Poppy Seed Cake With lemon Curd Filling

I made this cake with my friend and we both stuffing our faces as soon as we were done making it. I love all things lemon and I have never made anything with poppyseed. This recipe is from  anniesnoms.com. Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE:

• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup milk

INGREDIENTS FOR LEMON CURD:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

DIRECTIONS FOR CAKE:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 8 in. Pans or use my homemade cake release recipe. 
2. Place butter and sugar into a large bowl. beat until light and fluffy. 
3. Add in eggs and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
4. Now add in the poppy seeds, baking powder, flour, and salt. Once incorporated, pour in milk. Give a quick mix. Batter will be pretty thick. 
5. Divide evenly into pans. Bake for 27-32 min. or until toothpick inserted, comes out clean. If you want a level cake use Diy cake strips (THEY REALLY WORK)let cool completely and move onto the lemon curd.

DIRECTIONS FOR LEMON CURD FILLING:

1. In a small bowl, Beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Add in the egg and beat for a minute. 
2. Mix in the lemon juice and zest. It will look kind of curdled but don’t worry it will become smooth as it cooks.
3. Pour mixture into a 1-quart saucepan and cook over medium heat.
4. Whisk frequently, until curd is thick and smooth. Curdled appearance should disappear. Do not let curd boil.
5. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

DIRECTIONS FOR ASSEMBELY:

1. Make my go-to buttercream recipe and fill 3 pipping bags fitted with number 12, 2D, and 21 tips.
2. Pour lemon curd on 1 layer and smooth with an offset spatula. Place the next cake layer on top. Spread and smooth white buttercream around the outside of the cake. 
3. Make a crescent shape  on the top of the cake with butter knife. Don’t go to deep you are just making an outline. Now pipe, filling in that crescent shape on top. Play with the different textures and tips. 
4. You can sprinkle some extra poppy seeds on top too. I wanted to make it shiny so I used pearl luster dust. Make it your own. Enjoy!

Thanks for baking with me!

~ Natalie