Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake

Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for a delightful and citrusy treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or at brunch, this Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake is the perfect option. The layers of soft, fluffy dough filled with a vibrant lemon and orange zest mixture create a refreshingly sweet and tangy flavor in every bite. Topped with a smooth cream cheese icing, this pull-apart coffee cake will quickly become a favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Pull-Apart Sweet Dough:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 envelope)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 4 tbsp (2 oz) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp finely grated lemon zest (from 4-6 lemons)
• 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
• 2 oz unsalted butter (melted)

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 3 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tbsp whole milk
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Make the Pull-Apart Sweet Dough:
   • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt.
   • In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat until the butter is melted. Remove from heat, add the water, and let the mixture cool to 120-130°F (about 1 minute). Stir in the vanilla extract.
   • Pour the milk mixture over the flour and yeast mixture. Use a rubber spatula to mix until moistened. Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until combined. Gradually add 1/2 cup flour and continue mixing until smooth (about 30-45 seconds). Add another 2 tablespoons of flour and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly sticky (about 45 seconds).
   • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for about 1 minute until smooth and no longer sticky. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (45-60 minutes).
2. Make the Lemon Filling:
   • While the dough is rising, combine the sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Coffee Cake:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
   • Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 20×12-inch rectangle.
   • Using a pastry brush, spread the melted butter evenly over the dough. Cut the dough crosswise into 5 strips, each 12×4 inches.
   • Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of the zest-sugar mixture on one strip, then stack another strip on top. Repeat with the remaining strips, ending with a stack of 5 layers.
   • Cut the stack crosswise into 6 equal strips (about 4×2 inches each). Fit the layered strips into the prepared loaf pan, cut sides up. Let the dough rise in a warm place for another 30-50 minutes until puffy.
4. Bake the Cake:
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
   • In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add the milk and fresh lemon juice, and beat until creamy and pourable.
6. Serve:
   • Drizzle the cream cheese icing generously over the warm cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
   • Serve the cake by pulling apart the layers or slicing it into 1-inch slices. Enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Warm Rising Environment: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to help it rise properly. If your kitchen is cold, preheat the oven slightly, turn it off, and place the dough inside to rise.
• Rolling the Dough: When rolling out the dough, use a gentle hand and make sure the surface is lightly floured to prevent sticking.
• Icing: For extra lemony flavor, you can add a bit more lemon juice to the icing or zest the lemon directly over the cake before serving.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories per slice: 290 kcal
• Servings: 12 slices

Time Breakdown:

• Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising)
• Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

This Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake is the perfect combination of light, fluffy dough and bright citrus flavor, making it a fantastic addition to any breakfast or brunch table. The pull-apart format makes it fun to serve, and the creamy lemon icing adds a finishing touch of sweetness. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply to enjoy at home, this coffee cake is sure to impress!

Print