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Close-up of a soft cinnamon swirl cake topped with cream cheese icing.

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

A tender Cream Cheese Coffee Cake with a rich sour cream batter, a smooth lemon-kissed cream cheese filling, and a buttery streusel topping, finished with a light lemon glaze. Ideal for brunch or coffee breaks.
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Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 0

Ingredients

Cake Batter

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • teaspoons lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled and cubed

Lemon Glaze

  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ to 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Prepare the Streusel Topping

  • In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and lemon zest. Add the chilled butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Prepare the Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the oven rack in the center. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.

Combine Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Prepare the Cake Batter

  • In a stand mixer bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Finish the Batter

  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Add the sour cream and mix until smooth. Divide the batter evenly, setting half aside.

Assemble the Base Layer

  • Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

  • In the same mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Add ¼ cup of the reserved cake batter and mix until fully incorporated. Spoon the filling evenly over the batter in the pan.

Add the Top Layer

  • Spoon the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese filling. Using a knife, gently swirl the layers together in a figure-eight motion. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the surface.

Bake

  • Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion (not the filling) comes out mostly clean. If the toothpick touches the filling, it may appear wet.

Cool and Glaze

  • Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Carefully remove the cake from the pan and continue cooling for an additional 30–60 minutes.

Prepare the Glaze

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until thick yet pourable. Drizzle over the fully cooled cake and allow the glaze to set before slicing.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend in both the cake and streusel topping. Ensure all other ingredients, including baking powder and confectioners’ sugar, are labeled gluten free. Baking time may vary slightly.