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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin with half-peeled yellow muffin wrapper
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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

These light and fluffy lemon poppy seed muffins are dipped in a thick lemon glaze and bursting with bright citrus flavor.
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 12 muffins

Ingredients

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFIN BATTER INGREDIENTS

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • zest of two lemons
  • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds

LEMON GLAZE INGREDIENTS

  • ¾ cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • zest from half a lemon
  • poppy seeds, for sprinkling

Instructions

PREP INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Line a 12-cavity muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
  • Zest, then juice the lemons for the muffin batter. Set aside.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a large bowl, use a hand-mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and oil.
  • Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Beat in the zest of 2 lemons and the 3 tbsp lemon juice. Mixture should be light and fluffy.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon.
  • Fold the poppy seeds into the muffin batter.
  • Divide the muffin batter equally between the 12 cavities of the prepared muffin tin.
  • Bake Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins at 350F for 12-14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffins comes out clean.
  • Let muffins cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

LEMON GLAZE INSTRUCTIONS

  • While the muffins are cooling, make the lemon glaze: whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Glaze will be thick.
  • After the muffins have cooled for 10-15 minutes, dip the tops of the still-warm muffins in the glaze. Place muffins upright on a cooling rack and sprinkle poppy seeds over the top. Serve Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins is an adapted version of the recipe for Aunt Ellen's Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins that appeared in the Janna Rollins/Rainy Day Mysteries email newsletter on March 27, 2024.