Lemon Poppy Seed Cake has a little zing of sweet lemon freshness. It looks like bread but tastes like a cake.
Poppy seed cake is just so beautiful. The lemony yellow color speckled with tiny little poppy seeds is intriguing.
The only thing that you probably need to buy for this recipe is a jar of poppy seeds and possibly a lemon.
We live in the desert and are swimming in citrus this time of year. I happily have an orange a day and there are lemons galore.
Unfortunately, some extremely cold days got our grapefruit trees so we are hoping they come back. If not, have no fear, we will replant.
You will love yourself and your family will give you sparkling smiles if you make this cake.
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So ... go for it. Nothing is more satisfying than turning out something special with so little effort.
🥘 Ingredients
- All-purpose flour makes the cake lighter.
- Coconut sugar adds a different type of sweet flavor in a very understated way.
- Organic sugar is a delicious sweetener.
- Baking powder is a leavening agent.
- Sea salt is the perfect understated seasoning.
- Water is necessary liquid.
- Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor and richness to the cake.
- Almond extract adds a little bit of nutty flavor to the mix.
- Lemon juice just a little bit to add a tangy flavor.
- Poppy seeds are a classic for this light sweet loaf cake.
🔪 Instructions
- Lightly grease a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. The coconut sugar tastes delicious but it will turn the cake a little bit browner. I made this originally with all granulated sugar.
- Add the water, oil, almond extract, lemon juice. Mix well.
- Fold in the poppy seeds.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
- The edges are lightly golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Carefully turn out on a cooling rack to cool completely.
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If you take a photo of your lemon poppy seed cake I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.
Your opinion means a lot to me and if you'd like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I'd love to hear your thoughts.
📋 Recipe
Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar - or granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar - organic
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice - you can also substitute grapefruit juice
- 2- 4 tablespoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Lightly grease a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, sugars, baking powder and salt.
- Add the water, oil, almond extract, lemon juice. Mix well.
- Fold in the poppy seeds.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
- The edges are lightly golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully turn out on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Ginny McMeans
Oh thanks! That's great you've made it so many times Elisabeth. I was trying to cut down in the saturated fat. I'm glad you're goging to give it a try. 🙂
Elisabeth
Hello! I just noticed that you changed the recipe from coconut oil to olive oil, I've made your recipe several times and love it so I'm just curious why you made the change! Excited to try it with olive oil tomorrow!
Ginny McMeans
Hi Amalia! Yes, you can use cane sugar and any oil that you like, The same measurements. The water is used for moisture of course. You can certainly use any dairy-free milk if you like. I was keeping the flavor very clean without a chance of almond or coconut coming through. It is delicious.
Amalia
Hi! I'm planning to try out this recipe tomorrow... it looks great! But, do you know if I can substitute the coconut sugar for raw cane sugar? and, do you know a good substitute for the coconut oil? I was also wondering about the water... I've never made a cake recipe with water in it! What's the purpose of the water there? Thanks a lot! 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Thank is great and you are very welcome Stephanie! 20 Muffins is such a good idea. I want one right now 😀
Stephanie
I made the recipe as 20 muffins at 20 minutes in the oven and they were fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It will certainly be a new staple in my vegan home 🙂
Ginny McMeans
No Alissa, that is not alright. That is duplicate content and copyright infringement. It would be trouble for me and for you. You have to create your own recipes, take your own photos and write with your own words.
Alissa Ferrari
HI Ginny!
First of all, I love your lemon poppy seed recipe!!
I also have my own blog. It isn't quite finished yet; I still need to post my first blog. I thought your lemon poppy seed cake recipe was perfect for my first blog. I was wondering if it was alright if I posted your recipe on my blog? I would give full credit to you, of course. If not, I totally understand! Have a great day, Alissa.
Ginny McMeans
That will work! It will be a little different from the original but should be great. I think sweeter (cane sugar) and the applesauce (if not sweetened) and lemon zest should add to that nice tart contrast. Sounds wonderful and thanks so much for your feedback!
Alexia
I'm trying this now with a bit of a difference. I used 1 cup of cane sugar and substituted the oil for apple sauce to reduce the fat and sugar intake. I also added a teaspoon of lemon zest because I love the taste it gives and seeing the specs of zest in the cake. Tastes delicious so far, haven't had a proper slice yet, just (a few) crumbs while it cools!
Ginny McMeans
It surprises me that it was a lot darker. I am so sorry. I know that in photography you sometimes have to lighten the picture to compensate for light but your cake shouldn't be that much darker than the photo. White flour and white granulated sugar? I am stumped - again I apologize.
