Lemon Coffee Cake with Crumble (Print View)
Moist, zesty lemon cake with buttery crumble topping. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Components
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
08 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Crumble Topping
12 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
15 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
16 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Optional Lemon Glaze
17 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
18 - 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
02 - In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the batter.
07 - Bake for 38-42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the crumble is golden brown.
08 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the optional glaze, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cake.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture is absolute perfection with that tender crumb and crunchy sugary top
- Fresh lemon makes it taste like sunshine even on the gloomiest morning
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine so much better than cold ones, so plan ahead
- That crumble needs to stay cold until the last possible second or it will melt into the batter instead of staying crisp
03 -
- Zest your lemons before juicing them, it is so much easier to handle the fruit that way
- Do not open the oven door during the first 30 minutes or the center might collapse