Homemade almond poppy seed muffins

Homemade almond poppy seed muffins are a delightful treat for breakfast or a snack. Here's a simple recipe to make them at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• Sliced almonds for topping (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners or grease the muffin cups.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you're using lemon zest for extra flavor, add it to the dry mixture.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, yogurt, milk, and almond extract until well combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

• Fold in the poppy seeds, incorporating them evenly into the batter.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups

• Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.

Step 6: Add Almond Topping (Optional)

• If desired, sprinkle sliced almonds on top of each muffin for a delightful almond crunch.

Step 7: Bake

• Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.

Step 8: Cool

• Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Enjoy

Once the muffins have cooled, they are ready to enjoy! These almond poppy seed muffins are best when served fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for a few days.

These homemade almond poppy seed muffins are a delightful combination of nutty flavor and a hint of citrus from the lemon zest, making them a perfect addition to your breakfast or snack lineup.