Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9-inch (22 cm) cake pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the ground poppy seeds, flour, baking powder, and lemon zest.
In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and milk. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a smooth batter.
In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter in two additions, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar or garnish with lemon slices.
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