Start your morning with a breath of fresh air in the form of a meyer lemon poppy seed pull-apart muffin!
meyer lemon poppy seed pull apart muffins

Apparently NYC is going to be inundated with at least 20 feet of snow tomorrow, and while I could be freaking out, curled up in a corner in fetal position (let’s be honest – winter just ain’t my thang), I’m totally having a zen moment.

I’ve got Netflix, enough coffee to last me the better part of a lifetime, and a bag of meyer lemons to my name.

Simply put – I’m good.

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To be fair, it’s mostly to do with the lemons.

They’re like a breath of fresh, warm air on an otherwise frigid and drippy day.

I use drippy in the literal sense because in New York, that’s what happens after it snows. It drips.

It drips from building awnings.

It drips from slush puddles that don’t appear to be slush puddles until you’re knee deep, cold, and wet

It drips from taxis that drive too fast through the aforementioned slush puddles so that they end up less on the ground where they belong and more on you.

Honestly, the dripping is worse than the snow itself.

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But it’s fine.

Because we have lemons.

Everything is going to be okay.

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If you’ve never encountered a Meyer lemon before, then I beg you to get thee to a supermarket!

IMMEDIATELY, because their season is short and sweet, and if you blink you’ll miss it.

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Meyers are pretty much the result of what would happen if a lemon and an orange procreated. They’re a little sour, a little sweet, and oh so perfect for baking with, especially because their skin is thinner and less bitter than a regular lemon’s.

This means you can sprinkle it in places you wouldn’t have otherwise dared – into a big bowl of sugar, for instance, that you then stuff between layers of rich, buttery sweet brioche dough to form a breakfast pastry so lovely that you’ll find yourself eating it for all meals of the day, not just during the AM hours.

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Enter pull-apart bread, which is kind of a riff on monkey bread except that the layers are sheets instead of balls of dough. This version ditches the cinnamon sugar and turns instead to citrus as it’s major flavor profile, which is just perfect for brightening up your day. I got the original recipe from Seasons and Suppers, but made a few changes along the way, namely swapping out vanilla for almond extract, mixing a bit of grapefruit zest into the sugar along with the Meyer lemon (because I could) and adding some poppy seeds to the glaze as a throwback to my lemon poppy seed muffin obsession of yore.

They’re a breath of fresh breakfast air. And then some.

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Speaking of buns in the oven, my friend Caroline of Chocolate & Carrots is having a baby!! She’s due in just a few days (literally) with her second kiddo and a few of her blogging friends and I are hosting a virtual baby shower to celebrate!! She is such a sweetheart and her new baby is so lucky to be born into such a warm and loving family!

Caroline has been craving citrus nonstop during her pregnancy (who can blame her), so we’ve all made her treats that showcase the myriad citrus jewels of winter. Congratulations, girl! We are so excited for you!!

caroline's baby shower

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Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins
 
Start your morning with a breath of fresh air in the form of a meyer lemon poppy seed pull-apart muffin!
Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients
For the dough
  • 2¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2¼ tsp instant yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1½ tsp almond extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
For the citrus sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • zest of 2 meyer lemons
  • zest of 1 grapefruit
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the glaze
  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp meyer lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the milk and butter until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the water. Allow to cool for 1 minute, and then stir in the almond extract. Pour over the flour mixture and mix until all of the ingredients are moistened. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until just incorporated. Add ½ cup flour and mix on low until the dough is smooth.
  3. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 5 minutes. If the dough sticks to the sides of the stand mixer bowl instead of forming a ball on the hook, then add flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it no longer does this.
  4. Place the dough in a large, greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
  5. While the dough is rising, mix together the sugar, meyer lemon zest, and grapefruit zest. Set aside.
  6. Once the dough has risen, heat oven to 350F. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with baking spray. Set aside.
  7. Gently deflate the dough and then cut it in half, returning one half to the bowl it was just in and covering it with plastic wrap. Cut the half of the dough you're working with into 16 thin pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll each piece into a thin oblong shape on a lightly floured surface. Each should be about 6 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, but it is okay if they vary slightly in shape and size.
  8. Use a pastry brush to spread the melted butter over each piece of dough. Sprinkle with half of the citrus sugar.
  9. To make the rolls, take one piece of dough and set it in front of you with the long side facing you. Top with four more pieces of dough. Cut in half width-wise so that you have two ~ 3-inch stacks. Pinch together the edges that were closest to you so that the dough fans out. This will be the bottom of the roll. Place in one cup of the baking tin, arranging the dough slices as desired. Repeat with the remaining dough. Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with any remaining citrus sugar.
  10. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, 30-60 minutes.
  11. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls until the tops are golden and they sound hollow when tapped, about 18-22 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes.
  12. To make the glaze, whisk together the confectioner's sugar, heavy cream, meyer lemon juice, and poppy seeds, adding more milk or lemon juice to taste. Drizzle over the cooled muffins.
Notes
Adapted slightly from Seasons and Suppers
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 muffin

