Description
Heavenly lemon pull-apart coffee cake delivers zesty sunshine on a plate with delicate, flaky layers kissed by citrus. Tangy glazed pastry promises pure morning bliss you’ll savor down to the last irresistible crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups (approx. 344 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
Dairy and Liquids:
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) whole milk
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 ounces (56 grams) unsalted butter (melted, for filling)
- 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk (for icing)
Flavoring and Additional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Craft the enriched dough foundation by blending flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer bowl, creating a dry ingredient matrix.
- Gently warm milk and butter in a saucepan until completely melted, then incorporate water and vanilla extract, allowing the mixture to cool to the precise yeast-activating temperature.
- Pour the liquid blend into the dry ingredients, stirring with a spatula until uniformly moistened, then attach the mixer’s paddle attachment to integrate eggs systematically.
- Gradually introduce additional flour, mixing until the dough transforms into a smooth, soft, and slightly tacky consistency, requiring minimal kneading on a floured surface.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm environment until its volume doubles, signaling fermentation completion.
- Prepare the citrus-infused sugar mixture by combining granulated sugar with vibrant lemon and orange zests, creating an aromatic flavor enhancer.
- Preheat the oven and butter a loaf pan, preparing the workspace for precise dough manipulation.
- Roll the risen dough into a rectangular canvas, then meticulously brush with melted butter to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Strategically slice the buttered dough into precise strips, layering them with the zesty sugar mixture to create a multi-dimensional flavor profile.
- Carefully stack and segment the layered strips, arranging them vertically in the prepared pan to maintain the intricate architectural design.
- Allow the assembled cake to undergo a final proofing stage, letting the layers become delightfully puffy and anticipating the baking transformation.
- Bake until the surface achieves a golden-brown complexion, signaling caramelization and flavor development.
- Craft a luxurious cream cheese glaze by blending cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and lemon juice until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
- Once slightly cooled, generously drape the cake with the tangy cream cheese icing, allowing it to cascade naturally along the cake’s contours.
- Invite guests to experience the cake by gently pulling apart the layers, revealing the intricate, zest-infused interior and celebrating the culinary artistry.
Notes
- Prep this zesty treat ahead of time by making the dough the night before and letting it slowly rise in the refrigerator for deeper flavor development.
- Use fresh, high-quality lemons for the zest to ensure maximum citrusy brightness and aromatic intensity in the filling.
- Ensure your milk mixture is precisely between 120-130°F to activate the yeast perfectly without killing its rising potential.
- Stack and cut the dough strips carefully to create those beautiful, pull-apart layers that make this coffee cake uniquely textured and visually appealing.
- Allow sufficient rising time in a warm, draft-free spot to help the dough reach its full potential and create a light, airy texture.
- Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, gently reheating individual pieces for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg