Description
These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are a delightful treat featuring a tender crumb infused with fresh lemon zest and poppy seeds. Moist and flavorful, they are topped with a tangy lemon glaze for an extra burst of citrus brightness. Perfect for breakfast or a light snack, these muffins bake to golden perfection and offer a balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a subtle crunch from the poppy seeds.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 310 g All purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 60 g Poppy seed
Wet Ingredients
- 200 g Granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 113 g Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 113 g Oil
- 2 Eggs
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 240 g Whole milk (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon White vinegar
- 3 tablespoon Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Glaze
- 240 g Powdered sugar (sifted)
- 3 tablespoon Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Additional lemon zest and poppy seed for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Line your muffin tin with muffin liners and preheat the oven to 175°C (347°F) without the fan. This ensures the muffins cook evenly and develop a nice crust.
- Zest and Sugar: Finely zest one lemon into a small bowl using a microplane grater, then massage the lemon zest into the granulated sugar for about a minute. This step infuses the sugar with intense lemon flavor.
- Cream Butter and Lemon Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and the lemon-scented sugar with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. This aerates the mixture, helping the muffins rise well.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, whipping slowly after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then mix in the vanilla extract for added depth of flavor.
- Incorporate Oil and Milk: While continuing to whip, slowly pour in the oil, followed by the room temperature milk, which helps keep the batter moist and tender.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula. Fold in the poppy seeds carefully to avoid overmixing, which could toughen the muffins.
- Activate Baking Soda with Vinegar: In a small bowl, mix the baking soda with white vinegar; the mixture will become bubbly. Immediately fold this into the muffin batter until just combined to provide extra lift.
- Fill Muffin Liners: Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each muffin liner about 3/4 full with batter to allow room for rising without overflowing.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to keep the muffins moist.
- Cool Muffins: Remove from the oven and let the muffins cool to room temperature before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- Prepare Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together sifted powdered sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Muffins: Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled muffins using a teaspoon or piping bag. Garnish with additional lemon zest and poppy seeds for an attractive finish.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the muffins fresh, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure all wet ingredients like butter and milk are at room temperature to help create a smooth batter and better muffin texture.
- Do not overmix after adding dry ingredients to avoid dense muffins.
- Baking soda and vinegar react quickly – fold into the batter immediately for optimal leavening.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the most vibrant lemon flavor.
- The glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweet-tart finish.
- Store muffins in an airtight container to keep them moist for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American