Bring a burst of sunshine into your kitchen with our Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake. This recipe combines the bright, tangy flavors of fresh lemon with the delightful crunch of poppy seeds in a moist and tender loaf cake, finished with a zingy lemon glaze. It's a perfect blend of sweet and tart that's sure to please your palate.
Why You'll Love This: If you're a fan of lemon-flavored desserts, this loaf cake is a dream come true. The cake itself is light and fluffy, with a rich lemon flavor enhanced by the texture of poppy seeds. The lemon glaze adds an extra layer of citrusy sweetness, making each slice a refreshing and satisfying treat. It's a simple yet elegant dessert that's easy to make and impossible to resist.
Perfect Occasion: This Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake is ideal for a variety of occasions. Serve it as a delightful dessert at a brunch, enjoy it as a mid-afternoon snack with tea, or offer it as a refreshing finish to a family dinner. It's also a beautiful and thoughtful homemade gift for friends and neighbors.
For the Loaf:
- 180 g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 110 g (4 oz) softened butter
- 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 eggs
- Juice of one half of a medium-sized lemon
- 120 ml (½ cup) milk
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 100 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, rub together the granulated sugar and lemon zest with your fingers until fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the lemon-sugar mixture using an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Stir in the lemon juice, milk, and poppy seeds.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top.
Slice and serve this delightful Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake, a treat that promises to be as refreshing as it is delicious!