Lemon Poppyseed Almond Muffins with Streusel Topping
Breads and Muffins | Published Dec 17, 2018 | Updated Jul 31, 2020 | By Tawnie
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Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes in loaf pan, then invert loaf onto a wire rack.
Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes in loaf pan, then invert loaf onto a wire rack.
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Why? Well. I want to start portraying recipes on my blog that reflect foods I actually eat.
In the baking department, muffins and cookies are my favorites! Oh, and scones. I might need to start Scone Sunday’s but I won’t get too ahead of myself.

As far as other realistic foods I eat, I will be posting more dinner recipes in 2019.
I did an audit of my blog and it doesn’t reflect a lot of foods I eat in “real life” so I want my blog to be a great reference for go to, healthy meals. Not just appetizers and sides!
In the meantime, let’s talk muffins. I was inspired to make these muffins from my Lemon Poppyseed Scones recipe. I adore the lemon poppyseed combo and wanted to start out Muffin Monday’s with these delicious bites of heaven.
Tips for making Lemon Poppyseed Almond Muffins:
- Use fresh lemon! It adds a delicious flavor profile and plus you need a little bit of zest too!
- I love the additional flavor lemon extract gives so I highly recommend. But, if you only have vanilla on hand that works too. I’d also recommend almond extract.
- Don’t over mix the batter or over bake! Check muffins at 13 minutes.
- The muffins in my oven at 400° F took exactly 14 minutes but I would insert a toothpick and check the color of the tops of the muffins at 13 minutes to play it safe. Nothing is worse than a dense, dry muffin!
- If you don’t want to use butter, you may substitute it with oil (just note it will be a much more soft muffin).
- If you don’t have milk, you can substitute milk with Greek yogurt or buttermilk at room temperature)
- Preheat the oven to 380°F but then right when you put the muffins in to bake, turn it up to 400°F to ensure your muffins have a dome top.
What kitchen tools are needed for this recipe?
- Sometimes I love when all I need is my stand mixer for recipes, but then I hate having to clean it up afterwards. For this recipe, no stand or hand mixer is required. You will need…
- 2 bowls
- A whisk
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Muffins/cupcake tin with cupcake liners
- Zester
- Oven!
This recipe makes 12 small cupcake sized muffins so they are great for a party or brunch! Or you can make them in a larger muffin tin, just be aware they may take longer to bake!

In wedding news: We picked our venue and date!!! I am keeping it somewhat a secret until I send my save the dates out by I am so excited to have a venue finally! I also went wedding dress shopping yesterday. I did not say YES to the dress yet but I found a few that I love!! So so excited!
I hope you all love this recipe!
the goods
More muffin recipes you will love:


Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Streusel Topping
Equipment
- 12 cup cupcake tin
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp. poppyseeds
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. cardamom
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 8 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)
- 2 tsp. lemon extract*
Streusel topping
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 380°F. Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners or spray with non stick baking spray.
- Make the streusel topping first: combine the flour, brown sugar, almonds (optional) and lemon zest in a medium sized bowl. Add the pieces of cold butter into the bowl and use a pastry blender or fork to cut the butter into the mixture until it is the texture of coarse meal. You do not want it to become a cohesive dough. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, poppyseeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, lemon zest and cardamom together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, butter, eggs, lemon juice and lemon extract together until smooth. Gently fold in this mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. It will be very light and fluffy & it's OK if it's not all mixed.
- Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop batter into each cupcake tin. Then top each muffin with about ~1 Tbsp. streusel topping. Place in oven and immediately turn the oven to 400°F (this helps ensure a dome on your muffins instead of flat muffin tops!) Bake for 13-15 minutes or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition

If you want to turn this lemon poppyseed muffin recipe into lemon poppyseed bread…you totally can!

Follow the same exact recipe…but place the batter in an 8 x 4 inch baking dish (loaf pan) that is prepped with cooking spray.
Tent loaf with foil (don’t let foil touch loaf), and bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (or with a few small crumbs)!
Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes in loaf pan, then invert loaf onto a wire rack.

Hi, I’m Tawnie!
Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.
More about Tawnie
My mouth is watering just looking at these! Lemon is my favorite!!
Thank you so much! They were a hit in my house and with my family!!
These looks so so delicious! I love that you want to focus on recipes you actually eat. I feel the same way sometimes about the recipes I post! Looking forward to following your blog in 2019!
Thank you so much Rachel!! Means a lot to me.
Perfect muffin recipe!
Thank you Amy!
These look so delicious! And I love the concept of Muffin Mondays – maybe I should join in and we’ll make it the new Taco Tuesday 😉
I’d love that!!! hehehe
Love the idea of Muffin Mondays. I love muffins too – sweet, savory and everything in between. The title of these says it all deliciously!
Thank you so much Pam!
Muffin Monday is a great idea…I love a lemon poppyseed muffin and bonus that you added almonds. These look delicious.
Thank you SO much Ali!
Oh, these muffins look so delicious! A great start to muffins Monday! Lemon is my favorite in baked goods!
Thank you so much Beth!
Oh that streusel topping, I could eat that with a spoon!
Haha it’s divine! Thank you Lisa!!
I’ve under utilized poppyseed, but definitely want to give it a try in upcoming recipes because this muffin looks so good! I’m loving that streusel topping!
Thank you so much Shanika!! Poppyseeds are so fun!
These sound over the top delish! Definitely pinning. AND I love a scone, when you get settled with Muffin Monday I will look forward to Scone Sunday!
Scone Sunday and Muffin Monday’s sounds like a task and a half but I will try! haha! I hope you love this recipe!!