Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

This is such a delicious crumb cake.  I think that it is a new favorite in my house.  My Hungry Puppies couldn't get enough!  A light and tender crumb cake with a ribbon of cream cheese, topped with a crisp and buttery crumb topping.  Perfect for any occasion, dessert, snack, breakfast, or a Mother's Day brunch!

Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

Crumb Topping:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter

Cake:
6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Grated zest of 1 lemon
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Ribbon:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease and flour a 9 inch round cake pan or springform pan.

For the crumb topping, stir together the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.  Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until pieces are pea size.  Place in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter.

For the cake, cream together the butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light.  Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream.  Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda, and beat until just combined.  The dough will be very stiff.

For the cream cheese ribbon, place the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg in a bowl, and blend together using a spoon or hand mixer until the mixture is completely combined and smooth.

Evenly spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.  Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter, then spoon the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer, being careful to spread the cake batter evenly.  Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cake batter.  Place the cake in the oven and bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove cake from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.  Makes 8 to 12 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy