Easy Lemon Birthday Cake with Poppy Seeds and Cream Topping Recipe
This Easy Lemon Birthday Cake recipe is a delightful and tangy treat featuring a moist lemon-infused cake layered and topped with fluffy whipped cream. Enhanced with fresh lemon zest and poppy seeds, this cake offers a perfect balance of bright citrus flavor and subtle crunch, making it an ideal celebratory dessert that’s simple to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-27 minutes
- Total Time: 40-42 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake
- ½ cup butter
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup milk
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
For the Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 170°C (about 340°F). Line two springform or baking pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cake removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract thoroughly. Next, blend in the oil, milk, and fresh lemon juice to the mixture, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture over the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until just combined to avoid overmixing. Fold in the poppy seeds and fresh lemon zest evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely before removing them from the pans to ensure they hold their shape.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping: In a clean bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. This will create a thick, spreadable frosting.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread a generous layer of the whipped cream evenly over the top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and cover the entire cake—top and sides—with the remaining whipped cream. Reserve a small portion of the cream for decoration.
- Decorate: Use a pastry bag filled with the reserved whipped cream to pipe small decorative flowers on the cake’s surface. Finish by sprinkling additional poppy seeds over the cake for texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.
- You can substitute the oil with melted butter if preferred for a richer taste.
- The cake layers can be made a day ahead and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to retain moisture.
- For a dairy-free version, try substituting heavy cream with coconut cream and using a suitable flour alternative.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best vibrant flavor.
Keywords: lemon birthday cake, lemon cake with whipped cream, poppy seed lemon cake, easy lemon cake recipe, homemade birthday cake, citrus cake
