Ina Garten’s Bright Lemon Poppyseed Cake Recipe for Summer

Zesty and light, this lemon poppyseed cake brings sunshine to any kitchen.

Soft crumbs bursting with bright citrus notes create an irresistible dessert experience.

Delicate poppy seeds add subtle crunch and visual interest throughout each slice.

Home bakers adore the simplicity and elegance of this classic treat.

Buttermilk ensures a tender, moist texture that melts in your mouth.

The balanced combination of tangy lemon and sweet cake creates pure magic.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary: grab your apron and let’s bake!

Why Lemon Poppyseed Cake Brightens Every Bite

• Burst with Bright Citrus Flavors: This lemon poppyseed cake delivers a zesty punch that wakes up your taste buds with vibrant lemon notes dancing through every bite, creating a refreshing and tangy experience that feels like sunshine on a plate.
• Perfectly Moist Texture Sensation: The combination of buttermilk and lemon syrup ensures an incredibly tender, soft cake that stays wonderfully moist, with poppy seeds adding a delightful subtle crunch that makes each slice irresistibly enjoyable.
• Simple Yet Sophisticated Baking Method: Ina Garten's foolproof technique makes this cake approachable for bakers of all levels, using straightforward steps that create a stunning Bundt cake with professional-looking results that will impress family and friends without requiring advanced baking skills.
• Versatile Dessert for Any Occasion: Whether served as a stunning brunch centerpiece, afternoon tea treat, or elegant dessert, this lemon poppyseed cake transitions beautifully between casual gatherings and more formal events, making it a go-to recipe for multiple celebrations.

Ingredients That Make This Cake Sing

• Buttermilk: Smooth, tangy dairy product that provides moisture and tenderness to the cake.
• Poppy Seeds: Small black seeds that add subtle nutty flavor and interesting texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Standard baking flour that creates the cake's structural foundation.
• Cornstarch: Helps to create a more delicate, tender crumb in the cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Additional leavening agent that works with acidic ingredients.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy cake texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning and moisture retention.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, fresh citrus notes to the cake.

• Lemon Juice: Creates a tangy syrup and glaze for additional moisture and flavor.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze with a glossy finish.

Steps to Bake a Poppyseed Classic

Step 1: Prepare Buttermilk Poppy Seed Base

Combine buttermilk and poppy seeds in a measuring cup. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 2 hours to develop rich flavors.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously coat a Bundt pan with baking spray, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Gradually add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract and fresh lemon zest. Scrape down the bowl sides to ensure even mixing.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Step 6: Create Liquid Mixture

Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice with the prepared buttermilk and poppy seed mixture.

Step 7: Blend Cake Batter

Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture in three portions, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined to maintain cake’s tender texture.

Step 8: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, checking doneness with a cake tester that should come out clean when inserted.

Step 9: Prepare Lemon Syrup

In a saucepan, heat remaining sugar and lemon juice until sugar completely dissolves, creating a bright, tangy syrup.

Step 10: Soak and Cool Cake

Remove cake from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack placed over a plate. Slowly spoon warm lemon syrup over the cake, allowing it to absorb completely. Cool for at least 30 minutes.

Step 11: Add Finishing Glaze

Whisk confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until smooth and slightly runny. Drizzle glaze elegantly over the cooled cake, creating a beautiful, glossy finish.

Tips for Moistness and Lemon Zing

• Zest Like a Pro: Grate lemon zest carefully using a microplane for fine, fragrant shreds that maximize citrusy flavor without bitter white pith.
• Room Temperature Magic: Pull out buttermilk and eggs 30 minutes before baking to ensure smooth mixing and a more even cake texture.
• Poppy Seed Distribution Trick: Toss poppy seeds with a bit of flour before adding to batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Use a rubber spatula and make sweeping motions to combine ingredients, stopping just when flour streaks disappear to keep the cake tender.
• Moisture-Locking Glaze Hack: Poke warm cake with a skewer before drizzling lemon glaze to help it absorb deeper into the cake for maximum flavor and softness.