 More Meyer lemon recipes:

meyer lemon rosemary sticky buns

Meyer Lemon Rosemary Sticky Buns

meyer lemon cupcakes with meyer lemon curd

Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Meyer Lemon Curd

meyer lemon ice cream

Meyer Lemon Ice Cream

From Around the Web:

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies from Keep It Sweet

Meyer Lemon Macadamia Nut Tart from Love & Olive Oil

Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes from Annie’s Eats

Mini Blueberry Meyer Lemon Cream Pies from Krafted Koch

Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee from She Wears Many Hats

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meyer lemon poppy seed pull apart muffins
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80 Responses to Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins

  1. […] Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins from Eats Well With Others […]

  2. Oh my… these look too good for words!! And Congrats Caroline!

  3. bellini says:

    Ooh yes please Joanne. emon is my kriptonite.

  4. It took me a while to realize that these are actually muffins. They’re so, so pretty! I can’t remember ever seeing such fancy / neat looking muffins. Awesome job. 🙂 And 20 feet of snow?! What happens then? Does everything just close down? That’s crazy. Good luck with the snow!

  5. There have been no meyer lemons to be found in my grocery store — it just doesn’t seem fair to rub these delicious looking muffins in my face when I can’t make them yet! These look sooooo crazy good. And good luck with the snow. I’m kind of a little jealous that you’ll have an excuse to barricade yourself at home for a day or two.

  6. These are just beautiful. I’m slightly freaking out over here too. I went to the grocery store last night and it was CRAZY! But I’ve got food and alcohol (and meyer lemons too!) so I think I’m good!

  7. I LEGIT just tried a meyer lemon for the first time last week and it blew my taste buds off my head.
    Now I want it in all the things…ESPECIALLY these amazing muffins! What a fun post! Congrats to Caroline!
    Pinned 🙂

  8. As a huge fan of lemon, I wouldn’t be able to stop eating this! What a great way to celebrate Caroline’s baby!

  9. Sues says:

    These are simply gorgeous!!! Meyer lemons are definitely on my list of favorite things about winter and this is the PERFECT recipe to use them in!

    Good luck in all the snow 🙂

  10. […] Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins from Eats Well With Others […]

  11. These pull apart muffins are s pure dream!! total pastry deliciousness.

  12. Aww I love virtual baby showers! Congrats to Caroline. 🙂 And these muffins? Holy moley all that lemon goodness is definitely speaking to me! I want to just grab all that pull-apart-y goodness!

  13. YES the lemon and poppy seed muffins. I always order one in a cafe, but they always disappoint a little, so making them yourself is the way forward.

  14. I would be SO much happier if I knew I had these to help me survive the storm!

  15. Oh man – these look awesome! Love that poppy seed glaze drizzle!

  16. All the meyer lemony goodness! These are amazing Joanne! I love how you made them pull-apart muffins. That way, you can savor every last bit of citrus glory. Oh, what I wouldn’t do for a bite of these right now. 😀 Thank you so much for the baby shower. Such a wonderfully happy surprise to wake up to on this chilly day (I hope you’re staying warm up there!). I truly have the greatest friends.

  17. I can never get enough meyer lemons. I have to buy them anytime I see them at the market. I love these adorable pull apart muffins. And that poppy seed glaze sounds phenomenal!

  18. Oh wow! These look amazing! Love the idea of a lemon poppy seed muffin. And you know I love everything pull apart.

    Happy Monday girl!

  19. I have a weakness for all things pull-apart. And citrus in dessert is like… yes. Good luck with the inclement weather; I’ll be thinking of you!

  20. […] Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins from Eats Well With Others […]

  21. dawn says:

    OMG!!!! I am sooo making these super bowl sunday morning!!!!!. these will be a hit

  22. Wow these pull apart muffins look amazing! Love the lemon poppy seed combo!

  23. Meg says:

    What a fun baby shower idea! I would have to have a spicy, salty-themed party, haha. 🙂 These muffins look delicious! And the clipper is already shaping up to be a bust here in Maryland . . . hope it doesn’t get as bad for you as predicted!