Ariane
Hello! My cake turned out a lot darker than yours, i.e close to ginger bread! The coconut sugar and the sugar itself being brown, how do you come up sith a white batter? Apart from that very nice cake. Thanks
Ginny McMeans
Yes Holley but cut the sugar back by 1/4 of a cup. So use 1 1/4 cup. That should work.
Holley
I don't have coconut sugar, could I just use a cup and a half of regular Lara sugar?
Ginny McMeans
Hahaha! Coconut Oil in the shower is excellent. Now for the poppy seed cake :). A light olive oil will work great and you could also melt dairy-free butter.
Abby
Hi there!
8' about to make this but realized my coconut oil has been sitting in my shower. What do you recommend using in place of coconut oil?
Ginny McMeans
Wonderful Melanie! That makes me feel so good and thank you for telling me 🙂
Melanie
Hi Ginny! I made this lemon poppy seed cake for my family this afternoon and they LOVED it! Thank you so much for a great recipe.
Ginny McMeans
That is fantastic Heather! Whole grain flour - excellent. Thanks for letting me know!
Heather
Made this last night using whole grain flour and lemon juice concentrate...AMAZING! I have no idea how there is any left in the fridge.
Ginny McMeans
That does get hard Lisa. I have to drive 40 minutes sometimes for ingredients but the internet is amazing for some things. Enjoy your new town!
Ginny McMeans
I am so sorry Rose - my notes say 2 cups. I have changed the recipe. Thank goodness you knew to add more liquid.
Lisa
I am out of cocunut sugar so am glad I can substitute with no issues. We just moved to a town that has ZERO vegan ingredients... not sure what I'm going to do about that. Hope I can order mail delivery for most things. Can't wait to have this melting in my mouth!! Thanks, Ginny!
Rose
Hi there, is 3 cups of flour correct? I have a feeling it should be 2 cups because mine turned out like bread dough...and then I had to add more liquid to salvage the cake - don't know if it'll be ok yet as it's baking in the oven right now but just thought I'd let you know.
Ginny McMeans
Hi Sonya! Coconut sugar is a Trader Joe's, Sprouts and natural food stores like that. Yes, you can use regular sugar and oil without any problem.
Sonya Rogers
and where do u find coconut sugar can I just use regular sugar and regular oil
Nancy [email protected]
I have actually not eaten too many things with poppy seed and never have baked with it but I know I would love this! Looks delicious!
Rose | The Clean Dish
Mmmm Lemon Poppy Seed Cake reminds me of home!! I wish I had a slice with my afternoon coffee 🙂
[email protected]
Love that you used coconut oil and coconut sugar in this bread. It looks delicious!
Cookin Canuck
I still remember the first time I tried lemon poppyseed cake, and I have been a sucker for it ever since. This looks wonderful!
Kim Beaulieu
I hear this ships really well. *wink wink*
I love lemon so this has to happen. Asap. It's so pretty, which is just a bonus.
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
You don't even want to know what I'd do for a slice of that lemon poppyseed cake right now--it's my favorite quick bread/cake.
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
I love the hint of almond extract in this! It makes it extra-special.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
This looks fantastic Ginny! I'm not sure if I have it for breakfast or dessert...but, I would sure enjoy that lemon, poppy seed combo!
Lora @cakeduchess
Lemon poppy seed cake has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl...it's one of the first cakes I learned how to bake! Now to make your fantastic vegan version!! (saw the comment about the dairy ads...I think they're gone now!!) xx
Melissa from Hungry Food Love
I soooo want to wake up to the smell of this cake. Ohh and plus a cup of tea 🙂 wow! that would be amazing
Ginny McMeans
Ugh! Thems is fightin words! I will go and give it a try and see if they can block some ads. Thanks for letting me know.
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
I love lemon poppy seed anything. I could go for a slice of this for breakfast!
Linda Watson
Looks delicious! BUT, do you have any control over who advertises on your blog? At the bottom of the second photo of the cake slices there's a banner ad for Dairy Farmers of Washington "Milk, There Is No Substitute, Choose Natural".... For a vegan site, them are fightin' words!!!
The Food Hunter
I've always wanted to make this...not sure why I haven't
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Oh this looks so good! You're right that poppy seed cakes always look so pretty 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Oops, I fixed the recipe. No vinegar for this cake. 🙂
Shawn K.
Thanks! Can't wait to make it!
Nancy
What is the measurement for the amount of vinegar in the Poppy seed cake recipe please ?