Almond Poppy Seed Cake
The Almond Poppy Seed Cake, known for its soft, light, and fluffy texture that stays moist for days, has been a classic recipe loved by many for years. The prominent flavor of almond extract and the crunch of poppy seeds make this cake irresistible. Whether you are a fan of dense, buttery cakes or fluffy cakes, this versatile recipe is worth trying. You can easily customize it to your liking by adding finely chopped almonds to the cake batter or spreading some sweet almond pastry filling between the layers.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour weighed in grams or spooned and leveled
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ tablespoons poppy seeds
- ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ⅓ cup whole milk room temperature
- ¼ cup sliced almonds optional, for topping
Instructions
- To prepare, preheat the oven to 350°F and then grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds in a medium bowl for a seamless blend.
- Begin by creaming the butter and sugar in a large bowl until they achieve a light and fluffy consistency, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Next, thoroughly incorporate the eggs, sour cream, and almond extract.
- Create a harmonious blend by alternating between adding dry ingredients and milk into the wet mixture. Remember to fold and scrape the sides of the bowl until the dry streaks are no longer visible.
- Smoothly spread the batter in the pan and generously sprinkle it with sliced almonds.
- Place it on the middle rack and bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick emerges clean. Afterward, allow it to cool in the pan for 10-20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack for further cooling.
- To prepare the glaze, simply blend powdered sugar, almond extract, poppy seeds, and milk until smooth. Then, drizzle this delightful mixture over the cooled cake, slice, and relish every bite!