Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins with Glaze
These Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are bursting with bright lemon flavor and have a delightful texture from the poppy seeds. Topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze, they are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat.
Equipment
- oven
- muffin tin
- large bowl
- whisk
- spatula or wooden spoon
- wire rack
- small bowl
Ingredients
Muffins
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- ½ cup milk (120ml), at room temperature (whole or 2%)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (60g), melted and cooled
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg. Then, rub lemon zest into the granulated sugar (from the dry ingredients), and add this lemon-infused sugar to the egg along with milk, melted butter, lemon juice, and vanilla extract; whisk until well combined.
Baking
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 13-17 minutes more, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze
- While muffins cool, whisk powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth; adjust lemon juice as needed for a pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled muffins and let it set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure all cold ingredients are at room temperature for a better muffin texture. Do not overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough muffins. For an extra lemony kick, add a touch more lemon zest to the glaze.