Lemon Poppy Seed Passover Sponge Cake Recipes

LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray and dust with sugar. Be sure the entire pan is coated (see note below).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. With the mixer on low speed, beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Beat in another quarter of the flour mixture, then another third of the milk mixture. Repeat with another quarter of the flour mixture and the remaining milk mixture. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and give a quick mix with a rubber spatula to make sure all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for ten minutes on a rack.
• While the cake cools, make the syrup. Combine the water and granulated sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• Invert the warm cake onto the rack. Slip a large piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil under the rack to catch all the drips from the syrup. Gradually brush the hot syrup over the cake, letting it soak in (a little syrup will drip off, but try not to rush so that most of it is absorbed). Allow the cake to cool completely, about one hour. When the cake is cool, carefully transfer it to a serving platter.
• To make the glaze: stir the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl, mixing until completely smooth. Add more confectioners' sugar if necessary to make a thick, opaque glaze (it should be thicker than you'd think -- you want it the consistency of honey or molasses). Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze harden before slicing and serving the cake, about 15 minutes. The cake will keep nicely for 3 days if kept covered on the countertop.
• Note: If you'd like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
• Note: You'll need 3 large lemons for this recipe
• Note: As the recipe indicates, I grease the Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and then dust it with sugar. It has always worked beautifully for me, but a number of readers have mentioned problems with the cake sticking. If you'd prefer to use a different method, treat the pan by generously coating it with butter and then dusting it with flour, or use a nonstick baking spray with flour like Pam with Flour or Baker's Joy. (Also, it's best not to use a Bundt pan with an intricate design for this cake, as they are more prone to sticking.) Another option (that is foolproof) is to use two 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pans instead of a Bundt pan. Loaf pans are much less prone to sticking, and you can line them with parchment paper for extra insurance. To prepare the loaf pans, spray them with nonstick baking spray, line the bottoms with parchment, and then spray them again. The bake time will be 50 to 60 minutes, and you will only need half of the soaking syrup.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen (without the glaze) for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. (Add the glaze after the cake is thawed.)

LEMON POPPYSEED CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). 2
• . Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
• . Add the butter, oil, sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and beat together until light in color and fluffy, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time.
• . Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
• . Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined.
• . Combine the milk and lemon juice, then slowly add the mixture to the batter and mix until well combined.
• . Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter.
• . Add the lemon zest and poppy seeds and gently stir to combine.
• . Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
• 0. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.
• 1. To make the frosting, add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until well combined and smooth.
• 2. Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
• 3. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until well combined.
• 4. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Add more or less powdered sugar, as desired for consistency purposes.
• 5. To put the cake together, use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the top of the cakes so that they're flat, if needed. 16
• Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round. 17
• Spread about 1 cup of frosting evenly on top of the cake. 18
• Add the second layer of cake and another cup of frosting. 19
• Top the cake with the remaining layer and frost the outside of the cake. Refer to my tutorial for frosting a smooth cake, if needed. To make the line pattern in the side of the cake, I used one of the decorative sides on this icing smoother. 20
• Finish off the cake as you like. I added rosettes around the top outer edge and sprinkled on some poppy seeds. I also added some lemon slices. 21
• Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. Cake is best served cool, but not necessarily cold.

LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Pour the buttermilk into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, stir in the poppy seeds, and set aside at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly spray the inside of a Bundt pan with the baking spray and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 cups of the granulated sugar on medium speed for about 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, the vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• Sift the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the lemon juice to the buttermilk mixture. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula to be sure the batter is well mixed. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and the remaining 1/2 cup of lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until the sugar dissolves. Set aside. When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a baking rack set over a large plate. Spoon the warm lemon syrup slowly over the cake, allowing it to be absorbed into the cake. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to cool.
• For the glaze, whisk the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl, adding a little more sugar or lemon juice to make a smooth, thick, but pourable glaze. Drizzle over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Transfer to a flat cake plate and serve at room temperature.

LEMON POPPY SEED PASSOVER SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake:.
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg yolks and 1 cup of the sugar. Start the mixer on low speed and gradually increase to high speed. Beat until the mixture is thick, moussy and pale yellow, about 8 minutes. Beat in the lemon zest, lemon juice and poppy seeds.
• Sift the matzah meal cake flour and potato starch over the yolk mixture, but don't mix.
• Place the egg whites in a clean mixing bowl. Beat on low speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the cream of tartar and salt. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 more minutes. Increase the speed to high and add the remaining sugar gradually over 4 minutes.
• Whisk the egg yolk-matzah mixture just to mix. Gently fold the whites into the yolk mixture.
• Spoon the batter into an ungreased 10" tube pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, until the cakeis browned and springy to the touch.
• Immediately invert the pan on th eneck of a bottle until the cake is completely cool. Slide a knife around the pan and unmold the cake onto a round platter.
• For the glaze:.
• Sift the confectioner's sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice and zest and whisk to mix. The glaze should be thick but pourable. Adjust the consistancy by adding lemon juice if it is too thick and confectioner's suger if it is too thin. Spoon the glaze over the cake. When you are ready to serve, use a serrated knife to cut the cake.

BEST POPPY SEED CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, soak poppy seeds in water 1 hour. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325°. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda together twice; place in another large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, oil, vanilla and poppy seed mixture. Add to flour mixture; beat until well blended., Add cream of tartar to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on high speed just until stiff but not dry. Fold a fourth of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites., Gently transfer to an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on lowest oven rack 50-55 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely in pan, about 1 hour. Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate., In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, butter and vanilla; pour over cake. If desired, top with flowers.

GLAZED LEMON POPPY-SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Butter a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl.
• Beat together butter and granulated sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs until combined. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and poppy seeds and mix until just combined.
• Transfer batter to cake pan, smoothing top, and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean and top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack.
• Whisk together confectioners sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth. Pour glaze over warm cake, spreading it with a spatula to drizzle over edge. Let stand until glaze is set, about 15 minutes.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

PASSOVER LEMON SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 10-inch angel food cake pan.
• Beat the egg yolks into a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Gradually add the sugar until completely incorporated. Beat in the orange juice, lemon zest, and orange zest. Sift the potato flour and matzo cake meal together in a bowl; gently stir into the egg yolk mixture.
• Beat the egg whites in a bowl with the salt using an electric mixer on high speed until stiff and shiny. Use a rubber spatula to fold 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Gently run the spatula through the center of the mixture, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated. Add the remaining egg whites, folding until just incorporated. Gently pour the batter into the prepared angel food cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cake is set and lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from oven, invert the pan, and let cool completely before removing the cake from the pan.

LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the bottom and sides of a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt® generously.
• Beat sugar and butter together in a bowl with an electric mixer until light; beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reduce mixing speed and add poppy seeds, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
• Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in another bowl. Beat in flour mixture slowly, alternating with buttermilk.
• Spoon batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 65 to 75 minutes.