Name: Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 175 g Butter or baking spread (softened, unsalted); 175 g Caster sugar; 3 Eggs (large); 175 g Self raising flour; 1 tbsp Poppy seeds; 2 Lemons (zest only); 200 g Lemon curd (good quality shop bought or homemade); 200 g Butter (softened, unsalted); 400 g Icing sugar; 2 tsp Lemon extract; 2-3 tbsp Milk; Poppy seeds; Lemon zest

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These beautiful fluffy Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes have lemon zest and poppy seeds mixed into the batter. I've added a hidden lemon curd filling, because yum, but this is optional. On top is a smooth lemon buttercream. This is such a classic bake that's so simple to make, and they're so fresh and delicious too!

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Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the butter and eggs) are at room temperature before you start baking.
For the best flavour, make sure to use a good quality lemon extract and not an essence. I like Nielsen Massey and Steenbergs.
I used a baking spread for the cupcakes and unsalted butter for the buttercream.
If you would like to make your own lemon curd for the cupcakes, check out my Homemade Lemon Curd recipe.
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50).
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes

Start by mixing the baking spread (or butter) and caster sugar together in a mixing bowl for 5 minutes using an electric mixer. Or mix in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Then add the eggs, and mix until fully incorporated. Gently fold in, or whisk by hand, the self raising flour, poppy seeds and lemon zest.

Divide the mixture between the cupcake cases. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until risen and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Place on a cooling rack and leave to cool fully.

Once they are fully cool, use a cupcake corer to make a hole in the middle of each cupcake. Fill the holes with lemon curd. To make the buttercream, mix the softened butter for a few minutes on it's own. This is best done in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or you can use an electric hand mixer. Then add the icing sugar, milk and lemon extract, and mix until combined. Spread or pipe it onto the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with poppy seeds and lemon zest.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

What lemon curd should you use?

If you are using a shop bought lemon curd, make sure to get a good quality one. They are worth the extra pennies for that delicious lemon zing! If you fancy giving Homemade Lemon Curd a try, check out my recipe. It's easy and quick to make with only a few ingredients, it's also creamy and silky smooth, and the flavour is incredible!

How long do the cupcakes last for and can they be frozen?

The cupcakes will last for 2-3 days in an airtight container in a cool place. You can freeze both the cupcakes and the buttercream. To freeze them separately, wrap the cupcakes well in cling film or put them in an airtight container. The buttercream can be frozen in a sealed tub. To freeze them decorated, freeze the cupcakes on a plate until frozen solid, then carefully wrap in cling film. Remove the clingfilm when you take the cupcakes out of the freezer to defrost, as if they defrost with it still on it could damage the appearance of the buttercream.

Can you make the cupcakes with plain/all purpose flour?

Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

Is butter or a baking spread better for cupcakes?

I prefer to use a baking spread (my preferred brand is Stork) for cupcake and cake sponges. I find that they are easier to use and they make the sponge rise more. You can also use most baking spread straight from the fridge, which is handy during a last minute baking emergency!

Should you use salted or unsalted butter for cupcakes?

I always use unsalted butter and baking spread for baking. This is because if you want to add salt to your recipe, you then have complete control of the salt level. Lots of people add salt to enhance the flavour of baked goods, so when you do this you want to know exactly how much you're adding. I personally prefer not to add salt to cakes and cupcakes. However, using a salted butter or baking spread will not affect the bake negatively and won't make it taste salty.

Do you have to beat the butter and sugar together for the full 5 minutes?

You don't have to, but I do recommend doing this to achieve the same results as me. I like a very slight bump or dome on my cupcakes, and for them to rise all the way to the top of the cupcake cases. I've tested this recipe multiple times and found that beating the butter and sugar together for 5 minutes achieves what I consider to be the perfect rise!

Do you need an electric mixer to make this recipe?

While you can absolutely make this recipe with a wooden spoon and some elbow grease, I do recommend using an electric mixer for the best results. The cupcakes will be lighter and fluffier when made with an electric mixer. The buttercream will also be smoother. You don't have to use an expensive stand mixer either, you can get electric hand whisks for as little as £10!

Can these cupcakes be made gluten free?

Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add additional baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons additional baking powder. You may also like to add ¼ tsp xanthan gum for better texture. You will also need to decorate the cupcakes with a gluten free suitable product. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cupcakes if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

Can these cupcakes be made dairy free?

For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread and dairy free milk for the buttercream. For the buttercream I recommend using a block butter alternative, such as Flora Plant or the Stork Baking Block, for best results. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cupcakes if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

More tips for making the Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes:

I really do recommend using lemon extract for the buttercream, lemon juice is not as concentrated in flavour and you won't get the same lemony zing from it. You can find lemon extract in most supermarkets, I've bought it in Tesco before, and you can buy it online via Amazon and other retailers.
The lemon curd filling is optional.
I used a Wilton 2D nozzle to pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes.
You can spread the buttercream onto the cupcakes with a spoon if you don’t want to pipe it.

Troubleshooting

My number one tip for getting the best results is to read through this whole page of tips and recommendations before starting, and follow the recipe exactly. If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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