Irresistible Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Strawberry Glaze

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds (optional)

Strawberry Glaze:

- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into a fine powder (optional)

Garnish:

- Candied lemon slices (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with butter and dust it lightly with flour to prevent the cake from sticking.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, lemon zest, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds (if using). Set aside.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add Eggs:
Beat the eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.

5. Combine Wet and Dry:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.

6. Transfer to Pan and Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Make the Glaze:
During the last 10 minutes of baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and freeze-dried strawberry powder (if using) until smooth.

8. Cool and Glaze the Cake:
Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cake, letting it naturally drip down the sides.

9. Garnish (Optional):
Decorate the top of the cake with candied lemon slices for extra appeal.

Total Time

PT1H15M
1 hour 15 minutes

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

Lemon Cake, Poppy Seed, Strawberry Glaze, Buttermilk Cake, Dessert, Oven Roast Cake, Sweet Treat, Lemon Dessert, Summer Dessert, Citrus Cake

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1500 calories

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