Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Recipe – Best Ever!
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These Lemon Poppyseed Muffins are the perfect combination of zesty lemon flavor and a delightful poppyseed crunch. Moist, fluffy, and bursting with citrus goodness, these bakery-style muffins are easy to make and great for breakfast or a midday treat.
These lemon poppyseed muffins are big and moist and full of lemon flavor! They taste and smell amazing!
Why You’ll Love Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Recipe
- Bursting with lemon flavor: These muffins are packed with fresh lemon juice and zest, giving them a vibrant citrusy flavor that stands out in every bite.
- Perfectly moist texture: The combination of yogurt and butter creates a tender, moist crumb that melts in your mouth, making these muffins a joy to eat.
- Simple one-bowl recipe: With easy-to-find ingredients and a one-bowl mixing method, these muffins are a breeze to prepare, even on busy mornings.
- Delightful poppyseed crunch: The poppyseeds add a fun texture and a slightly nutty flavor, perfectly complementing the bright lemon taste.
- Ideal for breakfast or snacks: These muffins are versatile enough to be enjoyed as a quick breakfast on the go or a sweet, satisfying snack any time of the day.
OMG I’m addicted to these lemon poppyseed muffins! It is dangerous to leave me and these muffins in the house all day :)
Their lemon smell is intoxicating! Once you smell them, you’ll absolutely NEED to sink your teeth into these moist lemony muffins!
Those poppyseeds are irresistible! I love poppyseeds, and this recipe uses a whole two tablespoons of them! You can taste the poppyseeds in every bite!
These lemon poppyseed muffins are very easy to make. It is a one-bowl recipe – just mix all ingredients in one bowl, then pour in a muffin tin and bake!
Making homemade muffins doesn’t get any easier than that!
Ingredients For Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Recipe
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure for the muffins, ensuring they bake up soft and fluffy.
- Baking powder & baking soda – These leavening agents help the muffins rise beautifully, giving them a light texture.
- Poppyseeds – Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to every bite.
- Butter – Softened butter makes the muffins rich and tender.
- Sugar – Sweetens the muffins and balances the tartness of the lemon.
- Eggs – Help bind the ingredients together and contribute to the muffins’ light, airy texture.
- Plain yogurt – Adds moisture and a slight tang, ensuring the muffins are soft and flavorful.
- Lemon juice and zest – The star ingredients that give the muffins their fresh, vibrant lemon flavor.
- Lemon extract (optional) – Intensifies the lemony flavor for an extra punch.
- Yellow food coloring (optional) – Adds a bright yellow hue for a visually appealing presentation.
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.
This easy lemon poppyseed muffins recipe uses very simple common ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, eggs, yogurt, fresh lemon juice and fresh lemon zest.
Don’t skip the lemon zest as it really gives off a lot of lemon flavor! Zesting a lemon is super easy with my unique method – see my guide on how to zest a lemon.
You can make the lemon taste in these muffins even stronger by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon extract in addition to fresh lemon juice. Lemon extract is more concentrated and adds an extra punch of lemon taste!
Also, if you’d like the lemon poppyseed muffins to be as yellow as the ones on my pictures, add the yellow food coloring. This is totally optional – the muffins taste the same regardless of how yellow they are :) The bright yellow color is just for the presentation!
Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Recipe
- Large mixing bowl – For combining all the ingredients into a smooth batter.
- Electric mixer – To easily blend the butter and sugar and ensure a light, fluffy texture.
- Muffin tin – Holds the batter and shapes the muffins during baking.
- Paper baking cups – Prevents the muffins from sticking to the tin, making cleanup easier.
- Whisk – Helps in incorporating the dry ingredients evenly into the batter.
- Spatula – Used to scrape down the sides of the bowl and ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
- Measuring cups and spoons – Essential for accurately measuring ingredients for consistent results.
How To Make Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Recipe
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper baking cups or greasing it with non-stick spray.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest, followed by the optional lemon extract and yellow food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add 1 cup of the flour and mix. Then stir in the yogurt until smooth. Add the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and poppyseeds, and mix until just combined.
- Fill the muffin tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them to the top for big, bakery-style muffins.
- Bake: Place the muffins in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
If you are a lemon lover and a poppyseed lover, you absolutely need this recipe! I made many lemon poppyseed muffins, and this recipe is the best ever!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these lemon poppyseed muffins warm with a light spread of butter for a delicious breakfast treat.
