Friday, September 7, 2012

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake

Over the Labor Day weekend, we also celebrated Brian's birthday. He doesn't like much of a fuss but he does like my cooking and baking so I usually try to make him something special. I happen to know that his two favorite desserts are my cheesecake and blueberry crumb cake so I decided to combine them in one, evil genius, birthday dessert.

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake
Imagine a super moist coffee cake, bursting with fresh blueberries and lemon zest. Top that with a layer of creamy lemon cheesecake and finish it with an extra thick layer of cinnamon streusel. Decadent? Over the top?  up...that's why I made it!

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake
On these summer holiday weekends, we usually head out east early on Friday to avoid the mad rush. By the time the Hamptons beach house renters start arriving in the area, we've already done our grocery shopping and stocked up the house for the weekend. They're just getting off the jitney's when we're already relaxing in our garden with a frozen cocktail. But on this particular Friday, Brian had to work late and we didn't head out until after dark. We left the shopping for Saturday morning (and braved the insane crowds) but I'd already baked the cake earlier in the day and brought it with me.

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake
We sat down at our kitchen table, tired. I cut him a slice of the cake and heard him moan when he tasted it. Nearly half of it disappeared that Friday night as he finally got to enjoy his birthday. Over the weekend his brother joined us for a visit and I served him some cake. He knew I always bring a dessert to the family get-togethers (in this case, Rosh Hashanah is a couple of weeks away) and he asked if I'd consider making this cake again. I guess he liked it, too...  Enjoy!





Ingredients (adapted from The Barefoot Contessa)

Crumb Topping Layer:
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Stick unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
Dash of salt

Cake Layer:
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3/4 Cup sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon vanilla
1 Teaspoon grated lemon zest
2/3 Cup sour cream
1 1/4 Cups all purpose flour
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1/4 Teaspoon baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1 Cup blueberries
Confectioner's sugar for dusting

Cheesecake Layer:
8 oz. Cream cheese
1 Egg
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla
1 Teaspoon lemon juice

Blueberry Cheese Crumb Cake
To make the crumb topping, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter and then the flour. Mix well and set aside.

To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar together using either a stand mixer or a hand mixer. Add the eggs, vanilla, lemon zest and sour cream and continue mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Slowly mix into to the batter just until combined.

To make the cheesecake layer, blend the ingredients with a hand mixer, stand mixer or food processor until thoroughly combined and free of lumps.

To assemble the cake, pour the cake layer batter into a greased 9" round spring-form pan (you can also bake this in a 9" square baking dish). Pour the cheesecake batter over the cake batter and gently spread out. Crumble the crumb topping evenly over the batter and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for approximately 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before removing from the spring-form pan. Dust the top with confectioner's sugar before serving. Makes approximately 10 servings.

27 comments:

  1. 2 great ingredients that go well together- blueberries and chreem cheese! The cake looks very yummy!

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  2. The cream cheese layer in this crumb coffee cake sounds heavenly!

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  3. Ummmm, yes. I'll take the half on the left side.

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  4. Oooh, I love the cheesecake layer. Love blueberries, love cheesecake, love blueberries... sounds perfect!

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  5. I am pinning this one! Thanks again for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!

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  6. I looooove blueberries!! Especially when they are in crumb cake

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  7. Uh, yeah, about this cake. I want some. Like, more than one piece. I totally pinned this and will be making it in the near future. Happy birthday, Brian!

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  8. Fantastic birthday treat!!! I love a good cheesecake. When I was little I would only eat the crumbs off of any kind of coffee cake or dessert. I also hate shopping with the crowds!!!

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  9. That cheesecake layer is pretty genius there! Pair is together with what is already a perfect cake? Brian is a lucky man!

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  10. This looks and sounds wonderful! What a great chef you are!

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  11. This sounds amazing and not so hard for this non-baker momma! I may just have to give it a shot!

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  12. Love that creamy layer running through it. Wish I had some with my tea!

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  13. Umm, what is the word I am thinking of? PERFECTION!! I am in love with this dessert! I has everything I could ever want all rolled into one! Thanks for sharing at Foodie Friends Friday!

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  14. Love the Blueberry Crumb Cake, but then you added a cheescake layer, and now this is a birthday masterpiece! Hope that you hubby had a great day!

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  15. This is definitely a keeper recipe! I'm going to try and make this this week! Thanks for sharing, and I was just in your neck of the woods for work. Have a great rest of the weekend!

    Life of a Modern Housewife

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  16. Yummy!!! awesome recipe Anita:))) I will defiantly try this cake♥¸.•*´¯*♥

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  17. This looks nothing short of FABULOUS! I'm pinning this and can't wait to try it soon. I'm going to have to make it sometime when we have company because I'm afraid I could devour the entire thing. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Potluck. Have a terrific week!
    ~Kim

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  18. Oh, boy, does this look spectacular! The cheesecake layer puts this one over the top! No wonder Brian moaned...I would, too!!! Belated birthday wishes to your sweetie :)

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  19. this looks amazing!!!!! YUM! I heart crumb cakes

    Come link this recipe to my link party!

    http://krumblecakesandsweets.blogspot.com/2012/09/link-up-party-hop-to-my-blog-and-show.html

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  20. i want this in my life. like right now.

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  21. Oh my goodness. This looks just delightful!!

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  22. You created a fabulous masterpiece of a simple blueberry cake and added the amazing cream cheese layer that really put it over the top. So nice that your hubby and your brother-in-law approved. Great dessert idea for Rosh Hashana!

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  23. Oh yum and yum again. I agree that this is truly a masterful cake and your pictures do it absolute justice!

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  24. Sounds and looks so yummy! So I decided to make it, but couldn't find out when to add the blueberries anywhere in the directions! I assumed that they would get folded into the cake batter at the end. Keeping my fingers crossed! Please review and revise your recipe. Thanks!

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  25. I am going to try this gluten free because it sounds too good to ignore! I hope it works. I wonder if anyone else has.

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