Lemon Poppyseed muffins and working on my photography.

I adore lemony things!  The color lemon yellow, lemon candles, lemony smelling cleaning products, but I ESPECIALLY love lemony tasting things, lemon loaf, lemony tea, and....lemon poppyseed muffins with lemony glaze!!

Yep today, I made Lemon poppyseed muffins with a delicious sweet, tangy glaze.  You all know of my dislike of hard, dry muffins, so when I found this recipe from Joy the Baker I was overJOYed to find another winner for the ol muffin repitoire.  I tweaked the recipe a bit to make it easier and more me!

Here is what you need:

2/3 cup granulated sugar
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk or sour cream
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup melted butter or margerine
2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping the batter before baking)


For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar whisked together with 2 or 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice


Let's get started:

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees F.

 In a large bowl, rub the granulated sugar with the lemon zest until the sugar is lightly colored and scented with lemon. 

This smells so amazing!!!!

Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

 

In a medium sized bowl whisk together the eggs, buttermilk (or sour cream) vanilla, melted butter and lemon juice.   

Combine wet and dry ingredients.  Do not overmix.

Add poppyseeds and combine until they are evenly distributed in the batter.

Scoop batter evenly into muffin tins.  Then sprinkle the tops with sugar. (this adds a delightful sweet crunch!)

Yahoo!

 Now bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the tops are golden and a skewer inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. 

Let cool in muffin pan for 5 minutes before removing and then let completely cool.  I know its hard to wait.....  But it will be worth it!!

Dallop some yummy lemony glaze on top and then lick your lips and ENJOY!!!

Now here's my question for you!  I have been practicing my food photography skills on this recipe and I would love some feedback.  Which photo do you like best of the finished muffin?

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Thanks for your input!!!!