The Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is the perfect dessert for your family gathering. Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but the end result is a deliciously moist cake that isn't overly sweet thanks to the yummy combination of lemons and poppy seeds.

All it takes is a few simple ingredients and mere minutes of preparation time to make this sensational dessert. It's perfect for taking as a gift to a party or making ahead and just having in reserve as a special mid-week treat. Even if you don't usually buy a Bundt cake from a bakery or deli this one is worth adding to your list of favorites.
The Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is a fantastic dessert that will impress any crowd,
The Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is a fantastic dessert that will impress any crowd, large or small. This recipe is one that’s been shared between family, friends, and even total strangers when they taste it! The combination of the tart lemon flavor, the sweet sugar in the topping, and the nuttiness of the poppy seed make for an incredibly unique confection.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing sidedish recipe.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients needed to make Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
- Bundt Cake Ingredients:
Non-stick cooking spray
1 c. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1¼ c. granulated sugar, divided
- 1 t. real vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
⅓ c. lemon juice - ¾ c. sour cream
- 4 c. flour
- 1¼ t. baking soda
- 1¼ t. baking powder
- 2 T. poppy seeds1 T. lemon zest, preferably organic
Non-stick cooking spray
- Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
1 c. powdered sugar
⅛ c. whole milk*
1 T. fresh lemon juice - *Add additional milk a little at a time, if necessary, to reach desired consistency

Instructions for making Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
1-Place the top oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a standard-sized Bundt pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2-Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, eggs, lemon juice, and sour cream and mix until smooth.
3-Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, poppy seeds, and lemon zest in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients slowly to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
4-Transfer the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Place in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5-While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon glaze by blending the ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
6-Remove from oven and place a hot pan on a wire rack to cool for 30-40 minutes. To serve, remove the cake from the pan and slice. Drizzle with some lemon glaze right before serving.
Enjoy!




Baking Utensils & Tools
- 10–12 cup Bundt pan (essential for the cake’s shape)
- Non-stick cooking spray (to grease the pan thoroughly)
- Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer for creaming butter/sugar and mixing batter)
- Mixing bowls (large for batter, medium for dry ingredients, small for glaze)
- Measuring cups and spoons (for precise ingredient quantities)
- Rubber spatula (to scrape batter and fold in poppy seeds/lemon zest)
- Whisk (to combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder)
- Zester or microplane (for fresh lemon zest)
- Citrus juicer (to extract lemon juice for batter and glaze)
- Cooling rack (to cool the cake after baking)
- Sifter or fine-mesh sieve (for powdered sugar in the glaze)
- Small bowl and whisk (to mix lemon glaze)
- Oven thermometer (optional but helpful for accurate baking temperature)
- Cake tester or toothpick (to check if the cake is baked through)
- Serrated knife (optional, to level the cake if needed before glazing)
- Serving plate (to invert and present the cake)
Variations on the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake Recipe
If you want to add a twist to your dessert routine, the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake recipe is a perfect choice. There are lots of variations you can make to this classic cake which makes it ideal for any family gathering or dinner party. To give it an extra level of flavor, add some fresh fruit like blueberries and raspberries. You could even drizzle some melting chocolate over top for a rich and decadent dessert. To make it healthier, substitute coconut oil for the butter and use almond milk in place of regular milk. And if you have someone with a sweet tooth in your family, add some white chocolate chips into the mix! No matter what variations you come up with, this Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake will delight everyone at your next event.
Equipment used in making the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake Recipe
Bundt pan
Mixing Bowl
Storage for the the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
When it comes to storing a special dessert like Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake, the answer really depends on the recipe. If you make your cake from scratch, it will be best to consume it within 24 hours in order to get the full flavor and texture. You can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. However, if you buy a store-bought version, you can expect it to last up to one week in the fridge before it diminishes in quality. No matter what type of recipe you use or how long you decide to store your delicious dessert for, Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake serves as a perfect treat for any family occasion or even as an indulgence at parties.
Top tips when making the the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake Recipe
To make sure your Bundt cake comes out just right, there are some top tips you should follow. Be sure to leave enough time to properly combine the ingredients and let it cool completely before serving. Additionally, if you don't have any lemons on hand, feel free to use other citrus fruits for a unique twist. Lastly, when garnishing your cake with sugar and edible flowers or other decorations, be conservative—you don’t want these decorations overpowering the bright lemony flavor of your dessert!
Related
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Pairing
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Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
the Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is the perfect dessert for your family gathering. Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but the end result is a deliciously moist cake that isn't overly sweet thanks to the yummy combination of lemons and poppy seeds.
Ingredients
-
- Bundt Cake Ingredients:
Non-stick cooking spray
1 c. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- Bundt Cake Ingredients:
-
- 1¼ c. granulated sugar, divided
-
- 1 t. real vanilla extract
-
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
⅓ c. lemon juice
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
-
- ¾ c. sour cream
-
- 4 c. flour
-
- 1¼ t. baking soda
-
- 1¼ t. baking powder
-
- 2 T. poppy seeds1 T. lemon zest, preferably organic
Non-stick cooking spray
- 2 T. poppy seeds1 T. lemon zest, preferably organic
-
- Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
1 c. powdered sugar
⅛ c. whole milk*
1 T. fresh lemon juice
- Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
-
- *Add additional milk a little at a time, if necessary, to reach desired consistency
Instructions
1-Place the top oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a standard-sized Bundt pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2-Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, eggs, lemon juice, and sour cream and mix until smooth.
3-Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, poppy seeds, and lemon zest in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients slowly to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
4-Transfer the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Place in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5-While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon glaze by blending the ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
6-Remove from oven and place a hot pan on a wire rack to cool for 30-40 minutes. To serve, remove the cake from the pan and slice. Drizzle with some lemon glaze right before serving.
Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes

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