Wake Up to the Zest of Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake
Kickstart your morning with a slice of this Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake, where the bright zest of lemon meets the sweet crunch of a crumble topping. Perfect for a leisurely breakfast or a brunch gathering, this cake combines a moist, tender crumb with the refreshing tang of lemon in every bite.

Whether it's a special occasion or a regular weekday, this cake makes every morning feel celebratory. Ready to fill your kitchen with the aroma of baking lemons? Let’s start this delightful baking journey.
Bright and Beautiful: Your Morning Treat
This Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, brightening up your morning table with its sunny, inviting look. Here’s how you can master the art of this perfect breakfast cake, including some tips to get it just right.
Essential Tips for a Flawless Lemon Cake:
- Zesty Sugar: Use a food processor to blend the lemon zest with sugar, enhancing the lemon flavor throughout the cake.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are incorporated to keep the crumb soft and tender.
- Perfect Crumble: For the topping, mix until crumbly but not too dry; larger clumps will add texture.
- Test for Doneness: Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, ensuring the cake is cooked perfectly without drying out.
- Cool Properly: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully.

Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake Recipe:
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 40-50 minutes
- Total time: About 1 hour
- Servings: 12
- Equipment: 8-inch springform pan, food processor, stand mixer
This cake is sure to become a morning favorite, offering a zesty start to your day.
Ingredients:
For the Crumble Topping:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (80g)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (56g or 2oz)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (100g)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the Lemon Cake:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (170g)
- Zest from 2 lemons (preferably organic)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (252g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g or 4oz)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ cup buttermilk, well shaken (4oz)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons, 2oz)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Directions:
- Prepare Lemon Sugar: In a food processor, pulse the granulated sugar with the zest of two lemons until well combined and the sugar is infused with lemon.
- Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Prepare an 8-inch springform pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream the room temperature butter with the lemon-infused sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk mixed with lemon juice to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: Mix the crumble ingredients until crumbly.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the batter.
- Bake: Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze if desired.
Enjoy Your Lemon-Infused Morning!
This Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake is the perfect way to bring a touch of sweetness to your early hours, making it a delightful companion to your morning coffee or tea. Enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors of lemon and the satisfying texture of the crumble topping as you savor each bite of this exquisite cake.
Print📖 Recipe
Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake
This cake is sure to become a morning favorite, offering a zesty start to your day.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
For the Crumble Topping:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (80g)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (56g or 2oz)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (100g)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the Lemon Cake:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (170g)
- Zest from 2 lemons (preferably organic)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (252g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g or 4oz)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ cup buttermilk, well shaken (4oz)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons, 2oz)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Lemon Sugar: In a food processor, pulse the granulated sugar with the zest of two lemons until well combined and the sugar is infused with lemon.
- Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Prepare an 8-inch springform pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream the room temperature butter with the lemon-infused sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk mixed with lemon juice to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: Mix the crumble ingredients until crumbly.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the batter.
- Bake: Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes






Leave a Reply