Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins (Print Version)

Moist muffins bursting with fresh lemon flavor and crunchy poppy seeds, perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.

# What to Use:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2/3 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
10 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
11 - Zest of 2 lemons
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Lemon Glaze

13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
02 - Whisk together flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
04 - Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients using a spatula until just combined to avoid overmixing.
05 - Spoon the batter evenly into muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
06 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over cooled muffins, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together faster than you think and the batter is forgiving.
  • The poppy seeds give you that little crunch that makes every bite feel intentional.
  • Lemon flavor is bold without tasting like furniture polish.
02 -
  • Do not skip cooling the melted butter or you will end up with scrambled egg bits in your batter.
  • Folding just until combined is the difference between fluffy muffins and hockey pucks.
  • Fresh lemon juice and zest are non-negotiable, the bottled stuff tastes like cleaning solution.
03 -
  • Zest your lemons before juicing them, it's nearly impossible to zest a juiced lemon and you will get frustrated.
  • If your muffins dome unevenly, your oven has a hot spot, rotate the tin halfway through baking.
  • A little extra poppy seeds on top before baking makes them look bakery-professional.
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