Cream Cheese Coffee Cake – This Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is, like a slice that brings together the richness of cream cheese with just the right amount of sweetness and a tangy touch of lemon. In less than an hour you can whip up this treat that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Get ready to indulge in layers of moist cake, smooth filling and a crumbly streusel topping all topped off with a lemon glaze.
Behind every recipe lies an interesting story and this Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is no exception. It all began on a lazy Sunday morning when I decided to surprise my family with a breakfast delight. As the scent of baking cake wafted through our home my husband and child couldn’t. Sneak into the kitchen for a peek. The moment they tasted a slice their faces lit up with delight. I knew I had created something special.
What makes this Cream Cheese Coffee Cake truly special?
This Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is truly a work of art that combines the luxuriousness of cream cheese with an explosion of lemon flavors resulting in layers of pure indulgence. Its outstanding features include a velvety cream cheese filling that beautifully contrasts with the fluffy cake layers, a citrus twist from the addition of lemon zest and juice an enjoyable crunch, from the crumbly streusel topping and its effortless preparation requiring just 15 minutes of prep time. Take your breakfast or dessert experience, to the next level, with this delight that guarantees a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in each heavenly mouthful.
What You Need To Make This Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe?
Flour: Think about the three cups of all purpose flour, as the base of this cake like the ground beneath your feet. It’s where all the magic starts, giving structure and substance to your creation.
Baking Powder: Even though it may seem small with a teaspoon baking powder is like the hero that adds that extra lift and creates a soft airy texture to your cake. It’s like the wings beneath a butterfly.
Butter: That softened stick of butter is like the conductor of a symphony orchestrating the buttery notes that blend perfectly with the sweetness of the cake. It’s behind-the-scenes maestro ensuring every bite is bliss.
Salt: The half teaspoon of salt acts as a mediator, in a debate. It steps in to bring harmony by balancing out sweetness and enhancing all flavors in this combination. Consider it as the peacemaker of your recipe.
Sugar: A cup of granulated sugar is what gives your cake its heartbeat adding enough sweetness to make every bite an instant moment of pure joy. Think of it as that embrace you crave from a dessert.
Baking Soda: Even though it’s a small amount half a teaspoon of baking soda plays the role of a silent chemist in your baking endeavors. It reacts with the cream’s properties resulting in that perfect and tender crumb texture. It’s, like having a scientist in your kitchen.
Vanilla Extract: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract is akin to an artist adding the brushstroke to their masterpiece. It imparts a depth to your cake one that you’ll relish with each forkful. It’s like the signature touch of an artist.
Eggs: The four large eggs work harmoniously as team players, binding all the ingredients together in your recipe. They are like the glue that holds this entire creation intact—a true representation of knit family bonds.
Lemon Zest: Don’t mistake one tablespoon of lemon zest for garnish; it acts as the spark of inspiration that sets your creation ablaze. With its vibrant and zesty notes dancing on your taste buds it adds an uplifting twist that enhances the experience—a surprise in your culinary story.
Sour Cream: Imagine cream as a magician with tricks hidden up its sleeve. When added in quantities of one cup it brings moisture. Imparts a tang to your cake—ensuring not only deliciousness but also incredible moistness. It holds the secret, behind achieving tenderness in your cake.
Filling:
Cream Cheese: The creamy dreamweavers, in your recipe are the 16 ounces of softened cream cheese. They create a velvety and luscious filling that serves as the heart and soul of your coffee cake. Smooth, creamy and incredibly tempting it’s like a satin pillow for your taste buds.
Sugar: To sweeten the cream cheese filling without stealing the spotlight from the cake you’ll need half a cup of sugar. This amount adds a touch of sweetness acting as a supportive friend who knows when to listen and when to chime in.
Lemon Juice: For a burst of flavor in your filling incorporate four teaspoons of lemon juice. These drops of sunshine bring a tanginess and citrusy magic that takes the cream cheese to new heights. It’s like a twist in your tale.
Egg: To bind all the ingredients seamlessly add one egg to the filling mixture. This unifier acts as glue enhancing richness with every bite for delight. It plays the role of peacemaker within your ensemble.
Vanilla Extract: Enhancing the taste is half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, in the filling. This addition brings out creaminess and ensures an utterly irresistible flavor profile. Consider it as a flavor enhancer that guarantees your filling shines brightly.
Streusel Topping:
Flour: The amount of all-purpose flour (a quarter cup), in the streusel topping works wonders. It turns into those clusters giving the cake a contrast in texture. It’s like the expert of crunchiness in your recipe.
