Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt (Printable Version)

Zesty Bundt cake featuring lemon zest, poppy seeds, and a tangy lemon glaze for a bright finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cake

01 - 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups granulated sugar
08 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - 1 cup sour cream

→ For the Lemon Glaze

13 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-12 cup Bundt pan thoroughly, ensuring all crevices are coated to prevent sticking.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; take care not to overmix.
06 - Pour the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely before glazing.
08 - Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with additional juice if needed.
09 - Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides. Let set for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tangy glaze perfectly balances the cakes natural sweetness without being overpowering
  • Poppy seeds add subtle crunch throughout each tender bite creating texture contrast
  • This cake stays incredibly moist for days making it perfect for make ahead dessert planning
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together seamlessly preventing curdled batter
  • Overmixing develops gluten making the cake tough instead of tender
  • Letting the glaze set for 15 minutes before serving makes slicing much cleaner
03 -
  • Brush the warm cake with simple syrup before glazing for extra moisture
  • Zest your lemons before juicing to make the task much easier

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