Have you ever bitten into something that instantly transported you back to childhood? This Lemon Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake does that for me. Growing up in my grandmother’s kitchen in rural Asheville, I watched her fold plump blueberries into batter, creating this magical balance of tart and sweet. It’s become my signature breakfast offering when hosting weekend guests at my home.
Lemon Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake
Tender lemon-infused cake studded with juicy blueberries and crowned with buttery cinnamon streusel for an irresistible breakfast treat.
Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or square baking dish. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
Make the Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, ½ cup flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces. Refrigerate while preparing the batter.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Blueberries
In a small bowl, toss blueberries with ¼ cup flour until lightly coated. This prevents berries from sinking to the bottom during baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
Add Wet Ingredients
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and vanilla extract until combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in three additions, alternating with buttermilk (beginning and ending with flour mixture). Mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix - the batter should be thick but spreadable.
Fold in Blueberries
Gently fold in flour-coated blueberries using a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Transfer and Top
Spread batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle streusel topping over batter, gently pressing it into the surface.
Bake the Coffee Cake
Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Cool Completely
Allow cake to cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. If using a springform pan, release the sides. If using a baking dish, use parchment paper to lift cake out onto rack. Cool completely before adding glaze.
Make the Lemon Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more lemon juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Finish and Serve
Drizzle glaze over cooled cake. Allow glaze to set for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Easy Lemon-Blueberry Coffee Cake | Soft and Buttery
How to make a soft, buttery lemon-blueberry coffee cake with a delicious streusel topping and sweet glaze.
What makes this coffee cake truly special is its dual personality – elegant enough for a formal brunch yet comforting enough for a lazy Sunday morning. The buttermilk creates an incredibly tender crumb while the lemon zest cuts through the richness. And unlike traditional coffee cakes that can leave you feeling sluggish, this lighter version lets you start your day energized.
When that first bite hits your tongue, you experience a symphony of textures – the buttery cake foundation, pockets of warm, bursting blueberries, and that irresistible cinnamon-sugar streusel that cracks and crumbles with each forkful. The bright lemon glaze adds a zingy finish that wakes up your taste buds and complements the juicy berries.
This cake merges simplicity with sophistication in the most delightful way. Try serving slices with a dollop of Greek yogurt for breakfast or alongside vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert. The versatility of this recipe means it can transition from morning to evening seamlessly. Remember that using room temperature ingredients results in the most tender texture – your patience will be rewarded with coffee cake perfection!
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