Sugar: Adding a quarter cup of sugar to the streusel topping brings sweetness and a touch of caramelization as it bakes. It’s that surprise that keeps you wanting more like the laughter shared between friends.
Lemon Zest: Including around 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon zest in the streusel topping is like having a companion. It infuses your cake with a citrusy aroma that elevates every bite. It’s that twist in your topping.
Butter: Utilizing three tablespoons of chilled butter in the streusel topping creates those crumbs that make your coffee cake shine. They are like treasures waiting to be discovered on your plate.
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Lemon Glaze:
Confectioners’ Sugar: Using a quarter cup of confectioners sugar for the glaze is like having an illusionist at work. It transforms into a drizzle adding a finishing touch, to your creation. It’s that enchantment that brings everything together.
Lemon Juice: The addition of half, to one tablespoon of lemon juice, in the glaze brings a balance to the sweetness while adding a tang. This creates a contrast that enhances the experience giving your sweet ending an unexpected twist.
Steps To Make Cream Cheese Coffee Cake:
Step 1: Let’s start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and placing the rack, in the center position.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl make the streusel topping by combining the dry ingredients and cutting in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Keep this aside.
Step 3: In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and granulated sugar for the cake.
Step 4: Using a stand mixer beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time ensuring mixing after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Gradually add 1/3 of the mixture to the ingredients while mixing until everything is well combined. Then add in the remaining mix and blend until all of them are thoroughly incorporated.
Step 6: Transfer half of the cake batter to another bowl, for later use while spreading out evenly with a greased 9×13-inch baking pan using up all of the remaining batter.
Step 7: Now let’s return to our mixer and prepare our cream cheese filling. Beat softened cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, egg, and vanilla extract together until you achieve a smooth consistency. Add 1/4 cup of cake batter into this filling mixture. Mix it well.
Step 8: Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the cake batter, in the pan. Smooth it out as much as possible.
Step 9: Take spoonfuls of the reserved cake batter. Spread it over the cream cheese filling using a knife to create a swirling pattern.
Step 10: Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the cake.
Step 11: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Keep in mind that if the toothpick goes into the cream cheese filling it may still appear moist.
Step 12: After removing from the oven allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for an hour. Then gently remove it from the pan. Let it cool for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 13: In a bowl combine confectioners’ sugar with lemon juice to make a glaze. The consistency should be thick enough to drizzle but still pourable.
Step 14: Drizzle the lemon glaze, over the coffee cake. Allow it to slightly harden before serving.
Tip:
For a hassle-free neatly sliced Cream Cheese Coffee Cake you can try using parchment paper to line the baking pan. Leave some paper hanging over the sides to act as handles. This way lifting the cake out of the pan will be a breeze once it’s cooled down. By following this method you’ll achieve cut slices without any sticking or crumbling when you serve this delightful treat. Enjoy your coffee cake without any worry!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I prepare this Cream Cheese Coffee Cake in advance?
Definitely! You have the option to prepare this coffee cake a day in advance and store it in a sealed container, in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve simply warm it up in the oven to enjoy that baked goodness.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! You can freeze slices of the coffee cake by placing them in an airtight container for up to three months. Just make sure they are well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn.
What can I substitute for lemon juice in the filling?
If you’re not particularly fond of lemon, orange juice is an alternative. It will infuse your filling with a citrusy flavor without the tanginess associated with lemons.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 stick 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup sour cream
Filling Ingredients:
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Streusel Topping Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled
Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the rack is positioned in the center. Grease a baking pan that measures 9x13 inches.
- In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- In another bowl cream together the butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Next mix in the eggs one, by one. Add the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the ingredients to the mixture while making sure everything is well combined. Fold in sour cream gently.
- Take half of the cake batter. Transfer it to a bowl while keeping it aside for now.
- Evenly spread out the remaining cake batter into the prepared baking pan.
- In another bowl prepare the filling for cream cheese by combining cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon juice, egg and vanilla extract until it becomes smooth.
- Spoon this cream cheese mixture over the cake batter, in the pan while making sure to spread it as possible.
- Now take that reserved cake batter from earlier. Spoon it over the cream cheese filling. Smooth it out using a knife so that you can create an effect by swirling both fillings
- Create a streusel topping by combining flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest and chilled butter in a bowl. To make the butter blend with the ingredients use a fork until it forms crumbs.
- Evenly spread the streusel topping over the cake.
- Bake, for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Be sure to test spots to ensure it's fully cooked.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for an hour. Then carefully remove it from the pan. Let it cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- In a bowl combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice to create a glaze. Drizzle this glaze, over the coffee cake. Let it set before serving.
- Enjoy your Cream Cheese Coffee Cake!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
