Looking for a last minute dessert that will be a showstopper? Incredibly moist and tender this tried and true Poppy Seed Cake with orange almond and vanilla glaze is the perfect addition to your brunch or dessert menu! Did I mention- it is a one bowl cake? Easy and delicious. Win! Win!

This cake looks and tastes fancy with minimal effort. The rich and moist cake is drowned in a sweet orange almond and vanilla glaze to create the most delightful flavor combination. This is a tried and true Davis family recipe. I know you will love to serve it for weekend gatherings and special occasions.

My mother-in-law, Sharon, introduced me to this poppy seed cake almost 17 years ago and it is one I love to make and share when we have guests. Everyone LOVES this cake. It is easy enough that I can make it on a weekday for a sweet treat that the entire family enjoys, or save for a special occasion. It is a great excuse to gather in the kitchen and chat while enjoying a delicious slice of cake.

Simple Ingredients

Cake

• Oil (such as avocado or canola)
• Sugar
• Flour
• Poppyseeds
• Vanilla Extract
• Almond Extract
• Milk
• Baking Powder
• Salt

Glaze

• Orange Juice
• Orange Zest
• Butter
• Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Almond Extract

Honestly, on a lazy day I make this cake without the glaze and just dust with powdered sugar. It is delicious both ways!

Why Add Poppy Seeds to a Cake?

Blue poppy seeds are produced throughout Europe and possess a distinct almond flavor as opposed to the mellower taste of white and brown poppy seeds. Poppy seeds for baking must be toasted or baked before for their flavor to be at their peak. You will love the taste of poppy seeds in this cake!

Poppy seeds perform several functions in baked goods such as:

Flavor: provide a rich nutty flavor, may be intensified by toasting.

Aroma: provide a mild nutty aroma.

Texture: contributes a crunchy texture.

I absolutely love the addition of poppy seeds in baked goods and breads. After trying this cake I know you will too!

Almond and Vanilla Flavoring in Poppy Seed Cake

The vanilla and almond flavoring really set this cake apart from any other poppy seed cake I’ve ever tried. The flavors make the aromatic scent of the poppy seeds POP! All the flavors work so well to create a delicate flavor in this delicious poppy seed cake.

Storing and Freezing Instructions Poppy Seed Cake

Store the cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. To freeze, allow the cake to cool completely, then covered tightly and freeze for up to 3 months (do not freeze with glaze). Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. Make glaze and top with glaze just before serving.

Sharon’s Poppy Seed Cake Story

My husband vividly remembers eating this poppy seed cake every year at their family ranch in the sawtooth mountains. His mom, Sharon, would make it the day before and pack it in a plastic cake carrier to enjoy while they spent the weekend with family fishing, BBQing, and swimming. He was always amazed that the cake made it in one piece after the long and bumpy ride to their secluded and magical 100 acre ranch. The sweet almond poppy seed cake infused with orange glaze tasted even better when he ate it in the crisp mountain air. Isn’t it funny how one cake can create a memory for a lifetime? We hope this cake becomes a treasured family recipe in your home too.

Made with Amore, Elena.

From My Cucina to Your Table. Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)

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