Creating this incredible Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is straightforward when you follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well mixed.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another mixing bowl, combine the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well blended.

4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Add Poppy Seeds: Gently fold in the poppy seeds until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

6. Pour into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

8. Cool: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes. Then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Prepare Glaze: While the cake is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice to create a glaze. Adjust the consistency if needed.

10. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. If desired, dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.