Description
This Lemon Crumb Cake is a bright and delightful dessert that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors. A moist and tender lemon cake is topped with a buttery, crumbly lemon streusel and swirls of homemade or store-bought lemon curd. It’s a perfect treat for brunch, tea time, or any occasion that calls for a burst of citrus sunshine.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Crumb:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 cup lemon curd (recipe below, or store-bought)
- Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Easy Lemon Curd (if you don’t buy it):
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
Lemon Curd (if making from scratch):
- Combine Ingredients:
- Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each is combined.
- Beat in the lemon zest.
- Stream in the lemon juice with the mixer on medium-low speed. The mixture will look curdled.
- Cook Lemon Curd:
- Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring every 1 minute.
- Then microwave for 1 to 2 more minutes, stirring after each 30-second increment, until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Chill:
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl, pressing it directly onto the curd.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, or until chilled and thick.
Lemon Crumb Cake:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Make Crumb Topping:
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl.
- Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles sand.
- Combine Dry Cake Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on high speed until creamy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg yolks one at a time.
- Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts and lemon zest until combined.
- Add Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Beat in half of the flour mixture until just combined.
- Beat in the Greek yogurt.
- Beat in the remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
- Beat Egg Whites:
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until foamy.
- Gradually add the 2 tablespoons of sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in Egg Whites:
- Fold the egg white mixture into the cake batter.
- Assemble Cake:
- Spread the batter into the greased baking dish.
- Dollop the lemon curd on top and gently swirl it in with a knife.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture all over the batter.
- Bake:
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with powdered sugar.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- If making lemon curd from scratch, prepare it ahead of time.
- Use high-quality lemon extracts for a bright lemon flavor.
- Ensure your butter is softened for the cake batter and cold for the crumb topping.
- Do not overmix the cake batter after adding the flour.
- Gently swirl the lemon curd into the batter to create swirls without completely mixing it in.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 100mg