Poppy seeds and lemon is a classic combination. The acidity in the lemon balances the fatty and crunchy poppy seeds beautifully.
However, in most poppy seeds and lemon recipes I have come across, the poppy seeds quantity is usually limited to a tablespoon or two, which is why they don’t impart their unique flavor as much as I would prefer. Therefore, in the following recipe, I have decided to increase the quantity of poppy seeds to a whopping of 1 cup – and loved the result. If you like poppy seeds, you will love these muffins.
Notes:
* If you’re a Seinfeld fan, you probably remember the episode in which Elaine fails a drug test after eating poppy seed cookies. I was quite surprised to learn that this incident is actually realistic, and that eating poppy seeds can indeed make you fail a drug test! (Check THIS LINK for more info.) So, bear this in mind, especially since these very tasty muffins contain more poppy seeds than in most recipes…
* Poppy seeds tend to get rancid quickly, so for best results it is best to buy them whole and grind them at home, as shown here.
Makes: 18
Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup whole poppy seeds
1½ cups flour
1 stick (115 grams) butter, very soft
2 XL eggs, at room temperature
1¼ cups sugar
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup milk, at room temperature
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs lemon zest
1 Tbs baking powder
¼ tsp salt
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs lemon zest
1 Tbs Poppy seeds
1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Place 18 paper baking cups in muffin baking trays.
2. Place the poppy seeds and ½ cup of the flour in a food processor, fitted with the metal blade. Process briefly, to lightly grind the poppy seeds.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the butter and eggs together. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the applesauce, milk, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well.
4. Add the poppy seeds and flour mix, the rest of the flour, the baking powder and salt. Whisk to a smooth batter and fill the baking cups.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, until the muffins are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out almost dry. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature.
6. The icing: place the powdered sugar in a bowl and gradually add lemon juice, until you reach a thick yet runny consistency. Pour over the cupcakes and sprinkle the lemon zest and poppy seeds. Let set before serving.
* The unglazed muffins can be frozen, in an airtight container, for up to a month. The glazed ones will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I bought a pound package of poppy seeds because they are so much more economical that way. I’ve just been sprinkling them onto hamburger buns, but this looks like a good use for them! Love, love, love . . . lemon! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
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Then this is the recipe for you! Just beware of drug tests! 😀
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Retired!!! No worries!!
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Then have 2! 😀
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Chomp – you’re on! ;->
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Your cupcakes looks great 🙂
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Thank you Amal! Glad to hear. 🙂
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You just keep rolling out the hits! These cupcakes look scrumptious!
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Thank you Nancy. 🙂 They turned out scrumptious indeed….
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Mmm. I’m not a cupcake fan, but these look delicious. Lemon zest looks like it adds a perfect finishing touch!
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You can always bake it as a cake… 😉
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Great. Thanks Ronit. I think this as a cake will be wonderful!
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Enjoy! 🙂
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Wow, Ronit! These look fabulous. I love poppy seed anything – muffins, cakes, etc… Your cupcakes with the glaze look phenomenal!
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Thank you Lisa! If you like poppy seeds I’m sure you’ll like these ones – and they are very easy to make, so that’s an added bonus 🙂
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mmmm they look so yummy!
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Thank you! They really are… 🙂
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The cupcakes look delicious. Poppy seed cake is one of my favorite types of cake.
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Obviously, it’s just not that common today in ice cream preparation, so it makes it interesting. 🙂
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I love poppyseed and lemon muffins- one of my fav! 🙂
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It is a tasty combination. 🙂
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I love lemon cupcakes, I will try adding poppy seeds next time!!
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It adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture. I’m sure you’ll like it. 🙂
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Oh and the smell of these things!
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Yes, that’s certainly an added bonus! 🙂
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This looks delicious! I never knew about poppyseed and the drug test before. I learned something new 🙂
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Thank you!
Glad to have contributed something new. 🙂
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What a perfect combo! I love anything lemon or poppyseed. I love your blog BTW! 🙂
~Kloe
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Thank you, Kloe!
It is a very tasty combination and I hope you’ll enjoy the recipe.
I looked at your blog as well it’s impressive you’re doing all that at 16!
Ronit
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Fail a drug test? For real? I do remember hearing poppy seeds have this effect on drug testing. Lovely recipe for sure.
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I was quite surprised myself, though it will not prevent me from eating Poppy seeds!
Glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
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Hi^ I’m Simi, an italian cook! I follow your blog! it’ very nice! we can share recipes!
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Hi Simi,
thank you for following.
I’m glad to share recipes. 🙂
I’ll be checking your blog soon.
Ronit
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I’ve never made anything with poppyseed before. But I love a good lemon cupcake.
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I too love lemon cakes and here the poppy seeds add their special taste and aroma. It’s worth trying!
But if you can’t find poppy seeds, you can also try these Lime cupcakes:
https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/fragrant-lime-and-dried-apricots-cupcakes-with-lime-icing/
Enjoy! 🙂
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I love poppy seeds in cakes and buns! Yours look so yummy!:)
Cheers, Mila
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Thank you Mila, I’m glad to hear and welcome to my blog. 🙂
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I might have only been about 10 but I remember that episode! I can thank my dad for the TV education he gave me 😛
I grew up loving orange and poppy seed muffins but maybe I need to try adding lemon next time, instead! They look amazing.
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Absolutely great TV education! 🙂
Orange and Poppy is also a great combination, and any other citrus fruit for that matter.
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Beautiful riot of colors. Awesome job…
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Thank you! 🙂
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I LOVE poppy seeds and lemon and I agree – there are never enough! You have inspired me to make a batch immediately!
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Thank you Carrie. I hope you’ll like them as much as I did. I’ll be happy to hear about the results.:)
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