Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking a cake, allowing it to rise evenly and develop a lovely golden crust.
Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by spraying it with baking spray that includes flour. This ensures that your cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly.
Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper as an extra precaution. This step helps in easy cake removal later, ensuring a beautiful presentation.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and Meyer lemon zest. You want to whisk until the sugar is fragrant, as this will infuse the sugar with the lemony aroma.
Next, incorporate Meyer lemon olive oil, whole milk, eggs, fresh Meyer lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the mixture. Whisk together until it’s smooth and well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, kosher salt, and baking soda. Mixing these dry ingredients beforehand ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine!
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get every last bit of that delicious batter.
Top the batter evenly with a sprinkle of sparkling sugar. This will create a nice crunch on top of the cake as it bakes.
Now, pop the cake in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the cake reaches an internal temperature of 205°F (96°C).
Once done, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This short cooling period helps it set and makes it easier to remove from the pan.
After cooling, carefully remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This step ensures the bottom doesn’t become soggy and retains its lovely texture.
Just before serving, garnish with Candied Meyer Lemon Slices, if desired. This not only adds a beautiful touch but also enhances the citrus flavor.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Enjoy your baking!
