This scrumptious Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is made with buttermilk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and poppy seeds, creating a moist and flavorful spring and summer dessert. You will love this made-from-scratch cake’s rich buttery lemon flavor and tender crumb. The two-ingredient lemon glaze takes this Bundt cake over the top with fresh citrus flavor.
The Best Lemon Poppy Seed Cake – Pucker Up Lemon Lovers
Indulge in this delicious and moist lemon poppy seed cake, perfect for any occasion. This tested and perfected recipe will indeed become a favorite among your family and friends. With its fresh lemon taste, this is one of our go-to summer cakes. This moist cake is ideal for graduations, bridal showers, baby showers, and pool parties. Garnish with fresh lemon zest or lemon slices, and get ready to serve up a little taste of sweet sunshine. If you love lemon desserts like I do, try lemon pound cake, lemon cookies, lemon blossoms, and lemon chiffon pie.
Recipe Tips
- Use a nonstick baking spray to thoroughly coat the inside of the Bundt pan, or make your own homemade pan release and brush it on with a pastry brush. Remember to coat all those nooks and crannies.
- Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are a must for this recipe.
- Bring your butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature.
- Save money and make your own buttermilk. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cup of milk and gently stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then use it in the recipe.
- Do not overbake the cake. Check every few minutes after 45 minutes.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container or under a cake dome on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days.
More Delicious Cake Recipes
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Ingredients
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup poppy seeds
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened 2 sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 cup buttermilk
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ -2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan generously with nonstick baking spray.
- Sift together the flour, cornstarch, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrap down the bowl and beater as needed.
- Turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Keeping the mixer on low, add the vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add the buttermilk and the flour mixture in three parts alternating between them, mixing until incorporated. Scrape down the beater and the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before inverting. Cool the cake completely before glazing.
- Mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl until it is smooth. Add more powdered sugar or lemon juice in very small increments until you reach desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Notes
- Use a nonstick baking spray to thoroughly coat the inside of the Bundt pan, or make your own homemade pan release and brush it on with a pastry brush. Remember to coat all those nooks and crannies.
- Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are a must for this recipe.
- Bring your butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature.
- Save money and make your own buttermilk. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cup of milk and gently stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then use it in the recipe.
- Do not overbake the cake. Check every few minutes after 45 minutes.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container or under a cake dome on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
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Lisa
This cake was moist and delicious, with the perfect balance of flavors from lemon and poppy seed! One of my favorite combinations.
Karen
This was soooooo good, sooooo good!!! I love lemon cakes with poppy seeds and this one was moist and delicious! Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Karen!
Jupiter Hadley
I love the taste of lemon and this sounds fantastic! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Yeah Lifestyle
I love lemon bundt cakes and adding the poppy seeds just adds another dimension. Very zesty and the sponge is so tasty. This cake is definitely a big hit!
Tisha
Lemon Poppy seed is the best! This cake is one of my favorites to make
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Tisha! I am so glad that you like it!
Catalina
I baked the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake for a family gathering, and it was a huge hit! The cake was moist and had the perfect balance of lemony flavor and poppy seed crunch. This will definitely be a go-to recipe for me!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catalina! I am so glad that you liked it!
Sandra
Such a delicious summer dessert and very easy to make! Love it!
Erica B
This is the ideal summer dessert! It’s light, refreshing, and the buttermilk adds incredible moistness! This has became a new family favorite and our go to summer cake!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Erica! We love it too!
Krystle
I love lemon poppyseed muffins, so it’s no surprise I loved this too. Easy to make and great for coffee with friends.
Holley
This cake just screams summer! So moist, bright, and flavorful. One of my summertime favorites!
Beth Pierce
Mine too, Holley!
Jilly
Moist with a zingy lemon flavor. Perfection!
Gianne
The bright citrus flavor combined with the crunch of the poppy seeds is just perfect. The cake is moist and tender, and the glaze adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Gianne! We love it too!
Sara K
This was such a light and fluffy cake that does not disappoint! The perfect dessert for spring; my whole family loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Sara!
Jayde
I love this! Super easy to make, really light and fluffy – it’s just wonderful.
Sisley T
This is such a beautiful cake. I love the amount of lemon in it.
Everything Enchanting
I love poppy seeds ❤️ And this cake is super delicious! I can’t quit eating it 😍!