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Irresistible Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

lemon poppy seed bundt cake - featured image

A bright and comforting lemon poppy seed Bundt cake with a moist, tender crumb and a subtle crunch from poppy seeds. Perfect for any occasion and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • Zest of 3 lemons (finely grated)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease your Bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray, coating all nooks and crannies.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the batter is smooth and rich.
  5. Mix in the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
  6. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined after each addition to avoid overmixing.
  7. Fold in the poppy seeds gently with a spatula.
  8. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and tap the pan gently on the counter a few times to release air bubbles.
  9. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best flavor. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake tender. Grease and flour the Bundt pan well to prevent sticking. For extra moisture, brush warm cake with lemon syrup before cooling. Room temperature eggs blend better. Measure flour by weight for consistent texture. Avoid opening the oven door during the first 40 minutes of baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon poppy seed cake, Bundt cake, lemon dessert, easy cake recipe, homemade dessert, citrus cake, poppy seeds