Bakery Style Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 C all-purpose flour
• 1 C sugar
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 C plain whole milk yogurt or low-fat yogurt
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, optional
• 1 1/2 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 2 large eggs
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/4 C sugar (for the glaze)
• 1/4 C lemon juice (for the glaze)
• coarse sugar for sprinkling, optional

Method

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk yogurt, lemon zest, and eggs until smooth. Gently fold yogurt mixture into flour mixture until just combined. Fold in melted butter. Do not overmix. If you overmix, the muffins will be dense.
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. (I like to use this ice cream scoop to make it easy) Bake until golden brown and toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate muffin tin halfway through baking.
5. While muffin are baking, simmer sugar and lemon juice together in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns into a light syrup, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Remove muffin tin to a wire rack. Brush with lemon syrup. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool for another 10 minutes before serving.