Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

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Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

These lemon poppy seed cupcakes feature a moist, lemon-flavored cupcake with poppy seeds throughout. They’re topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting, making them an ideal treat for springtime!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream, opt plain yogurt or buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups cake flour, opt all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese room temperature
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds, optional

Garnish

  • lemon slices
  • lemon zest

Instructions

Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and place cupcake liners in a 12-cup pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, and lemon zest. Add eggs and vanilla, whisk until fully mixed.
  3. Mix in the sour cream and lemon juice until well combined.
  4. Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt until fully mixed, then gently fold in poppy seeds.
  5. Pour about ¼ cup of batter into each cupcake liner (filling halfway).
  6. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
  7. Take the cupcakes out of the pan and place them on a wire rack to cool. Make sure they cool completely before frosting them.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar and beat on low until combined.
  3. Add lemon juice, then beat frosting on high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Optionally, gently stir in poppy seeds.
  5. Frost cooled cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. If you like, add a finishing touch by sprinkling lemon zest and adding fresh lemon slices as garnish.

Notes:

  • Cupcakes are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They taste better at room temperature, so let them sit out for about an hour before serving.

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Delight in the bright and zesty flavor of our Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes, a delightful treat that's perfect for any occasion. Picture moist and fluffy cupcakes infused with the refreshing zest of fresh lemons and studded with crunchy poppy seeds. Each bite is a burst of citrusy goodness, with the lemon flavor perfectly complementing the subtle crunch of the poppy seeds. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze or a creamy lemon frosting, these cupcakes are a delightful indulgence that's sure to brighten your day.