Notes & Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter, eggs, and sour cream helps the ingredients blend more easily, resulting in a smooth batter and even baking.
- Mixing Technique: After incorporating the flour, mix only until combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten. Overmixing can lead to a dense or chewy cake.
- Sour Cream Substitute: You can use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. It provides a similar tang and moisture content.
- Flavor Variations: Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter for a lemon-blueberry twist. You can also add a teaspoon of almond extract for a subtle nutty undertone.
- Lemon Syrup Boost: For extra lemony punch, brush the cooled cake with a simple syrup made by heating equal parts lemon juice and sugar until dissolved. Let it soak in before glazing for intensified citrus flavor.
This Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Cake keeps well for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It also freezes beautifully—wrap slices individually for an easy grab-and-go treat that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
