Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is a bright, tender dessert or tea cake that combines zesty lemon flavor with the subtle crunch of poppy seeds. It typically features flour, sugar, butter or oil, eggs, lemon zest and juice, and poppy seeds, often finished with a tangy lemon glaze. While variations exist worldwide, this style of cake is particularly popular in European and American home baking.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This cake is generally high in carbohydrates and fat, with moderate protein from eggs and flour. A typical slice provides key nutrients like vitamin C from lemon, calcium from poppy seeds, and energy from sugars and fats, with a rough calorie range of 250-400 per serving depending on recipe and portion size.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	380 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbs	50 g
Fat	18 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	28 g
Sodium	320 mg
Potassium	110 mg
Calcium	45 mg
Iron	1.8 mg
Magnesium	20 mg
Phosphorus	85 mg
Vitamin A	150 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg
Folate	30 mcg

Per 1 slice (100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, poppy seeds have been used in baking for centuries across Central and Eastern Europe, symbolizing abundance and good luck in some traditions. Nutritionally, poppy seeds are a unique addition, offering minerals like iron and magnesium while contributing a distinctive texture without overwhelming the cake's delicate citrus profile.