Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper or silicone liners.
- In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, then stir in the cottage cheese, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds. Ensure the lemon zest is rubbed into the flour mixture to prevent clumping.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. Mix just until no streaks of dry flour remain. Stop mixing immediately.
- Quickly fold in the 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. The batter will be thick; this is correct.
- Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes to promote a high dome.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 15–17 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If using the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle generously over the cooled Lemon Poppy Seed Cottage Cheese Muffins.