Description
This Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a luscious, moist cake featuring a tangy cream cheese layer sandwiched between a tender lemon-infused batter and topped with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Cake Layer
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan or a springform pan to prevent sticking.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set this mixture aside for later layering.
- Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the flour and sugar together. Cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside the crumb topping.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Cake Layer: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients for Cake Layer: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, egg, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Layer the Batter and Cream Cheese: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Then spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter and spread it out evenly. Follow with pouring the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer, spreading gently to cover it fully.
- Add the Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping evenly over the top of the cake to add a delicious crunchy texture after baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to settle, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cream cheese layer.
- Do not overmix the batter once wet and dry ingredients are combined; this helps keep the cake tender.
- Cold butter is essential for the crumb topping to achieve the right texture.
- Make sure to grease the pan well to prevent the cake from sticking after baking.
- Using fresh lemon zest and juice enhances the lemon flavor significantly compared to bottled juice or dried zest.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
