Elaine: Well, this you’re not gonna believe. I found out why I was testing positive for opium. Poppy seeds!
Jerry: Poppy seeds!
Seinfeld – season 7, episode 16; Episode no. 126; Broadcast date: 15 February 1996
There are few television sitcoms from within the last two decades that run vividly through my mind than those of the narcissistic and sometimes creepy characters from Seinfeld. I mean to describe the show affectionately, as the characters are classic and there are multitudes of episodes that food played a central theme. Whenever I hear the word “poppy seeds” or am about to eat something that has poppy seeds, my mind races back to the hilarious episode when Elaine is drug tested and her results come back positive for opium because she ate poppy seed muffins for breakfast!
Within the last two weeks, I’ve tried two different Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. One recipe used a tasty lemon glaze to drizzle on top of the muffins, and the other used raw sugar sprinkled on top for delightful texture. I liked the use of the lemon-flavored icing, but adored the raw sugar texture on the outside of the muffins too (it should really be one or the other). Also, I added a small dollop of lemon curd to the middle of one of the batches and that little squirt of curd took it over the top!
This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite and trusty cookbooks. It has great flavor and moist. Most importantly, I enjoyed the tasting outcome more than the other recipe source.
- Both the lemon curd and lemon glaze is optional. If you use lemon curd for the middle of the muffins, the glaze isn’t necessary.
- Serving a dollop of lemon curd on the side with the muffins would be a complimentary presentation and treat.
Makes 10 Muffins
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
Grated lemon zest from 2 lemons
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk, low-fat
2 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons coarse raw sugar for muffin tops
Lemon curd, for filling (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray standard muffin pan with non-stick spray.
In an electric mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition until blended.
In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds, lemon zest, and salt. Using the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in two increments, alternating with the buttermilk, then the lemon juice and vanilla. Beat just until smooth.
In a large bowl using either a balloon whisk or hand-held mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter until blended.
Spoon about 1 generous tablespoon of batter into 10 muffin cup wells. Place a teaspoon, or so, of lemon curd on top of the batter, centered so it doesn’t touch the sides. Use the remaining batter to cover and envelope the curd and distribute evenly among the 10 muffin cups. Each muffin cup should be about 3/4 full. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with raw sugar.
Bake until golden, and springy to the touch, about 20 minutes. A toothpick insert slightly offside (not into the curd) should come out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for about 5 minutes before un-molding each muffin.
Serve at room temperature. If you didn’t add lemon curd to the middle of each muffin, serving with lemon curd on the side would be a complimentary pairing and presentation.
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Place sugar in a bowl and add 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix with a spoon until well juice is incorporated, breaking up any lumps. Add additional lemon juice until desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled muffin tops.
As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Pyrex measuring cups and spoons.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my! How did I miss these?! Lemon muffins, lemon curd, lemon glaze? I’m a lemon addicted these are such a great treat! I can’t share the love for Seinfeld but I sure will share the love for these guys!
These are beautiful and I am glad that you combined the two things you liked about 2 different recipes. I think you came up with a perfect lemon poppy seed muffin!
OH my goodness I LOVE lemon poppy seed muffins and yours look beyond incredible!! I’m drooling, seriously. :) Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to try out your receipe and eat the whole batch!!
This is a recipe I know I would just love! Citrus flavors are my weakness and adding lemon curd to these muffins takes them over the top! Incredible!
ROFL I remember that epidose – all I can say is thank goodness for cable tv ;D
These look incredibly moist – I would bake them with both the filling and the glaze. Yeah!!
Glorious! These look and sound wonderful…love lemon curd, even use it for salad dressings :) Gorgeous photos too…
I love Seinfeld! And you’re totally right.. there are so many foods that immediately make me think of certain episodes.. lately I’ve been doing the same thing with How I Met Your Mother. These muffins looks like they belong on my kitchen table this weekend.
So now I found out why I love poppy seeds so much! I haven’t seen this particular Seinfeld episode, but reading your post was enough to make me giggle… Your recipe is perfect! Lemon and poppy seeds – a classic. No doubt your muffins disappeared the minute they came out of the oven!
I love to try different muffins all the time, but at the end of the day, lemon-poppyseed is my fave and I just can’t help it. Ironically, I’ve never baked them before, but this recipe gives me a good excuse to try! Thanks for sharing these, Cristina! Now, see if you can’t send one of those my way…. ;)
These look divine! Super moist and I love the combination of lemon and poppy seeds!
these look delicious lovely addition of poppy seeds
Lemon poppy seed muffins are one of my favorite muffins. I love the combination of the two and make a quick bread with it. Your muffin with the glaze over it looks so inviting.
These look truely heavenly! Yes, and your pics belong in any of the top recipe books! I can’t wait to try them, they look fantastic! Thanks SO much for sharing!
Love Seinfeld. Great quote.
These muffins are so delectable!
Love lemon…. and poppy seeds, and the Seinfeld references :) Lemon curd centers sound luscious!
These are the most beautiful pictures! Really, magazine cover quality.
Lemon poppy seed muffins are one of my favorites – I don’t eat them nearly enough AND I’ve never made them before. These look amazing!
Beautiful photographs! These muffins just look and sound perfect, lemon glaze and poppy seeds= doesn’t get better than that:)
I have those same moments when Seifelf scenes pop into my head. Amazing how a show can stick with you, isn’t it? The muffins look fabulous. I love anthing with lemon, so the triple lemon of glaze, muffin and curd is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing the results of your testing.
You are the queen of muffins! Great recipe, I copy and paste it!
These look perfect. I love lemon curd, but I don’t think I have ever added them to a muffin. The added poppy seeds look so cute and I bet they taste great too! Wish I had some of these for breakfast this morning!
I love how your muffins look….big and moist and speckled with poppy seeds. Love that lemon curd inside. Hope to make these. Thanks very much for sharing. I may avoid poppy seeds …… to avoid being tested positive for opium…haha
Lovely muffins!! Looks so good!
I totally remember that episode and I always think of it, too! I adore lemon poppyseed and love your “pop” in them!
Your muffin looks beautiful and delicious! Nice shots!
These look divine – I love any muffins that include poppy seeds. I’ve just made a few batches of lemon curd and I’ve now got another way to use it. Thanks.
Mmm.. these muffins have all my favourite ingredients…yums!
Lol! I totally remember the Seinfeld episode with the poppy seeds. Best show ever! Wonderful looking muffins, I might add ;) I love poppy seeds.
Your muffins look beautiful. I agree that the first shot looks like it should be on the cover of Bon Appetit! You did an amazing job with them…and I’m all about the Seinfeld references…I love that show (and all of the crazy characters). Thanks for sharing…I have some poppy seeds that need to get used soon!
OH.MY.GOODNESS. That picture, so simple, but looks like it absolutely belongs on the cover of a magazine. Just gorgeous!
I am going to try my hardest to make these gluten free. I will have a very happy husband and mother-in-law if I am successful. They are both addicted to lemon poppyseed cake and muffins!