Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Last Updated on July 15, 2022 by Kayla Berman

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the ultimate spring muffin! Made with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice … these lightly sweetened muffins are soft, tender, bright, and delicious. They’re the perfect easy sweet treat to enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Ingredients needed…

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are made with all your classic muffin ingredients, fresh lemon juice & zest, and of course poppy seeds!

  • Butter: These muffins are made with softened, salted butter. All you need is 1/2 cup!
  • Sugars: Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins call for white sugar, light brown sugar, and powdered sugar. 1/3 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup light brown sugar go straight in the muffins themselves. And 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar is in the glaze!
  • Eggs: Add 2 eggs to this recipe for moisture and binding.
  • Milk: The main source of liquid in these delicious muffins is milk! You can use 1 1/4 cup of your milk of choice. I did almond milk!
  • All Purpose Flour: The flour in these muffins is all purpose. Add 2 cups.
  • Fresh Lemon Zest & Juice: The star of these spring muffins is fresh lemon juice and zest. It adds such a bright, zesty, and fun flavor. You’ll need 3 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp zest!
  • Poppy Seeds: The other star is poppy seeds! They add a crunch and are of course key for the classic lemon poppy seed combo. 1 tbsp is perfect!
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 tsp of vanilla extract gives these muffins a delicious vanilla taste.
  • Baking Powder: Baking powder makes this recipe light, fluffy, and wonderfully textured. 2 tsp is all you need!
  • Salt: Lastly, add 1/4 tsp of salt to balance out all the sweet.

How to make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins…

This recipe is simple sweet treat! Just bake the tender muffins, dip in a sweet lemon glaze, and you’ll have a beautiful baker’s dozen.

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add the butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixture until light, fluffy, and creamed together.
  3. Next add in the eggs.  Beating until just combined after each one.
  4. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Alternatively add the flour mixture and milk to the muffin batter.  Beating until combined with an electric mixer after each addition.  Begin and end with the flour mixture for the best results.
  6. Then stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and poppy seeds.
  7. Next line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
  8. Add about ice cream scooper sized scoops of batter to each muffin.  You should be able to make 12 muffins.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.
  10. While the muffins are baking, work on the lemon glaze.  Simply combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
  11. Remove the muffins from the oven and let cool completely.  Once cooled, dip each muffin top in the glaze.
  12. Enjoy!
Lemon Muffins

Lemon Glaze for Muffins…

Lemon Glaze is the perfect topping to these soft and fluffy muffins! It’s light, bright, simple, and sweet. It truly completes the whole treat!

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk to small bowl.
  2. Combine until smooth.
  3. Adjust sugar to liquid ratio to your liking. (If needed!)

Lemon Muffin tips…

Follow the tips below for the perfect lemon muffins each and every time!

  • Flour, milk, flour! – The best way to add the dry ingredients & liquid to the muffin batter is to add each alternatively, starting and ending with the flour mixture. This allows for all ingredients to be evenly combined, ensures the liquid is thoroughly absorbed, and helps with binding.
  • Use an ice cream scooper to get the perfect sized muffins
  • Obvious … but make sure to use muffin liners!
  • Let muffins completely cool before dipping in the simple glaze
  • Sprinkle some fresh lemon zest on top for more tangy citrus flavor and a beautiful look
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Do I have to add poppy seeds to these Lemon Muffins?

No, you do not need to add the poppy seeds to these muffins! Of course you will be missing out on that classic spring flavor combo, but it won’t alter the recipe structure.

You’ll be left with just as delicious plain lemon muffins!

Can I use lemon extract?

Yes, if you don’t have any fresh lemons on hand or just want to add some extra lemon flavor to these muffins you could definitely use lemon extract.

If you’re not using any fresh zest or juice, I recommend adding 2 tsp of lemon extract to the muffins. I would personally just add until the batter tastes lemony enough for you! However, proceed at your own risk with that little tip because this batter does of course contain raw egg.

If you’re adding lemon extract to the glaze, I would add a drop to start and again simply taste as you go!

Lemon Muffin Recipe

How to store Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins…

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days. I recommend moving them to the refrigerator after that time for ultimate freshness! They will last about 1 week there.

You could also freeze these spring muffins! Simply transfer to a freezer safe Ziploc bag or container and place in the freezer. They’ll keep for a couple of months.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Love this Lemon Muffin Recipe? Check out more delicious muffin recipes below…

Connect with me!

If you make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins or any of my other recipes I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram, so I can see and share your recreation.

Spring Muffin Recipe

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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the ultimate spring muffin! Made with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice … these lightly sweetened muffins are soft, tender, bright, and delicious. They’re the perfect easy sweet treat to enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea!

  • Author: Kayla Berman
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 Muffins 1x
  • Category: Muffins
  • Method: Baked

Ingredients

Scale

Muffins

Lemon Glaze

Instructions

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add the butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixture until light, fluffy, and creamed together.
  3. Next add in the eggs.  Beating until just combined after each one.
  4. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Alternatively add the flour mixture and milk to the muffin batter.  Beating until combined with an electric mixer after each addition.  Begin and end with the flour mixture for the best results.
  6. Then stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and poppy seeds.
  7. Next line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
  8. Add about ice cream scooper sized scoops of batter to each muffin.  You should be able to make 12 muffins.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.
  10. While the muffins are baking, work on the lemon glaze.  Simply combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
  11. Remove the muffins from the oven and let cool completely.  Once cooled, dip each muffin top in the glaze.
  12. Enjoy!

Keywords: Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Lemon Muffins, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins, Lemon Muffin Recipe, Lemon Glaze for Muffins

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