Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This is where the magic begins! While the oven warms up, prepare your Bundt cake pan by greasing it well. This ensures that your lovely cake comes out intact once it's baked.
If you prefer a more pronounced poppy seed flavor, feel free to grind the poppy seeds in a coffee grinder. If you enjoy the texture, leave them whole!
In a small saucepan, combine the poppy seeds, milk, and honey. Stir until well combined and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Keep stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Once it reaches a boil, let it bubble for 1 minute, then remove from heat and let it cool until lukewarm. This step infuses the milk with all the delicious flavors!
In a mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm poppy seed mixture with butter, oil, and sugar. Beat on high until everything is well mixed and creamy. You want to ensure the sugar is fully dissolved for a smooth batter.
Add the egg yolks to the mixture and beat again until well incorporated. Then, introduce the lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Beat until everything is blended perfectly.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, beating just until combined. You’ll want to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure no flour remains.
In another clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This step is crucial for a fluffy cake texture!
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. Use a spatula to combine, being careful not to deflate those lovely air bubbles you’ve created.
Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, making sure not to fill it more than three-quarters full. This is key to preventing overflow while baking. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure it’s even.
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Keep an eye on it—when the edges are golden and pulling away from the sides, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, your cake is done!
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a plate. If it sticks, run a plastic knife around the edges to release it. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
Now for the fun part—topping! You can simply dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar to keep things elegant, or go for a luscious lemon icing by mixing powdered sugar and lemon juice. Another option is a warm lemon glaze, which is decadent! Experiment with what you like best.
