Lemon Crumble Cake

Step 1

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Prepare a 8x8 square pan (or a 6x10 rectangle pan) by spraying with non-stick spray or lining with parchment paper.

Step 2

Crumble: In a medium size bowl, whisk the flour, salt, brown sugar, and sugar together. Melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool just a little. 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.

Step 3

Cake batter: In a large bowl, add softened butter and cream for about a minute with a hand mixer (or place in a stand mixer). Add sugar and continue to mix.  Add eggs, one at a time, until each is incorporated.  Add sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest and mix together.

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 6

Assemble: 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. Spread some lemon curd over the batter just short of the edges, trying to keep it within the well.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and then sprinkle the chilled crumble over the cream cheese mixture.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

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!