Classic Crumb Coffee Cake with a Bright Lemon Note

This coffee cake is straightforward and dependable. It works well for everyday mornings or casual gatherings. The cake is soft and mildly sweet, with a hint of lemon. The crumb topping adds more sweetness and a nice crunch. It is familiar but with more flavor, provided by lemon zest. It’s flexible enough to suit a quiet morning or a shared table.

Courses: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

Ingredients

Crumb:

1 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar (scant)
¼ tsp salt (reduce to 1/8 tsp if using salted butter)
¾ tsp cinnamon
8 tbsp butter , melted (1 stick)
½ tsp vanilla extract

Cake:

8 tbsp butter , softened (1 stick)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (sour cream may be substituted)
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (8 ½ ounces)
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
Zest of one lemon
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the preferred pan: either two 8-inch rounds, 9X13-inch pan, or a 9 or 10- inch tube pan.

Instructions

Crumb:

1
Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2

Thoroughly mix in melted butter and vanilla extract.
3

Set aside

Cake:

4
Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
5
Add eggs one at a time and scrape down between additions.
6
Beat in vanilla and yogurt.
7
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and lemon zest.
8
Add flour mixture to butter/sour cream mixture, mixing until evenly combined.
9
Spread the batter evenly into the greased baking pan(s). The batter will be thick.
10
Spread the crumb mixture evenly across the batter.
11
Bake:
- 20 - 25 minutes for two 8-inch round pans
- 30 - 35 minutes for a 9×13-inch pan
- 35 - 40 for a 9- or 10-inch tube pan
12
Bake until the tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack.

Note

Quick Tips

Make the crumb first, so it has time to cool. It’ll be easier to break it into smaller pieces when it’s time to crumble it over the top.
Uncooked spaghetti works just as well as a toothpick to test for doneness.
Lemon zest is optional; it adds subtle brightness that balances the sweetness nicely.
Store any leftovers covered on the counter. Refrigeration will draw out the moisture and make it seem stale.

Grocery List (By Department)

Dairy

Butter (2 sticks total)
Plain Greek yogurt
Eggs

Produce

1 lemon

Pantry

Unbleached all-purpose flour
Sugar
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract

Closing Thought

My family routinely asks for this coffee cake, so I’ve made it over and over again. Even though there are only four of us, it’s usually all gone within a day. This is the kind of recipe that fits easily into real life: easy to make, easy to serve, and always well-received. It is also a great contribution for a potluck or as part of a buffet when serving a large group.