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Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

A delightful dessert that captures the essence of sunshine and springtime with a perfect balance of tartness from fresh lemons and the subtle crunch of poppy seeds.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 4-5 medium medium lemons Juicy and vibrant, their tartness will infuse the cake with flavor.
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest Adds an intense citrus fragrance.
  • ½ tsp culinary lavender This unique ingredient lends a floral note.
  • ½ cup whole milk Warmed to add moisture.
  • 1¾ cup all-purpose flour Gives the cake structure.
  • ¼ tsp salt Balances sweetness.
  • 1½ tsp baking powder Ensures the cake rises.
  • 1⅔ cups granulated sugar Sweetness complementing the tart lemons.
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds Adds a delightful texture.
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice Provides essential tanginess.
  • ½ cup sour cream Contributes to a moist crumb.
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter Rich buttery flavor, almost melted.
  • 3 large eggs Essential for binding ingredients.
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Used for the glaze.
  • Juice from 1½ lemons lemons Used for the glaze.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, zest a lemon and microwave the whole milk until warm. Stir in the lemon zest and culinary lavender, letting it sit to infuse.
  3. In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, granulated sugar, and poppy seeds.
  4. Squeeze the lemons to yield about ⅓ cup (80ml) of fresh lemon juice.
  5. In another bowl, combine the sour cream, melted butter, lemon juice, infused milk mixture, and eggs. Whisk until smooth.
Baking
  1. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
  2. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 60-90 minutes.
  3. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
Glazing
  1. In a small bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar with the lemon juice until smooth.
  2. Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Don’t overmix the batter, and allow the cake to cool completely before glazing.