Lemon Poppy Seed Cakes

There’s no gift as sweet as a home made treat. This delicious recipe from Vegan Food Gifts sure to please vegans and omnivores alike.

Moist and delicious, these cakes have just enough sweetness and the right amount of tang. Be sure to keep at least one for yourself!

For Cakes:
2 (6-ounce, or 170 g each) containers lemon soy yogurt (plain or vanilla will work, too)
1 cup (235 ml) plain or vanilla soy or coconut milk
1 cup (235 ml) canola oil
2 cups (400 g) evaporated cane juice or granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1?2 cup (120 g) vegan sour cream
2 tablespoons (18 g) poppy seeds
5 cups (625 g) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (24 g) cornstarch
1 tablespoon (12 g) baking powder
1 tablespoon (12 g) baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

For Glaze (optional):
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice

To make the cakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Coat 5 mini loaf tins (5 x 3 1?2 x 2 inches [12.5 x 8.3 x 5 cm]), or 2 standard loaf tins (9 x 5 x 3 inches [23 x 12.5 x 7.5 cm]) with nonstick cooking spray, or use Fold-Your-Own Loaf Pans (page 20).

In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, milk, oil, evaporated cane juice, vanilla and lemon extracts, lemon zest and juice, sour cream, and poppy seeds.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick, not runny.

Fill the loaf tins two-thirds full.

Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before turning out the loaves. If you are using mini loaf tins, bake for 45–60 minutes.

To make the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth, and then drizzle over the cakes.

YIELD: 5 mini or 2 standard loaves

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Impress your family, friends, neighbors, guests—anyone!—with homemade gifts that you can feel good about and others will love. From mouthwatering vegan baking mixes you can create, package, and label yourself, to DIY gift baskets, preserves, liquors, and more, you’ll find that perfect something for everyone, no matter what their views or inclinations. (No one can say no to a chocolate chip cookie after all—vegan or otherwise!)

Vegan Food Gifts shows you how easy it is to create great homemade gifts that are not only kind and eco-conscious, but delicious too. So whether you are an expert chef or a beginner cook, a crafty genius or someone without an artistic bone in your body, you’ll find projects that not only suit your skills, but your budget too.