- Pair them with a cup of tea with lemon or coffee for a delightful afternoon snack.
- For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle the muffins with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- These muffins are perfect for brunch spreads or as a grab-and-go snack for busy mornings.
- Add a side of fresh blueberries or yogurt for a complete and refreshing meal.
Tips For Success
- Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor for these muffins. Don’t skip the zest, as it adds a lot of vibrant lemony goodness.
- Don’t overmix the batter: When incorporating the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can result in dense muffins instead of light and fluffy ones.
- Fill the muffin cups to the top: For those bakery-style, tall muffins, be sure to fill the muffin cups all the way to the top. This will give you large, domed tops that look as good as they taste.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin to check if it’s done. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the muffins are ready. If there’s still batter on the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes.
- Add a glaze for extra flavor: If you want to make the muffins extra special, drizzle them with a simple lemon glaze after they’ve cooled. This adds an extra punch of lemon flavor and a touch of sweetness.
Variations And Substitutions
- Make it dairy-free: Substitute the yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and use dairy-free butter to make these muffins completely dairy-free while maintaining their moist texture.
- Add a glaze: For a sweeter finish, drizzle the cooled muffins with a lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. This adds a burst of extra lemon flavor and a beautiful shine to the muffins.
- Try different citrus: Swap out the lemon juice and zest for orange or lime to create a different citrus flavor. Orange poppyseed or lime poppyseed muffins are delicious variations that are just as refreshing.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these muffins gluten-free. Be sure to check that your baking powder and poppyseeds are also gluten-free if necessary.
- Add a crunch: If you like a little more texture in your muffins, try sprinkling some coarse sugar or poppyseeds on top of the muffins before baking for a nice crunchy finish.
Yummy yum yum!
Storage and Reheating
- Storing: Once the muffins have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them, and they will stay fresh for up to a week.
- Freezing: Lemon poppyseed muffins freeze well! Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw the muffins at room temperature or warm them in the microwave.
- Reheating: To enjoy warm muffins, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. This will help restore their freshly baked texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While bottled lemon juice can be used, fresh lemon juice and zest provide a more vibrant and natural flavor, making these muffins taste their best.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Just make sure your baking powder and poppyseeds are gluten-free as well.
How do I prevent the muffins from becoming dry?
To keep your muffins moist, be careful not to overmix the batter and avoid overbaking. The yogurt in this recipe also helps maintain a tender texture.
Can I freeze these muffins?
Yes, these muffins freeze beautifully! Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for a quick treat.
Can I omit the poppyseeds?
Absolutely! If you prefer muffins without the seeds, you can omit them entirely. The lemon flavor will still shine through and the muffins will be just as delicious.
How can I make these muffins even more lemony?
To boost the lemon flavor, you can add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a teaspoon of lemon extract. You can also drizzle the muffins with a lemon glaze for an extra burst of citrus.
If you like lemon poppyseed muffins, you will also love these easy recipes:
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Copycat – no need to go to Starbucks to get your fix of their lemon pound cake when you can make the exact replica at home! So lemony and delicious!
Lemon Crinkles Cookies – easy cookie recipe for lemon lovers, these lemon cookies look and taste amazing!
Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Muffins – these giant muffins are loaded with chocolate chips and taste like the ones from a bakery!
Candied Lemon Slices – such intense burst of citrus flavor, I love chewing on these!
Lemon Meringue Pie – so refreshing and bursting with lemon flavor, this step-by-step lemon meringue pie recipe is the best ever!
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins - Best Ever!
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp poppyseeds
- 1 stick 8 tbsp butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- Juice and zest from 1 lemon
- 1 tsp lemon extract optional
- 1 tsp yellow food coloring optional
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
- Large mixing bowl
- Paper baking cups
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and line a muffin tin with paper baking cups (or spray with non-stick cooking spray).
- Put butter and sugar in a large bowl and mix with a mixer until combined. Add eggs and mix until combined. Add lemon juice and lemon zest and mix until combined. Add the lemon extract and yellow food coloring (if using) and mix until combined.
- Add 1 cup of the flour and mix until combined.
- Add yogurt and mix until combined.
- Add the remaining 1 1/3 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda and poppyseeds and mix until combined.
- Distribute the mixture between 12 muffin cups (the muffin cups will be full).
- Put the lemon poppyseed muffins in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
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