  24. Um, these are simply amazing!! Love anything with lemon!

  25. OMG these look sooooo good and I LOOOVE meyer lemon!

  26. Wait – first – Pull-Apart Muffins???? Why I never!!! Just the fact that these are pull apart muffins has me stumped and stoked – then you throe in the sugar and lemon between layers and all and am just beside myself “dripping” drool!

  27. Joanne, dude 20 feet of snow?! wow. . it’s snowing right now as I type here in Madison but I don’t think we’re getting nearly that much . . love these meyer lemon poppy seed pull apart muffins!!! poppy seeds and meyer lemons? these are perfection. . stay in and stay warm, yo!

  28. These muffins look fanfreakingtastic!

  29. These look yummy and I love the flavor that Meyer lemons deliver! I am in Westchester and we are planning on hibernating for the next three days! Best of luck with Juno!

  30. Oana says:

    wow, they’re so beautiful. Lemon and poppy seeds is one of my favorite combos and these pull apart muffins are such a great idea for our morning nibbles. Thanks for sharing!

  31. Pull apart muffins?! Genius, I’d love to pull apart a couple of these right now.

  32. Julia says:

    Yeeeeeah, happy baby shower to Caroline, woop woop! I always thought pull-apart bread was the coolest thing ever, but muffins?!!! Your brain is astounding! I love meyer lemons, plus the lemon-poppy-seed combo, so my taste buds are seriously on a roller coaster ride right now. Need these in my facetrap stat!

  33. Deanna says:

    OK – so those are the most insanely yummy looking bakery goods I’ve seen in a long long time. And I just love Meyer lemons during the winter as they are like a beacon of light, with the promise that the summer will indeed shine again and warmer weather will come.

  34. […] Meyer Lemon Pull-Apart Poppy Seed Muffins from Eats Well with Others […]

  35. Pam says:

    Good luck with the storm! The muffins and a cup of coffee would make me very happy right now! They seriously look amazing.

  36. I LOVE MEYER LEMON SEASON. My baking friend made fun of me for my “fancy lemons” one day, until I cut one open and let him try some. That shut him up, lol.

  37. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m envious that you’re about to be snowed in — mostly because of these muffins!! (I feel like the term muffin doesn’t even do them justice – they look like little pillows from heaven). Cannot. Wait. to make these. Wow!

  38. I can’t get enough citrus fruit right now! These muffins look amazing!

  39. Deena kakaya says:

    Oh they look so light and inviting and lemon is my favourite ingredient in bakes so I could happily curl up with a tray of those on my lap, warm and sighsome x

  40. What a crazy storm! But you’ve made the best of it with these gorgeous pull-apart muffins. Oh. My. Definitely making these!

  41. Kate says:

    Stay warm! See everyone makes fun of me for saying that weather in February in the Northeast can be extreme, but really, we’re just a couple days away from February and…

  42. whoa, these look TOO good! i wish tennessee would get a gigantic snowstorm. your day sounds cozy 🙂

  43. Ohmygoodness, I need to get back to baking…these look amazing! Lemon + poppyseed = one of nature’s most perfect combinations

    Stay safe and warm! It’s been frosty here in Chicago, too, but you guys have gotten way more snow!

  44. Maegan @thebakermama says:

    These are the most marvelous looking and sounding muffins! I would eat the whole pan and bake another batch if 20 feet of snow was coming my way! Oh my! Stay safe and warm!

  45. Cailee says:

    WOW!! This is so great!! I love it! 🙂 YUM!!

  46. Oh my gosh, I hope the storm doesn’t get too crazy over there!! I am a big BIG fan of lemon and poppy seeds in baked goods. Add that to a pull apart bread?? Yum. Love all that sugar on top, too!

  47. Trisha says:

    Joanne, these are totally drool-worthy! I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve never bought meyer lemons before, but I will be scouring the grocery stores this week for sure! Hope you stay warm in the blizzard! I think I’d eat the whole pan for hibernation warmth….

  48. Hotly Spiced says:

    We have heard about the dumping of snow you’re expecting. Good luck with that! Although I have a few friends who went to NY in December for a white Christmas and came home very disappointed! In our supermarkets we have ‘lemons’. I have never seen ‘Meyer lemons’. I will have to find out if they’re available here as I keep hearing how much better they are than the standard lemon. Your pull-apart muffins look amazing xx

  49. Man, that’s a lot of frieking snow! I’d totally be good if all I had in the house while I was snowed in were these and a pot of coffee…… and wine.

  50. Mmmm – delicious Joanne – yes, we are hearing about your snow down here – these are just what you need to ward off the chill.

