Easy to put together in minutes, this soft lemon poppy seed cake is made with nutty almond flour and farmers or ricotta cheese.
Check out this lemon poppy seed beauty – doesn’t it look like there’s been some effort put into making it? To be honest, it took me less than 15 minutes to put this together. 
Along with raspberries, lemon is my favorite flavoring to use in baking – along with farmers cheese (which can be replaced by ricotta cheese) – and poppy seeds just seem to go hand in hand. This can be made with any flour, including gluten free flours, and I think almond flour seems perfect with lemons and poppy seeds. This cake comes out moist, flavorful and easy to slice (even before it completely cools down).
As a tip, make sure your ingredients, particularly the eggs and cheese, are at room temperature before you start mixing. This gives you a smoother batter and a more evenly baked cake. Also remember, the simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors to shine, so using the best quality lemons and a good olive oil for an extra touch of luxury makes all the difference.
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Almond Flour
Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
Prepare the Pan
2. Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides to prevent sticking.
Mix Wet Ingredients
3. In a blender or food processor, blend the butter, sugar, eggs, farmer’s cheese or ricotta, vanilla extract, and the juice and zest of one lemon until smooth.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
4. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Fold in the almond flour, poppy seeds, and baking powder until the batter is evenly mixed.
Bake the Cake
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling
7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Notes
- Ensure all ingredients, especially the eggs and farmer’s cheese or ricotta, are at room temperature to achieve a smoother batter.
- If using a bundt pan, increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes and ensure the pan is well-greased.
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Almond Flour
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
Description
Easy to put together in minutes, this soft lemon poppy seed cake is made with nutty almond flour and farmers or ricotta cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) farmer's cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) almond flour
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
Prepare the Pan
2. Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides to prevent sticking.
Mix Wet Ingredients
3. In a blender or food processor, blend the butter, sugar, eggs, farmer’s cheese or ricotta, vanilla extract, and the juice and zest of one lemon until smooth.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
4. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Fold in the almond flour, poppy seeds, and baking powder until the batter is evenly mixed.
Bake the Cake
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling
7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients, especially the eggs and farmer’s cheese or ricotta, are at room temperature to achieve a smoother batter.
- If using a bundt pan, increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes and ensure the pan is well-greased.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Baking, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of cheese instead of farmer’s cheese or ricotta?
While farmer’s cheese and ricotta are recommended for their moisture and texture, you could try cream cheese for a similar effect, though it may alter the flavor slightly.
What is the purpose of using room temperature ingredients like eggs and cheese?
Using room temperature ingredients helps create a smoother batter, allowing for better emulsification and an evenly baked cake.
Is it necessary to use almond flour, or can I substitute it with regular flour?
You can substitute almond flour with any flour, including gluten-free options, but keep in mind that almond flour contributes to the moistness and nutty flavor of the cake.
I am so down with this cake, it is spectacularly good!
Made these today, and they were really delicious. thanks for a great recipe!