included.

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Use homegrown poppy seeds, if you have them, as a great way to share the garden with friends. If you don’t have them get them from the grocery or health food store.

You’ll need to look for more than the little spice jar often sold alongside dried herbs. Bob’s Red Mill has them and I can find them along with their flours, etc. in my local store. You can also buy them online.

Bundt Pan

I tested this recipe in a 10″ bundt pan. You could likely go up or down in size but will need to watch the baking time more carefully and check for doneness with a toothpick or metal tester.

Glazed lemon poppy seed cake with a slice removed on glass cake plate.

Optional Glaze

I’ve included a simple lemon glaze recipe in the card below. The glaze is tasty and adds another level of sweetness and tartness to the cake.

Close up of inside of sliced glazed lemon poppy seed cake on glass cake plate with text overlay.

The glaze also helps prevent the cake from drying out if it isn’t going to be eaten up in one day.

You could skip the glaze and serve the cake with some whipped cream or ice cream instead. You could also simply dust it with powdered sugar prior to serving.

Yield: 16 Slices

Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Glazed lemon poppy seed cake on clear glass cake stand.

Packed with poppy seeds and flavor this easy to make bundt cake is perfect for dinner parties and weeknights alike.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 Cup Poppy Seeds
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 1 Cup Salted Butter, softened
  • 2/3 Cup Sugar
  • 3 Eggs
  • 2 Cups Unbleached, All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • Zest of 1 Lemon 

Optional Lemon Glaze

  • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Grease a 10" Bundt Pan.
  3. Combine the poppy seeds and milk in a small sauce pan. Heat the milk just until it starts to steam / scald it.
  4. Let cool to room temperature before proceeding.
  5. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  6. Cream together the butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
  7. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
  8. Alternate mixing in the flour mixture followed by the milk / poppy seed mixture until everything is mixed together completely.
  9. Spread the batter into prepared bundt pan.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  11. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out to a plate to cool completely.

Make the Optional Glaze

  1. Mix together the lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth.
  2. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and let harden before serving.

Notes

Substitute lemon extract for the vanilla extract for an even more intense lemon flavor.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 287mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 5g

We try our best but cannot guarantee that nutrition information is 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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GIGI

Saturday 3rd of April 2021

Is there a way to make this cake w/o 2 sticks of butter? I cannot have butter, but EVOO and coconut is ok with my digestion.

Kathie Lapcevic

Thursday 22nd of April 2021

I haven't tested any other way. Coconut oil when it's solid might work but I can't promise.

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