Keeping That Cake Fresh and Fluffy

• Refrigerator: Seal the cake in an airtight glass container to maintain maximum moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Protect the delicate crumb by placing a sheet of parchment paper between cake layers if stacking.
• Countertop: Keep the cake covered with a clean kitchen towel in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and prevent potential staleness.
• Freezer: Slice the cake before freezing to make future thawing easier and more convenient. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date and contents to track storage time. Frozen cake maintains quality for up to 3 months when properly sealed.

Try These Twists on Poppyseed Style

• Citrus Poppy Sensation: Replace lemon with orange zest and juice for a vibrant, tangy flavor profile that brightens the classic cake.
• Lavender Lemon Dream: Infuse the buttermilk with dried culinary lavender for a subtle floral note that complements the citrusy undertones.
• Almond Poppy Cloud: Swap half the all-purpose flour with almond flour and add a splash of almond extract to create a nutty, rich texture that elevates the cake's complexity.
• Herb-Infused Zinger: Incorporate finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the batter for an unexpected savory hint that balances the cake's sweetness.

Ending on a Citrus Note

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s lemon poppyseed cake, a delightful symphony of citrus and texture.

Rich buttermilk creates a tender crumb while poppy seeds add subtle crunch and visual intrigue.

Bright lemon notes dance through each slice, promising pure indulgence with every forkful.

Home bakers can easily master this sophisticated dessert that whispers elegance and comfort.

Garten’s signature style shines through complex yet approachable techniques that guarantee success.

Bake this magnificent cake, share its zesty charm on social media, spark conversations with fellow dessert enthusiasts, and watch as friends marvel at your culinary prowess.

Stuffed Cabbages Rolls Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Polish cabbage rolls reveal hearty comfort from Eastern European kitchens, nestling savory ground meat and rice within tender cabbage leaves. Rich tomato sauce bathes these delectable parcels, inviting you to savor generations of culinary tradition on your plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
• 1 head of cabbage
• 1 cup uncooked rice

Vegetables and Fruits:

• 2 grated onions
• 1 quince (peeled and sliced)

Seasonings and Sauce:

• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• Coriander (to taste)
• Tomato sauce (enough to cover the rolls)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring water to a vigorous boil. Submerge the whole cabbage head and cook for 10-15 minutes, rotating periodically until leaves become pliable and easily detachable. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
2. Combine ground meat, finely chopped onions, uncooked rice, salt, ground black pepper, and crushed coriander in a mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend ingredients until uniformly mixed.
3. Gently separate each cabbage leaf, carefully trimming the thick central stem to facilitate easier rolling.
4. Allocate approximately 2-of meat mixture onto the center of each leaf. Fold the sides inward, then roll tightly from bottom to top, creating compact cylindrical parcels.
5. Prepare a spacious cooking pot by placing a heat-resistant plate or heavy ceramic dish at the bottom to prevent rolls from sticking or breaking during cooking.
6. Arrange rolled cabbage parcels snugly in the pot, positioning quince slices strategically between layers. Pour tomato sauce generously, ensuring complete coverage of the rolls.
7. Secure the pot lid and bring contents to a medium simmer. Reduce heat and allow gentle cooking for 1.5-2 hours, periodically checking liquid levels and tenderness.
8. Verify doneness by piercing cabbage rolls – leaves should feel tender and filling completely cooked. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional warm tomato sauce and optional fresh herbs.

Notes

• Cabbage leaves are the secret weapon for creating tender, flavorful rolls that melt in your mouth.
• Trimming thick stems ensures easier rolling and prevents tough, chewy bites.
• Mixing meat with rice and spices creates a harmonious filling that bursts with traditional flavors.
• Layering rolls with quince adds a subtle sweetness that elevates the entire dish.
• Gentle simmering transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, hearty meal that tells a story of home cooking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling, Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 345 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg