Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe
These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are delightfully moist and bursting with fresh lemon flavor, enhanced by a crunchy poppy seed texture and topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a light snack, these muffins combine a tender crumb with a zesty citrus punch.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-23 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Muffins
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (zest of 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream OR plain Greek yogurt
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons lemon juice
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the muffins evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, milk, vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and poppy seeds by hand until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently by hand just until incorporated without overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
- Fold in Sour Cream: Gently fold in the sour cream or Greek yogurt until the batter is smooth and no white streaks remain, which adds moisture and a slight tanginess to the muffins.
- Prepare Muffin Tins: Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners or spray generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, fill each muffin cup generously to the top, which will yield 12-14 muffins depending on size.
- Bake Muffins: Bake at 375°F for 18 minutes, then check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the muffins are done. If not, bake for an additional 3-5 minutes but do not overbake.
- Cool Muffins: Remove from the oven and let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth. Dip the tops of the cooled muffins into the glaze and place them back on the wire rack to set.
Notes
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, use a plant-based sour cream or yogurt substitute.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to avoid tough muffins; gentle folding is key.
- The lemon glaze adds sweetness and a tangy finish; adjust lemon juice to your preferred tartness.
- Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Using fresh lemon zest and juice provides the best vibrant citrus flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: lemon poppy seed muffins, lemon muffins, poppy seed muffins, lemon glaze, breakfast muffins, easy muffin recipe