  51. Christine says:

    Tried to post a comment but got the following “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.” It made no since, I mean one, two sentence comment is too quickly? Thought you’d like to know. Glad you’re all set to be snowed in. These look delicious. Sadly, I lost my Meyer Lemon source. She moved up to Big Bear and has no fruit trees 🙁

  52. Eileen says:

    These are such a great idea! Who doesn’t want more lemon flavor and layers of deliciousness in muffin form? I ask you. 🙂

  53. These look spectacularly delicious! Good luck with the monster snow storm coming your way! Stay warm!

  54. These look like great little treats! Love the idea of pull apart muffins and love the glaze studded with poppy seeds. Meyer lemons are an unbeatable dessert flavor 🙂

  55. Betty says:

    If I were snowed in I’d definitely bake! I’m good with snow as long as my electricity doesn’t go out. You keep warm up there! These muffins look wonderful- I love anything lemon and poppyseed, and Meyer lemons make it even better. I’ll have to make a trek to town to see if I can find some. 🙂

  56. These look Uh-MAzing. Happy Shower Day Caroline!!! I wish I could have been a part of it! 🙂

  57. What delicious muffins, I love how warm and inviting they look 😀
    Hope they keep you heated in the storm coming!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  58. Isadora says:

    I hope you are staying safe and warm! Thank goodness for Netflix! Anything with the world pull apart gives me warm fuzzy feelings inside and these look awesome!

  59. Snow in New York is beautiful until it gets dirty. These look amazing 🙂

  60. Danguole says:

    OMG. You nailed it with these! Stay warm, and keep those muffin supplies steady!

  61. I’ve been thinking about these all day since spotting them on your IG. Incredible! The problem with being from California is that the weather people here are generally bored, and I’ve gotten immune to their extreme over excitement at the hint of anything climatologically news worthy. Today, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not like that on your coast. So, batten your hatches and eat your lemons, my friend!

  62. Mira says:

    Pull apart muffins? Genius idea, awesome flavors! Pinned!

  63. Sarah says:

    Pull apart muffins? This says in my belly now all over it for me. Yum! Citrus is one of my favorite flavors – I eat a few oranges each day! Good luck with the snow storm! Sounds like you may have a snow day off lab!

  64. Krista says:

    Those are such pretty muffins, Joanne! Definitely the sort of thing to see you through such a humdinger of a snowstorm. It’s so hard for me to fathom such weather as we swelter through a Queensland summer. 🙂

  65. Katerina says:

    I love citrus flavor in sweets and these are such pretty muffins!

  66. The pull apart gooeyness of a scroll with the neat base and not to healthy benefits of a muffin! It’s the solution to everything breakfast and snack and dessert!

  67. Johanna GGG says:

    I’m giving my little meyer lemon tree lots of tlc and watching my lemons turn yellow – maybe I will even do some baking as your pull apart looks fantastic – love the poppy seed drippy frosting – much better than drippy snow 🙂

  68. Kelly says:

    These pull apart muffins are such a great idea! I love the citrus flavor too! Meyer lemons are my favorite! They’re perfect to bring a little sunshine when it’s snowing outside. Hope you’re staying safe and warm.

  69. Heather says:

    I confess, I’ve never actually experienced a meyer lemon, so I’m pinning this and hoping to find some this upcoming week so I can make these awesome looking muffins this weekend!

  70. sara says:

    Lovely! These look amazing. 🙂

  71. Meyer lemons are the best! I would want to be snowed in with these.

  72. Oh Joanne, words cannot express how happy this post makes me (btw, some snowmageddon huh?) I love the mix of Meyer lemons with the grapefruit and that creamy glaze on top…mmmm…. Not to mention the fact that these photos are beyond gorgeous!! I wish I could reach out and grab one right now!

  73. cheri says:

    Hi Joanne, we have citrus coming out of our years, love this recipe!

  74. […] Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Pull-Apart Muffins from Eats Well With Others […]

  75. grace says:

    as someone who definitely likes to play with her food and eat with her hands, i’m loving these! even with that pesky yeast. 🙂

  76. Susan says:

    Lemon is my alternative to chocolate. Love them both! What beautiful puffs of lemony goodness. Glad NYC didn’t get blitzed!

  77. Lynna says:

    I loveeeeee lemonnnn. I need to make these happen! I live in California, but you can use a lemon muffin anywhhere ans any day!

  78. Holy crapolla these look amazing! I finally got my hands on a bag of meyer lemons yesterday, sadly they are quite small.

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