The Ultimate Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin Recipe: Zesty, Moist, and Irresistibly Delicious
Are you ready to bake up a batch of sunshine? These lemon poppy seed muffins are bursting with bright, zesty lemon flavor and the delightful crunch of poppy seeds. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. It's easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 12 standard-sized muffins.
For the Muffin Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 large lemons
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
- ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
For the Lemon Glaze (Optional but Highly Recommended):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease and flour the tin. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
2. Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
3. Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air, leading to lighter and fluffier muffins. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins.
5. Add Poppy Seeds: Gently fold in the poppy seeds.
6. Fill the Muffin Cups: Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full.
7. Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Glaze (Optional): While the muffins are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add more lemon juice if needed to reach your desired consistency.
10. Glaze the Muffins: Once the muffins are completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps create a smoother batter and ensures even baking.
- Fresh is Best: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest provide the brightest and most flavorful muffins.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Proper Baking Time: Check for doneness at the 18-minute mark. Overbaking will result in dry muffins.
Serving Suggestions:
These lemon poppy seed muffins are delicious on their own, but you can also enjoy them with:
- A cup of coffee or tea
- A dollop of whipped cream
- A smear of lemon curd
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This recipe will help you create the most delightful lemon poppy seed muffins. Enjoy!
