This Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake is the ultimate fusion of tangy lemon zest and juicy blueberries baked into a moist, tender crumb. Topped with a golden, buttery streusel and finished with a light lemon glaze, this coffee cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with fresh, vibrant flavor from lemon and blueberries
- Moist and fluffy cake thanks to the sour cream base
- Topped with a buttery streusel for extra texture and richness
- Easy to make and perfect for sharing
- Delicious served warm or at room temperature
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Sour cream
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- Powdered sugar (for glaze)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and sour cream to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes before adding the glaze.
- For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with a small amount of lemon juice until pourable, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Swap blueberries for raspberries or blackberries for a different fruity twist.
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping.
- Use orange zest and juice instead of lemon for a warmer citrus flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, just add them straight from the freezer to avoid excess moisture bleeding into the batter.
How can I keep the blueberries from sinking?
Toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter. This helps distribute them more evenly.
Can I make this cake a day ahead?
Absolutely, it stays moist and flavorful. Just glaze it before serving for best presentation.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
Greek yogurt is a great substitute and keeps the cake just as moist.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, it’s optional. The cake is delicious on its own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Is this cake overly sweet?
Not at all. The lemon provides a nice balance to the sweetness.
Can I bake this in a bundt pan?
Yes, but adjust the baking time and grease the pan well to prevent sticking.
Can I double the recipe?
You can, but use two pans or a larger one and extend the baking time as needed.
Should I thaw frozen blueberries before using?
No need to thaw them. Use them frozen and add them directly to the batter.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is best for flavor, but bottled will work in a pinch.
Conclusion
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake is a bright, flavorful treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re serving it at brunch, with your morning coffee, or as an afternoon snack, this cake is sure to become a favorite. Moist, tangy, and bursting with juicy blueberries—it’s everything you want in a coffee cake.
Print
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and tender coffee cake bursting with fresh blueberries and bright lemon flavor, topped with a sweet crumbly streusel.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for coating blueberries)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for streusel)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for streusel)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for streusel)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
- Toss the blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour to prevent them from sinking. Gently fold them into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, cinnamon, and cold butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over the batter.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Frozen blueberries can be used, but do not thaw before adding to the batter.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Optional glaze: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 tbsp lemon juice and drizzle over cooled cake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg