This Blueberry Lemon Streusel Coffee Cake is a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast or dessert. You’ll love the tender cake, juicy blueberries, bright lemon, and crunchy streusel topping. It’s a wonderful addition to your collection of coffee cake recipes.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- All-Purpose Flour: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free option.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best. Margarine or a plant-based butter substitute can also work.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar. A blend of granulated and brown sugar adds a deeper flavor.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are ideal. Frozen blueberries work too, just don’t thaw them first.
- Lemon Zest & Juice: Don’t skip these for that bright citrus punch.
- Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tenderness. Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute.
Ingredients:
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
For the Lemon Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 65-70 minutes
- Servings: 8-10
- Tools Needed: 9×9 inch baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×9 inch baking pan. This ensures your coffee cake doesn’t stick.
2. Make the Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout your coffee cake.
4. Cream Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Alternate Dry and Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in Blueberries and Lemon Zest
Gently fold in the fresh blueberries and lemon zest into the batter. Be careful not to crush the blueberries, keeping your coffee cake beautiful.
7. Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Glaze
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. If desired, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice for a glaze, then drizzle over the warm cake. This adds a lovely finish to your coffee cake.
Variation Ideas:
- Nutty Streusel: Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
- Other Berries: Replace blueberries with raspberries or blackberries for a different berry flavor.
- Spiced Cake: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom or nutmeg to the cake batter for a warmer spice profile.
- Orange Zest: Use orange zest instead of lemon zest for an orange-blueberry coffee cake.
Storage Instructions:
Store leftover Blueberry Lemon Streusel Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 5 days. For reheating, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or in a toaster oven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Can you use frozen blueberries? Yes, use frozen blueberries directly from the freezer. Do not thaw them first.
- How do you prevent blueberries from sinking? Toss them with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter.
- Can you make this coffee cake ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the streusel and dry ingredients a day in advance. The cake itself is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores well.
- What if you don’t have sour cream? Plain Greek yogurt works as a great substitute, offering similar moisture and tang.
- Can you freeze this coffee cake? Yes, cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Why is it called coffee cake? Coffee cake typically refers to a cake meant to be eaten with coffee, often for breakfast or brunch, rather than containing coffee as an ingredient.