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Perfect Sun-Kissed Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake

lemon poppy seed layer cake - featured image
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A bright, moist lemon poppy seed layer cake with a tender crumb and silky lemon cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations or any day you want a little sunshine on your plate.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • Zest of 2 large lemons
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 oz (227g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in lemon zest and vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter in three additions, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix each addition on low speed just until combined.
  6. Gently fold in poppy seeds and fresh lemon juice with a rubber spatula.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Start checking at 28 minutes.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely, about 1 hour.
  10. For frosting, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar, then beat in lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until thick and spreadable.
  12. Place one cake layer on serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting on top.
  13. Place second cake layer over the first and frost top and sides evenly.
  14. Chill cake for 30 minutes before serving to set frosting.

Notes

Use room temperature butter and eggs for best mixing results. Fold poppy seeds gently to keep batter light. Start checking cake early to avoid overbaking. Chill frosting if too soft before applying. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum. For dairy-free, use almond or oat milk with vinegar as buttermilk substitute and dairy-free cream cheese and butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon poppy seed cake, lemon cake, layer cake, lemon cream cheese frosting, celebration cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/perfect-sun-kissed-lemon-poppy-seed-layer-cake-recipe-for-easy-celebrations/