LEMON CRUMB CAKE

Lemon Crumb Cake is a buttery lemon cake with lovely texture from sour cream & lemon curd! Bright, fresh lemon flavor abounds in this easy moist, crumb-topped dessert.

This lemon cake is a delightful treat that is perfect for any occasion, serve it as a dessert or a breakfast treat. Lemon layer cake is perfect for summer, the simple ingredients come together to create a sweet, citrus flavored cake that tastes absolutely incredible!

Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

This lemon crumb cake is a delicious dessert that is made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, lemon curd, and lemon zest, giving it a unique and refreshing flavor. It is often served at special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. The cake is also a popular choice for brunches and afternoon tea parties. Its tangy, sweet flavor and crumbly texture make it a perfect treat for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Lemon Cake Recipe

• Moist and Flavorful Cake: The lemon cake is moist, tender, and bursting with lemon flavor. It’s made with fresh lemon zest, which gives it a bright, citrusy taste that’s not too sweet.
• Crumbly and Crunchy Topping: The crumb topping is made with a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter, which creates a crumbly and crunchy texture that complements the softness of the cake.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is easy to follow and doesn’t require any special equipment or ingredients. Don’t let the ingredient list scare you, this recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make a delicious dessert without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Lemon Crumb Cake Ingredients

Crumb Topping

Flour: You will need ⅔ cup of flour to create a nice cake crumble.

Salt: Use just a dash of salt to balance the sweetness in this topping.

Brown sugar: Adding 3 TBSP of brown sugar will create a nice flavorful crumble.

Sugar: For more sweetness, you need 5 TBSP of granulated sugar.

Butter: Add 4 TBSP of butter, melted, for a wonderfully rich cake topping.

Lemon Cake

Butter: Using 6 TBSP of butter, softened, will give the cake a nice rich flavor.

Sugar: For a perfectly sweet and soft cake, you need 1 cup of sugar.

Vanilla extract: Enhance all the incredible flavors by adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Lemon zest: Use 1 TBSP of lemon zest from one medium to large size lemon.

Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together by adding 2 eggs to the cake batter.

Sour cream: Create a soft and moist cake by using ¾ cup of sour cream.

Lemon curd: You will need 1 cup of lemon curd (store-bought or homemade) to give the cake even more amazing flavor.

Flour: The structural base of this cake recipe is 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour.

Baking powder: Help the cake rise properly as it bakes by adding 1 tsp of baking powder.

Salt: To balance all the flavors in this recipe, use ¼ tsp of salt in the batter.

Cream Cheese Filling

Cream cheese: Make the filling tangy and rich by using one 8-oz package of cream cheese, softened.

Egg: Add 1 egg for a rich and delicious filling.

Vanilla extract: To bring out all the amazing flavors in this filling, use ½ tsp of vanilla extract.

Sugar: Use 4 TBSP of sugar to sweeten the filling perfectly but not overly so.

Lemon curd: You will need 1 ½ cups of lemon curd (see our homemade lemon curd recipe here!) for more delicious citrus taste.

How to make Lemon Crumble Cake

Prep

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. Then prepare an 8×8 square pan (or a 6×10 rectangle pan) by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper.

Crumble

In a medium size bowl, whisk the flour, salt, brown sugar, and sugar together.

Next, melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool just a little. Proceed to pour the butter over the flour mixture and stir with a fork, until the mixture is all pea sized pieces. Place the crumble mixture in the refrigerator.

Cake batter 

In a large bowl, add the softened butter and cream for about a minute with a hand mixer (or place in a stand mixer). Then add the sugar and continue to mix.

Continue to add the eggs, one at a time, until each is incorporated. After that, add in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.  

In a separate medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Proceed to add this dry mixture to the butter mixture and stir with a wooden spoon just until the flour is incorporated. Set the batter aside.

Filling

In another medium bowl, mix the cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Then add the egg and mix again. Now add the sugar and vanilla extract, mix for 1-2 minutes, until the cream cheese is lump free and smooth.

Assemble 

Proceed to pour half of the cake batter in the prepared pan, creating a little bit of a well by bringing the batter up the sides slightly. Next, spread some lemon curd over the batter just short of the edges, trying to keep it within the well. 

Then add the remaining cake batter over the curd layer, try not to let the curd spread to the edges.  

After that, spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and then sprinkle the chilled crumble over the cream cheese mixture.

Bake  

Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes.  When the center is set, the cake is done. Check the cake at about 40 minutes to make sure the top is not browning too much. If it is, you can tent some tin foil over the cake, so it doesn’t get too dark.  

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on the counter for 1-2 hours. Then place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. 

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

How long will it take to make this recipe?

It will take about 20 minutes to gather the ingredients and mix them together.  It will take about 50-60 minutes to bake the cake. There is a cooling and chilling process that adds more time, but believe me, the wait is worth it!

What supplies and baking equipment will I need?

You will need a baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls of various sizes, measuring cups and spoons, hand mixer or stand mixer, wooden spoon, and spatula. If making lemon curd you will need a sauce pan as well.  

How long is Lemon Crumble Cake good for?

Lemon crumb cake can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To maintain its freshness, it is recommended to store the cake in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

If you plan to store the lemon crumb cake for longer than 3 days, refrigeration is recommended. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in an airtight container. This will help prevent the cake from drying out or absorbing any unwanted flavors from other foods in the refrigerator.

It is important to note that refrigeration can cause the cake to lose some of its flavor and texture. Therefore, it is recommended to consume the cake within 5-7 days of refrigeration.

Tips for making a delicious Lemon Cake!

It is important to gather all your ingredients and prepare measurements ahead of time.  Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature (unless mentioned not to), zest your lemon, and melt the butter. Take the recipe one step at a time and make sure to measure out your ingredients accurately for the best results.

Also, make sure you split the cake batter in half as close as possible so you have enough to cover curd.  

To ensure a clean slice of your cake, make sure it is well chilled. Top with additional lemon curd or whip cream.  Add candied lemons for decoration.  

Can I use lemon juice instead of lemon zest in this recipe?

No, lemon juice cannot be substituted for lemon zest in this recipe. Lemon zest is the outermost layer of the lemon peel and contains essential oils that provide a strong lemon flavor and aroma to the cake. Lemon juice, on the other hand, is the liquid inside the lemon and has a sour taste.

Where do I find lemon curd in the grocery store?

Lemon curd can usually be found in the jam and jelly section of the grocery store. If you cannot find it there, check the baking aisle or ask a store associate for assistance.

Why might a lemon cake crack on top and how can it be prevented?

A lemon cake may crack on top if the oven temperature is too high or if the cake is overbaked. To prevent cracking, be sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature and check the cake for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. Additionally, placing a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven can help create steam, which can prevent the cake from cracking.

Love lemon as much as we do? Try more great lemon recipes here:

• Lemon Poke Cake Recipe
• Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake
• Lemon Raspberry Muffins
• Mini Lemon Drop Cupcakes
• Lemon Buttermilk Bread
• Lemon Pudding Cookies
• Lemon Lush Dessert
• Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
• Lemon Ice Box Pie
• Lemon Butter Bars Recipe
• Lemon Pound Cake Muffins
• Lemon Sugar Cookies
• Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Lemon Crumb Cake is a wonderful combination of a tangy lemon flavor, sweet soft cake with a topping that adds a nice texture to each bite. The sweet cream cheese filling in this cake creates a perfectly sweet and absolutely incredible treat.