Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Icing is a delightful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Bursting with bright lemon flavor and flecks of poppy seeds, this moist and fluffy cake is topped with a tangy lemon icing that adds just the right amount of sweetness.
With its zesty flavor and elegant presentation, this cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s surprisingly easy to make, too—just a few simple steps, and you’ll have a show-stopping treat that’s perfect for brunch, tea time, or as a refreshing finale to any meal!
Poppy Seed Cake
The banana, sour cream, and oil in this cake create a wonderfully soft texture, while the subtle spices and ultra lemony icing take it to the next level. If you’re a fan of banana desserts, try my sugar free banana bread, air fryer banana muffins, or eggless banana muffins for more tasty options.
This cake also makes a fun and casual birthday treat. For other celebratory ideas, check out my birthday cake ice cream or these hot chocolate cup cakes for a sweet, cozy twist!
Jump To
- Poppy Seed Cake
- 🛒Ingredients
- 🥣How To Make Banana Poppy Seed Cake Step By Step
- Rita's Tip
- 📋Tips
- 👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make Poppy Seed Cake
- 🍱Storage Instructions
- How to Slice a Cake Into Even Layers
- Variations
- More Cake Recipes You'll Like
- Did You Try This Recipe?
- 📖Recipe
- 🤷Frequently Asked Questions
- Lemon Desserts
- 💬 Comments
🛒Ingredients
- Banana puree - Adds natural sweetness and moisture, creating a tender cake. Use overripe bananas for best results.
- Vegetable oil - Keeps the cake moist and soft. A neutral-flavored oil like canola or sunflower is ideal.
- Sour cream or plain yogurt - Brings a slight tanginess, enhancing richness and keeping the cake moist. Avoid Greek yogurt as it's too thick.
- Baking powder & baking soda - These leavening agents help the cake rise and turn out fluffy.
- Poppy seeds - Add a crunch and a nutty flavor. They also look lovely.
- Shredded coconut - Introduces a tropical note and adds texture. Opt for unsweetened coconut to maintain balance.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg - So tasty with banana.
- Ground turmeric - Adds a golden hue and a subtle earthy flavor.
- Powdered sugar - Forms the base of the glaze - make sure it's sifted and lump-free.
- Lemon juice - Adds a tangy brightness!
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥣How To Make Banana Poppy Seed Cake Step By Step
- Mix ingredients: Combine dry ingredients with wet, stirring until smooth.
- Incorporate add-ins: Fold in poppy seeds and coconut.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 35-45 minutes. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- Cool: Let the cake cool after removing it from the cake pan.
- Decorate: Glaze and decorate once the cake has cooled.
Rita's Tip
Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the better the flavor and moisture. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
📋Tips
- Measure flour correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
- Don’t overmix: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the batter is smooth. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.
- Room temperature ingredients: This ensures a smoother batter and even baking.
- Check for doneness: Start checking the cake at 35 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done.
- Cool completely before glazing: Let the cake cool fully before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting and running off.
👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make Poppy Seed Cake
🍱Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- 🥶Freezing. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
- 🔥To Reheat. Allow the frozen cake to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
How to Slice a Cake Into Even Layers
To slice a cake into even layers, use a serrated knife or a cake leveler. Place the cake on a flat surface and mark the edges where you want to slice.
Gently saw back and forth, turning the cake as you cut to maintain an even thickness.
If you’re nervous about freehand slicing, you can use toothpicks as a guide by inserting them around the cake at the desired height.
Variations
Chocolate chip banana poppyseed cake: Fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet, chocolaty twist.
Nutty banana poppyseed cake recipe: Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the bananas.
Buttercream: You could also make a lemon buttercream frosting in your mixer instead of a glaze on your banana bread cake. For a tangier version, try making your cake with cream cheese frosting.
Vanilla: If you aren't into lemon, make a poppy seed cake with vanilla frosting for on top of the cake recipe instead. Just a teaspoon of vanilla will do.
More Cake Recipes You'll Like
- Cherry cheesecake bars
- Coca Cola cake
- Cranberry cheesecake in jars (no bake)
- Easter cakes (minis
- Rhubarb Pie Cake
📖Recipe
Banana Poppy Seed Cake With Lemon Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup banana puree
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt, not greek
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoon shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 pinch of salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- butter or oil, for greasing the pan
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- more poppyseed and coconut for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Prepare Pan: Get a 10-inch round baking pan. Lightly grease it with oil or butter, then dust it with flour. Shake out any extra flour.butter or oil
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, salt, baking powder and baking soda.2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 pinch of salt, ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric, ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Mix Wet Ingredients: in another large bowl, mix banana puree with vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla, and sour cream.1 cup white granulated sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ cup banana puree
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Add Extras: Stir in poppy seeds and coconut.2 tablespoon shredded coconut, 2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes. If the top gets too brown, cover it with foil.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool.
- Decorate: Prepare the glaze and decorate the cooled cake.1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, more poppyseed and coconut for decoration
Notes
- To Store. Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Freezing. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
- To Reheat. Allow the frozen cake to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Nutrition
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
Poppy seeds add a subtle nutty flavor and a slight crunch, enhancing both the taste and texture of baked goods.
Yes, bananas can become too old if they are overly fermented or moldy; they should be ripe but not spoiled.
Your cake may be dry if the flour was over-measured, the batter was overmixed, or it was baked too long.
You can dust the cake with powdered sugar, top it with whipped cream, or spread a layer of cream cheese frosting.
Yes, you can leave out the poppy seeds, and the cake will still be delicious without them.
Yes, mashed bananas can replace eggs in some cakes, with ¼ cup of mashed banana per egg, as a general rule, though the texture may be slightly denser.
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