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Lemon Crumb Cake Recipe

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  • Author: Stacy Corbo
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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):

  1. Combine Ingredients:
    1. Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until creamy.
    2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each is combined.
    3. Beat in the lemon zest.
    4. Stream in the lemon juice with the mixer on medium-low speed. The mixture will look curdled.
  2. Cook Lemon Curd:
    1. Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe bowl.
    2. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring every 1 minute.
    3. Then microwave for 1 to 2 more minutes, stirring after each 30-second increment, until it coats the back of a spoon.
  3. Chill:
    1. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl, pressing it directly onto the curd.
    2. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, or until chilled and thick.

Lemon Crumb Cake:

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
    2. Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
  2. Make Crumb Topping:
    1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl.
    2. Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles sand.
  3. Combine Dry Cake Ingredients:
    1. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar:
    1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on high speed until creamy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
    2. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time.
    3. Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts and lemon zest until combined.
  5. Add Wet and Dry Ingredients:
    1. Beat in half of the flour mixture until just combined.
    2. Beat in the Greek yogurt.
    3. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
  6. Beat Egg Whites:
    1. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until foamy.
    2. Gradually add the 2 tablespoons of sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
  7. Fold in Egg Whites:
    1. Fold the egg white mixture into the cake batter.
  8. Assemble Cake:
    1. Spread the batter into the greased baking dish.
    2. Dollop the lemon curd on top and gently swirl it in with a knife.
    3. Sprinkle the crumb mixture all over the batter.
  9. Bake:
    1. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool and Serve:
    1. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with powdered sugar.
    2. 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