If you love the bright, tangy zing of lemon paired with the rich, velvety texture of cream cheese, then this Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. It’s the perfect balance of moist cake, luscious cream cheese filling, and crumbly topping, all infused with fresh lemon flavor that wakes up your senses. Whether you’re looking for an indulgent breakfast, an afternoon delight, or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this cake checks all the boxes with its irresistible layers and easy, feel-good ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe calls for simple yet essential ingredients that come together beautifully. Each one plays a unique part, from the tangy zest to the fluffy crumb, making the final cake both flavorful and satisfying.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Provides a creamy, tangy filling that melts perfectly into the cake layers.
- Sugar (¼ cup + ¼ cup + ¾ cup): Sweetens the cream cheese mixture, crumb topping, and cake batter for balanced flavor.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients and add richness to both the cream cheese layer and cake batter.
- Lemon juice (1 ½ tsp + 2 tbsp fresh): Injects fresh citrus brightness into the cream cheese filling and cake batter.
- All-purpose flour (½ cup + 1 ½ cups): Forms the structure of the crumb topping and main cake layers for tender crumb.
- Butter (2 tbsp, cold and cubed): Creates that delightfully crumbly, buttery topping texture.
- Baking powder (½ tsp): Helps the cake rise beautifully and stay light.
- Baking soda (¼ tsp): Works alongside baking powder to give the cake a perfect lift.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and citrus tang.
- Vegetable oil (½ cup): Keeps the cake moist and tender without weighing it down.
- Plain Greek yogurt (½ cup): Adds moisture and a subtle tang that enhances the lemon flavor and texture.
- Fresh lemon zest (2 tbsp): Delivers bright, aromatic citrus notes for that signature lemony punch.
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan well to ensure the cake comes out cleanly after baking. This simple prep makes the whole process smooth and sets you up for success.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, one egg, and 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice until everything is smooth and fully combined. This luscious layer is the heart of the Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe, offering a moist, tangy surprise in every bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Crumb Topping
Mix ½ cup flour with ¼ cup sugar in a small bowl, then cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumbly topping adds a delightful crunch and buttery goodness to complement the creamy filling and tender cake.
Step 4: Make the Cake Batter
Whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl for the dry ingredients. Separately, in another bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, ¾ cup sugar, one egg, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until smooth. Gradually combine the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring until just blended to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Step 5: Assemble the Layers
Pour half of your cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Carefully add the cream cheese mixture on top, smoothing it out gently. Then pour the remaining batter over the cream cheese and spread it gently so you don’t disturb the filling too much. Finally, sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over everything for that perfect finish.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes—this helps it set. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully enhances the cake’s flavor and texture, making each slice a little moment of joy.
How to Serve Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of lemon glaze elevates the cake’s appearance and adds an extra layer of sweetness. Fresh lemon slices or a sprinkle of lemon zest on top also create a stunning and fragrant finish that mirrors the cake’s inside flavors.
Side Dishes
Serve this cake alongside a cup of your favorite coffee or a bright herbal tea like chamomile or mint. If you want to go the extra mile, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes for a cozy and indulgent pairing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch or special occasion, cut the cake into small squares and serve on a pretty platter surrounded by fresh berries or edible flowers. You could also layer slices with mascarpone and berries to create an elegant parfait-inspired dessert that surprises your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, storing it in the fridge helps maintain freshness and texture for up to five days.
Freezing
Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results without losing its moistness and flavor.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked feeling, warm slices gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or place in a low oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. This helps revive the cake’s softness and enhances the lemon aroma.
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes, regular yogurt works fine, though Greek yogurt’s thicker texture helps keep the cake more moist and tender. If using regular yogurt, consider straining it to remove extra liquid for best texture.
Is this coffee cake gluten-free?
This particular Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you could try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, though texture may vary slightly.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, try replacing cream cheese with a plant-based alternative and use coconut oil instead of butter and vegetable oil. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the cake is fully baked?
The best test is inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked. Make sure not to overbake to keep it moist.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped almonds or pecans in the crumb topping add wonderful crunch and complement the lemon and cream cheese flavors nicely.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe is a delightful way to brighten your mornings or impress at gatherings with something homemade and heartwarming. It’s a brilliant blend of tangy, creamy, sweet, and crumbly that feels both comforting and fresh. I can’t wait for you to try it and watch it quickly become a treasured favorite in your recipe box!
Print
Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake featuring layers of moist lemon-flavored cake, a rich cream cheese filling, and a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this cake combines tangy lemon zest with creamy texture and sweet crumb for a delightful balance of flavors.
Ingredients
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 and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Make the cream cheese layer: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the crumb topping: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup flour with ¼ cup sugar. Cut in the cold butter cubes with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Mix dry cake ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Mix wet cake ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, ¾ cup sugar, 1 egg, plain Greek yogurt, fresh lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice until smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Assemble the cake layers: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to create a base layer.
- Add cream cheese layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the batter layer in the pan.
- Top with remaining batter: Pour the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer and spread it gently to cover.
- Sprinkle crumb topping: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over the top of the cake layers.
- Bake the cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into 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, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly topping texture.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright lemon flavor.
- Allow the cake to cool completely to make slicing easier and prevent crumbling.
