Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

Brighten your day with these vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes! They're the perfect treat: zesty, fluffy, and delightfully dotted with poppy seeds.

I love these treats but must keep my baking days in check. Why? Because these cupcakes are like a snacking trap - I start with "just tasting" the batter (it's so good!), snag a cupcake fresh from the oven (it's so good!), and grab several more on multiple kitchen drive-bys (they're still good!). Next thing you know, I'm in a full-blown sugar coma, swearing off sweets while secretly planning my next batch. They're dangerously delicious, folks!

I don't find icing these treats necessary, but for my kids and any of you who dig it, I've included a delicious, super simple glaze option in the recipe card, or you can use a Vegan Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.

Glaze or no glaze had me debating: should they be called vegan lemon poppy seed muffins or cupcakes? Skipping the glaze feels very muffin-esque, but I've dubbed them cupcakes because of their sweet, light, and cakey vibe. Frosting or not, call them what you like - vegan muffins or vegan cupcakes - they're scrumptiously tasty either way!

If you're looking for muffins, try these treats Savory Vegan Zucchini Muffins. For other delicious vegan desserts, take a look at Vegan Chocolate Pudding Parfait or Vegan Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie (BJ's Copycat).

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here’s why you'll fall in love with these vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes:

• Bright Lemon Flavor: Each bite bursts with fresh lemony zest.
• Perfectly Moist: These cupcakes are moist.
• Crunchy Poppy Seeds: Adds a delightful texture with each bite and makes it look so pretty.
• Vegan-Friendly: No dairy or eggs, ideal for everyone to enjoy.
• Light and Fluffy: You can achieve a delightful, airy texture without traditional baking ingredients.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these amazing Vegan lemon poppy mini cakes. See the recipe card for quantities.

Ingredient Notes

• Flour: I typically use all-purpose flour for vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes. Sifting it with the baking powder aerates the flour making the cupcakes lighter and finer. But it's not absolutely necessary. Even without sifting, the cupcakes turn out wonderfully.
• Lemon Juice - This recipe is loaded with lemon juice, and there's no cutting corners here! It's crucial for achieving that vibrant lemon flavor, and skipping it would throw off the whole baking chemistry.
• Soy Milk - I have only used soy milk and oat milk to make these cupcakes, but almond milk should work fine too.

How To Make Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes

Here are some pictures showing what you'll be doing. These cupcakes come together quickly. Check out the recipe card for details.

Step 1: Set oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, mix softened butter until smooth, then add sugar until incorporated well. Scrape the bowl occasionally. Use an electric hand mixer for best results.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients - lemon juice, vanilla extract, and zest, and mix until well combined with the sugar and butter mixture.

Step 3: Sift the flour and baking soda directly into the bowl with the sugar mixture.

Step 4: Then, add the remaining dry ingredients - poppy seeds and salt.

Step 5: Gradually pour in milk while mixing gently.

Step 6: Distribute cupcake batter evenly in liners, filling each ⅔ full.

Step 7: Cook for 18-22 minutes; check with a toothpick, making sure it's cooked through.

Step 8: Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

Step 9: Make the lemony glaze if using. Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest.

Step 10: Drizzle the glaze onto the top of the cupcakes and let them cool to harden.

Recipe Tips

• Proper Measuring: This is my most important tip as it can make a dramatic difference. Ensure all ingredients are measured accurately, especially the leavening agents and flour, to achieve the best texture. To accurately measure flour, spoon it into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife, avoiding packing it down to prevent adding too much to your recipe.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring ingredients like non-dairy milk and vegan butter to room temperature for better mixing.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
• Zest: Use fresh lemon zest for the brightest flavor.
• Fill Evenly: Use a scoop to fill cupcake liners evenly to ensure uniform baking.
• Oven Position: Bake in the center of the oven to promote even cooking.
• Cooling: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• Use high-quality, thick liners: These are better at containing the grease.
• Cool cupcakes on a rack: This prevents steam from building up under the liners

Serving Suggestions

I like the cupcakes with no icing, but vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes are versatile and delicious, making them perfect for various serving options:

• With Lemon Glaze: Drizzle a simple light lemon glaze on top for extra zest. See the recipe card for directions.
• Fresh Berries: Top with fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries for a colorful, tasty addition.
• Vegan Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream to each cupcake for a classic touch.
• Lemon and Poppy Seed Garnish: Sprinkle lemon zest over the frosting for an intensified lemony kick and some extra poppy seeds.
• Dessert Platter: Serve alongside other vegan desserts like Vegan Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or Vegan Coffee Cake Cookies for a diverse dessert option at gatherings.

Storage and Reheating

Storage - Keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I don't refrigerate them. If you refrigerate them, they get firmer from the cold.

Reheating - Warm them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds until they are warm and soft.

Why Didn't My Cupcakes Rise?

Here are some reasons that may be causing flat cupcakes:

1. Expired Leavening Agents: Old baking powder can lose its effectiveness, leading to flat cupcakes.
2. Overmixing the Batter: This can deflate the batter, causing it not to rise properly in the oven.
3. Incorrect Oven Temperature: Too low or too high an oven temperature can affect how the cupcakes rise.
4. Opening the Oven Too Early: This lets heat escape and can cause cupcakes to collapse.
5. Altitude: Are you above 3000 feet? I've made these at both sea level in Miami and the mountains of Colorado, and the altitude affects the rise.

High-Altitude Instructions
If you live at high altitudes and aim for domed cupcakes, crank your oven up to 425°F (220°C) and bake for slightly less time. You will also need to decrease the baking powder to 1 teaspoon. Without this heat boost and reduced baking powder, your cupcakes will bake up flat-topped but still taste great! Watch them so they don't burn.

More Frequently Asked Questions

More Vegan Dessert Recipes

What did you think?

Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate these vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

Recipe

Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

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• Author: Regi Pearce
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Brighten your day with these vegan lemon poppy seed cupcakes! They're the perfect treat: zesty, fluffy, and delightfully dotted with poppy seeds. Indulge in the tangy sweetness—no dairy, no eggs, just pure plant-based pleasure!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup butter - softened
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar - 285 grams
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon - juice 3 medium lemons or 2 large lemons
• zest of 3 lemons
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, sifted 380 grams
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups soy milk

Optional Lemon Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (°175C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix: Mix the softened butter with a hand mixer on medium speed. Then add the sugar and mix again until combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the side of the bowl once or twice while mixing.
3. Combine: Add the lemon juice, vanilla extract, and the zest. Mix with a large spoon until combined well.
4. Sift Flour: Sift the flour into the butter and sugar mixture. Then, add the baking powder, poppy seeds, and salt.
5. Mix Gently: Begin mixing with a spatula, folding the flour gently into the mixture. While mixing, add the milk. Do not overmix, or it will make the cupcake dense.
6. Fill the Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
7. Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Glaze: (Optional) If using, combine the glaze ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cupcakes. Top with more poppy seeds and some more lemon zest for a pretty presentation.

Equipment

12 Cup Muffin Tin

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Microplane Zester

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Notes

For domed cupcakes at high altitudes, heat your oven to 425°F (220°C), use only 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and reduce baking time by a few minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn.

For best texture, measure ingredients precisely, especially flour and leavening agents. To measure flour correctly, spoon it into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife without packing it down to avoid adding too much.

Nutritional information is only an estimate. It does not include the glaze.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: dessert
• Method: oven
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cupcake
• Calories: 283
• Sugar: 21.7 g
• Sodium: 213.5 mg
• Fat: 8.7 g
• Carbohydrates: 47.5 g
• Protein: 4.3 g
• Cholesterol: 20.3 mg

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