Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Allrighty folks, this one's a doozy!! Its kinda complicated, but also one of the most amazing things I have ever baked in my life. It's worth every step. I highly recommend reading through it a few times, so you kinda have the system down, AND I suggest measuring things out ahead of time, like the sour cream. It'll make things easier, trust me. It's from Cooks Illustrated, ALMOST word for word, but I accidentally stumbled on an adjustment. Keep an eye out for the italics! 

*By the way, if a classic streusel topping sounds better, skip the lemon sugar almond topping, and use the streusel recipe at the end of the post*


Printable Recipe

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake (original recipe)

Published January 1, 2010.   From Cook's Illustrated.

MAKES ONE 10-INCH CAKE, SERVING 12 TO 16

Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap. For optimal texture, allow the cake to return to room temperature before serving.

INGREDIENTS

• Lemon Sugar-Almond Topping  
• 1/4cup sugar
• 1 1/2teaspoons finely grated zest from 1 lemon
• 1/2cup sliced almonds
• Cake  
• 2 1/4cups (11 1/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/8teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/8teaspoons baking soda
• 1teaspoon table salt
• 10tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
• 1cup plus 7 tablespoons sugar
• 1tablespoon finely grated zest plus 4 teaspoons juice from 1 to 2 lemons
• 4large eggs
• 5teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4cups sour cream
• 8ounces cream cheese, softened

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. FOR THE TOPPING: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together sugar and lemon zest in small bowl until combined and sugar is moistened. Stir in almonds; set aside.
   

   

   2. FOR THE CAKE: Spray 10-inch tube pan with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in medium bowl; set aside. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, and lemon zest at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, about 20 seconds, and scraping down beater and sides of bowl as necessary. Add 4 teaspoons vanilla and mix to combine. Reduce speed to low and add one-third flour mixture, followed by half of sour cream, mixing until incorporated after each addition, 5 to 10 seconds. 
   

   

   Repeat, using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining sour cream. Scrape bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 10 seconds. Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour.
2. 3. Reserve 1 & 1/4 cups batter and set aside. **STOP!! I tried it this way, the cheese filling sank straight to the bottom. Save 2 & 1/4 cups of batter!** Spoon remaining batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Return now-empty bowl to mixer and beat cream cheese, remaining 5 tablespoons sugar, lemon juice, and remaining teaspoon vanilla on medium speed until smooth and slightly lightened, about 1 minute. Add 1 & ¼ **I change it here from 1/4 to 1 & 1/4 cups. It will make the perfect swirl of filling!** cup reserved batter and mix until incorporated. Spoon cheese filling mixture evenly over batter, keeping filling about 1 inch from edges of pan; smooth top. 

   

   Spread remaining cup reserved batter over filling and smooth top. With butter knife or offset spatula, gently swirl filling into batter using figure-8 motion, being careful to not drag filling to bottom or edges of pan.

   

   Firmly tap pan on counter 2 or 3 times to dislodge any bubbles. Sprinkle lemon sugar-almond topping evenly over batter and gently press into batter to adhere.

   

   4. Bake until top is golden and just firm, and long skewer inserted into cake comes out clean (skewer will be wet if inserted into cheese filling), 45 to 50 minutes. Remove pan from oven and firmly tap on counter 2 or 3 times (top of cake may sink slightly). Cool cake in pan on wire rack 1 hour. Gently invert cake onto rimmed baking sheet (cake will be topping-side down); remove tube pan, place wire rack on top of cake, and invert cake sugar-side up. Cool to room temperature, about 1½ hours. Cut into slices and serve. (don't skimp on the cooling time or the cake will fall!!)
   

   

   Oh my. No really, just look at it! It's GORGEOUS!! And it better be worth it, for all that fiddling around, right??

   

   I promise...It is, it really is. This is the cake you want to pull out to impress ANYONE. Boss, mother-in-law, new friend, old friend, parent, spouse, random person off the street... they will sing your praises for years to come.
   

   

   It's light, and creamy, and buttery, and the filling just floats there through the middle, all soft and fluffy... wow.
   

   

   I think I need another slice... :) 
   

   

                                      
   *Streusel Topping*
   3 tablespoons granulated sugar
   3 tablespoons brown sugar
   pinch of salt
   1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour (3 1/2 ounces)
   5 tablespoons butter, melted and warm
   
   
   PS- I figured out my lighting problem!!!! Aren't these pictures fantastic?! YAY!!! Sorry...I'm excited... :)