Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

This luscious, lemon poppy seed cake is filled with sweet lemon curd and a delicious pastry cream. You’ll be whipping this up all spring long!

No one would ever know how simple this cake is, based on how impressive it looks! For more simple layer cakes, try Pistachio Layer Cake or S’mores Layer Cake.

A slice of lemon Poppy Seed Cake on a white plate

Perfect for Spring and Easter!

Guys, this was it, the one and only dessert I made on Easter Sunday. Can you believe it?! Since we had a busy weekend/planned on preparing dinner for 7 adults and 3 kiddos, I wasn’t about to go over-the-top like I usually do.

To be honest though, I’m glad I didn’t. This cake was a huge hit! So much so, that I made it again a few days later. And just like Easter, each slice disappeared right before my very eyes. Magic! 

With the bright lemon flavor, it’s a great dessert to make all spring long. And with how simple (yet impressive) it is, making it all season is actually quite feasible. 😉 

A bowl of lemon curd to use between Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

The first time I made this Lemon Poppy Seed Cake I had some help from my mom. She made the lemon curd and pastry cream for me, which was really nice because the “filling” was done and all I needed to do was bake the layers.

The second time I made the cake it was all me, and while it’s all totally worth it, I will admit it does take a bit of planning.

Lemon Curd

To start, you’ll want to make the lemon curd. This is a quick & easy method that I just love! I used the juice and zest of meyer lemons and let me tell you, it was AMAZING!

I guess I’ve always had really egg-heavy versions and nothing sweet like this. All I can say is that I’d eat this lemon curd on just about anything. It’s divine.

Once the lemon curd is done, tuck it away in the refrigerator to set/chill while you whip up the pastry cream.

Pastry Cream

I absolutely adore homemade pastry cream. I made it a while back for eclairs and have wanted to make it again ever since.

This time around I added lemon juice and lemon zest to give it a nice kick (again, using meyer lemons). You can decide whether to use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to flavor it, I chose the later. Cover the pastry cream and chill while you prepare the cake.

Frosting lemon poppy seed cake

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Let’s talk about the cake, shall we? It’s pretty much the moistest, fluffiest, most lemony cake I’ve ever had.

CREAM. It all starts with creaming the butter and sugar for 5 minutes. Yes, 5 whole minutes. I used my stand mixer, but a hand one will do too, just be patient. Add in the remaining ingredients, then fold in the whipped egg whites. This will give the cake that light, airy texture we all love.

BAKE. Divide the batter between three round 9-inch pans and bake until golden brown on top, about 20-25 minutes.

Assemble

LAYER. When the cakes have completely cooled, assemble the cake by placing one layer of cake onto a platter or cake stand, then topping with ⅓ of the pastry cream and lemon curd.

GLAZE. Continue with the remaining ingredients, then take a spatula or knife and drag any that squished out between the layers onto the “crust” of the cake. It’ll create a nice glaze on the outside, which means this cake is frosting-free. And trust me, you won’t miss it one bit!

GARNISH + CHILL. Garnish with slices of lemon, sprinkle of poppy seeds and a few sprigs of mint. Chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing and serving. 

Close up of lemon poppy seed cake layers

Additional Recipe Tips

Meyer lemons: Meyer lemons are a little sweeter than normal lemons, so it is recommended that you use Meyer lemons to create a sweet flavor in your curd, cream, and cake!

Can you make it in a 9×13 pan? You should be able to bake both round pans in one 9×13 pan. The bake time might differ however!

There are several things you can do to MAKE AHEAD different parts of the cake:

  • Cake as a whole: This cake will last a while, so you can make it a day or two ahead of time.
  • Curd: Lemon curd will actually last for 3-4 weeks in the fridge! Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze lemon curd for about a year in an airtight container and then thaw it in the fridge.
  • Pastry cream: It should last for up to 5 days covered in the fridge.

Keep leftover cake lightly covered with plastic wrap and STORED in the fridge for 4-5 days.

To FREEZE, let the cream harden for a little bit in the fridge and then tightly wrap the cake in 2 layers plastic wrap and 1 layer of foil. When you’re ready to eat, let the cake thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with an orange slice on top

I’d highly recommend making this lemon poppy seed layer cake for any springtime special occasion It’s seriously perfect!!

For more lemon desserts, try:

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake | lifemadesimplebakes.com

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake Recipe

This luscious, lemon poppy seed cake is filled with sweet lemon curd and a delicious pastry cream. You'll be whipping this up all spring long!
4.72 from 25 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Cakes & Cheesecakes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 533kcal
Author: Andrea
Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the Lemon Curd

  • 1/2 cup meyer lemon juice
  • 1 tsp meyer lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • pinch kosher sea salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 6 tbsp butter - cubed

For the Pastry Cream

  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1/8 tsp kosher sea salt
  • 2 cup half and half
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp meyer lemon juice
  • 2 tsp meyer lemon zest - finely grated
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract - OR vanilla bean paste

For the Cake

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter - room temperature
  • 2 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 eggs - separated
  • 2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp meyer lemon juice - fresh
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp meyer lemon zest
  • 2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt - room temperature

For the Garnish

  • 1 meyer lemon - sliced
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds
  • 5-6 sprigs fresh mint

Instructions

For the Lemon Curd
  • In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar and eggs, set over low heat. Add the butter and continue whisking until it melts. Let the mixture cook until it thickens, about 8 minutes, then turn heat up to medium-high and continue cooking for 2-4 minutes or until it reaches a temperature of 160 degrees. Transfer to a bowl, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd and refrigerate.
For the Pastry Cream
  • Place mesh strainer over medium bowl; set aside.
  • In separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt; set aside. Place half and half and in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat, stirring occasionally just until it bubbles. Gradually pour the hot half and half into egg yolk mixture, whisking vigorously (temper the eggs). Gradually pour the mixture back into the sauce pan. Whisk constantly until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Whisk for an additional minute.
  • Pour the cooked cream into the strainer, whisking to force it through. Whisk in the butter, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest into the hot cream. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of cream and refrigerate.
For the Cake
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of three 8 or 9-inch pans with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and 1 cup of the sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, poppy seeds, baking sodam and salt; set aside.
  • Turn mixing speed to low, add the egg yolks, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Add the lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon zest and beat until combined. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and the yogurt, mixing just until combined.
  • In a clean mixing bowl, with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites and remaining cup of sugar until they reach stiff peaks. Fold the meringue into batter until just combined. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Place the two pans into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched. DO NOT OVER-BAKE. Bake the final cake layer. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto wire racks.
To Assemble the Cake
  • Place one layer of cooled cake onto a platter or cake stand. Add spread ⅓ of the pastry cream over top, then ⅓ of the lemon curd. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Level the top then scrape any excess cream/curd from the sides onto the outer crust of the cake. This will create a glaze over it and will give it the look of a "naked" cake, or one that's not completely "frosted."
  • Garnish with slices of meyer lemon, poppy seeds and sprigs of fresh mint, if desired. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing and serving.

NOTES

-I used meyer lemons instead of regular lemons for this recipe, because I love the sweetness they add. However, regular lemons can be used.
-I used a kitchen scale to accurately divide the batter between the three pans. You can definitely eyeball it too 🙂

Nutrition

Serving: 14serving | Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 236mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 143mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 940IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

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Comments:

  1. Just made this with my almost 11 year old for his birthday cake. He wanted lemon poppy seed and we chose this one. He had great fun doing most of the work and experimenting for the first time with lemon curd and pastry cream. We served about 20, mostly adults, but several kids as well and everyone loved it, of all ages. Thank you for the thorough explanation. You made his birthday. He was quite proud.
    Marielle