Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

My boyfriend Z has been begging me to indulge his cravings for a good lemon poppyseed muffin.  The only problem is between work, coursework, and life I get a bit bogged down.  We had some free time finally this evening and instead of picking up the boxed mix (which is usually my first pick due to time constraints) decided to poke around for a good recipe.  Z really enjoyed them and I hope you will too!

 Ingredients:
2 C flour
1 1/2 TB poppy seeds
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 C sugar
2 large eggs
1/8-1/4 C lemon juice (depending on how much lemon you like! taste as you go to adjust)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 C plain or vanilla yogurt

Preheat your oven to 350 F and line your muffin pan with paper liners.

In a medium bowl stir together the flour, poppy seeds, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed--it should be fairly fluffy and creamed (~2 minutes).  Beat the eggs in one at a time, blending well.  Once the mixture is blended mix in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.  Turn your mixer down to low speed and in alternating layers mix in half of the dry mix, the yogurt, then the second half of the dry mix.  Make sure to remember to leave it on low speed or else you'll end up with more of the mix in your hair than in the bowl! Mix together until incorporated, try not to overmix!

Divide the batter into the paper liners in your pan, filling each about 2/3 full.

Bake for about 16-20 minutes (depending on your oven) or until they are browned.  You can check by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the muffin, and if it comes out clean you're good to go!  If it comes out with some dough, put back in the oven an additional 2-3 minutes.  Let them cool in the pan 5 minutes before moving them to a wire cooling rack or plate!  Then you're good to go, enjoy!

For a little extra kick of flavor you can add a simple glaze to the tops of the muffins while they are cooling on the racks.  Mix together 1/2 C powdered sugar and 1 TB lemon juice and drizzle over the tops.  Let the glaze set before taking bites out of those delicious muffins!

Adapted from: Muffins