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Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze

moist lemon poppy seed loaf cake - featured image
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A bright and comforting lemon poppy seed loaf cake with a tender crumb and a fragrant vanilla bean glaze. Perfect for brunch or afternoon tea, this easy homemade recipe uses simple ingredients and yields a moist, flavorful treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120g) Greek yogurt, full-fat or 2%
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray and dust lightly with flour, tapping out excess.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice, then fold in Greek yogurt until just combined.
  6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Fold in poppy seeds evenly.
  8. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top gently.
  9. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if top browns too fast.
  10. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, lemon juice, heavy cream or milk, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and pourable.
  12. Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled cake and let set at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the crumb tender. Toss poppy seeds in a teaspoon of flour before folding in to prevent sinking. Tent the cake with foil if it browns too quickly. Let the cake cool completely before glazing to prevent glaze from melting and running off. Vanilla bean paste adds visible flecks and richer flavor to the glaze but can be substituted with vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon poppy seed loaf, lemon cake, vanilla bean glaze, easy loaf cake, moist lemon cake, homemade lemon cake, brunch cake, afternoon tea cake

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/moist-lemon-poppy-seed-loaf-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-vanilla-bean-glaze/