Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
This cake is infused with fresh lemon juice, giving it a vibrant, tangy kick, while the poppy seeds add a gentle nutty flavor and a pleasant texture throughout each bite.
Ingredients
- 1 15.25oz box White Cake Mix (Duncan Hines) do not follow instruction on package
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 cup water
- 4 large egg whites be sure to separate eggs
- 4 oz butter, melted which is 1/2 cup
- 1 cup sour cream which is 8 oz.
- 2 tablespoons oil, I use avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tablespooons poppy seeds
Lemon Sour Cream Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 small drop yellow food coloring
Toppings
- 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds for topping
- lemon slices, sugared, heated for garnish
- mint for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 335°. At that temperature, the cake will bake nice and even with a light golden color on top.
- Prepare the 13x9 cake pan with a baking spray or pan release.
- In the large bowl of a mixer, add the cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, lemon juice, water, egg whites, butter, sour cream, oil, lemon, and vanilla extract.
- Mix on low to combine, then increase the speed up to medium for 2 minutes, the batter will become smooth and thick.
- Mix in the poppy seeds.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan.
- Bake the cake for 40-50 minutes or until the cake is firm and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven, allow it to cool completely if you're serving it in the pan, or cool for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the frosting
- In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter until smooth for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom.
- Add in the sour cream and mix on medium speed.
- Add in the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon extract, and yellow coloring.
- Mix on high until well blended and smooth.
- Spread the frosting on the cake with the back of a spoon, creating swirls.
- Top with poppy seeds, mint, sugared lemon slices, or other toppings.