Moist Tender Poppy Seed Muffins (Printable)

Moist muffins bursting with crunchy poppy seeds and citrus notes, ideal for any time of day.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
04 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 2/3 cup whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
11 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk the whole milk, melted butter, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined; avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
05 - Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • They're impossibly moist and tender, almost buttery on the inside while staying light enough to eat two without guilt
  • The poppy seeds and lemon zest create this sophisticated flavor that tastes homemade and special, but nobody needs to know how easy they are
  • Ready in 35 minutes flat, they're perfect for weekend mornings or when you want to bring something impressive to brunch
  • They freeze beautifully, so you can have fresh muffins whenever the craving hits
02 -
  • Don't overmix the batter—this is the most common mistake and it's the difference between tender, delicate muffins and tough, cakey ones. Gentle folding is everything.
  • Use fresh poppy seeds and fresh baking powder. Old leavening agents won't give you proper rise, and old poppy seeds taste off. Check the dates on your jars.
  • Room temperature wet ingredients mix more smoothly and create better batter. Cold eggs and milk take longer to incorporate and can lead to lumpy texture.
03 -
  • Invest in an oven thermometer and verify your oven temperature. Many home ovens run hot or cool, and accurate temperature is crucial for even baking.
  • Don't open the oven door while they're baking. I learned this the hard way—the temperature drop can cause uneven rising and dense spots.
  • Use good quality vanilla extract and fresh spices. These small ingredients make an outsized difference in how the finished muffins taste.

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