A Piece of Cake – Berry soft cheese coffee cake

Have you ever got bored of ordinary biscuits to accompany your warm cup of tea or coffee? Try this coffee cake layered with a buttery sponge, a gooey soft cheese texture, and a sweet topping of berry streusel.

What’s in it? (8-10 servings)

Streusel Topping:

1/3 cup (45 grams) all purpose flour

1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup (56 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Soft Cheese Filling:

8 ounce package (227 grams) soft cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (peel)

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Cake Batter:

1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (56 grams) (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup (80 ml) milk

1 cup (240 ml) fresh blackberries, raspberries or blueberries or 1/2 cup (120 ml) raspberry preserves. Alternatively, use frozen berries at a lower cost.

How’s it made?

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/177 degrees C/Gas 4. Butter a 9 inch (23 cm) spring form pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

Streusel topping:

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Soft cheese filling:

In your electric mixer or food processor, beat the soft cheese until creamy and smooth. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy.

Cake batter:

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Add the flour mixture, alternately with the milk, and beat only until combined. Spread the batter onto the bottom, and slightly up the sides, of the prepared pan. Next, spread the soft cheese filling over the cake batter. Scatter the berries over the filling and top with the streusel.

Bake for about 70 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool slightly.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

(Source: Adapted from JoyOfBaking’s recipe http://www.joyofbaking.com/breakfast/BlackberryCreamCheeseCoffeeCake.html )

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