Zesty Lemon Pull-Apart Magic: The Dreamiest Coffee Cake Recipe

Sweet, tangy aromas of a freshly baked lemon pull-apart coffee cake fill the kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Soft, pillowy layers dripping with zesty lemon glaze promise a delightful morning treat.

Each delicate piece tears away effortlessly, revealing a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

The bright citrus notes dance alongside the rich, buttery base of this irresistible pastry.

Delicate strands of golden cake pull apart with ease, creating a playful and interactive breakfast experience.

Breakfast or brunch becomes an instant celebration with this show-stopping dessert that combines comfort and excitement in every single bite.

Dive into this recipe and transform your ordinary morning into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising)

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the tender bread base.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps activate yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for rising and creating soft, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast activity.

• Whole Milk: Creates rich, smooth dough consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb.
• Water: Helps hydrate and blend ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces subtle warm flavor.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates zesty sweet filling.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, tangy citrus notes.
• Orange Zest: Adds complementary citrus complexity.
• Cream Cheese: Creates creamy, smooth icing.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and thickens icing.
• Milk: Thins icing to perfect drizzling consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Adds fresh, sharp citrus punch to icing.

Tools That Help You Assemble Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake

• Stand mixer: Essential for mixing dough and creating smooth, consistent texture.
• Paddle attachment: Crucial for properly mixing and developing dough.
• Small saucepan: Perfect for heating milk and butter gently.
• Rubber spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape down bowl sides.
• 9×5-inch loaf pan: Needed for baking the coffee cake.
• Pastry brush: Useful for spreading melted butter evenly on dough.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out dough to precise rectangle shape.
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter: Allows precise cutting of dough strips.
• Medium bowl: Used for mixing cream cheese icing.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps to Make a Gooey Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Warm milk and butter gently, then cool slightly. Combine wet and dry ingredients, adding eggs gradually. Knead until smooth and slightly tacky. Let dough rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size.

• Zesty Flavor Coating

Create a fragrant blend of sugar and citrus zests. This mixture will add bright, tangy notes to the cake’s layers.

• Dough Transformation

Roll out dough into a large rectangle. Brush with melted butter. Cut into strategic strips, layering with zesty sugar mixture. Stack and slice the layers carefully.

• Baking Magic

Place layered strips in a loaf pan. Allow dough to puff up in a cozy corner of your kitchen. Bake until the top turns golden and inviting.

• Creamy Drizzle

Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar until silky. Add a splash of milk and lemon juice for extra zing. Generously coat the warm cake, letting the icing cascade down the sides.

• Serving Delight

Invite friends to pull apart the tender, fragrant layers. Each bite promises a burst of citrusy sweetness and soft, buttery texture.

Tips for a Soft Texture and Bold Lemon Taste

• Replace lemon and orange zest with lime or grapefruit zest for a tangy tropical twist that brightens the entire dessert.
• Sprinkle ground cardamom or cinnamon into the sugar mixture to add warm, complex undertones that complement the citrus notes.
• Fold chopped almonds or pecans between dough layers for unexpected texture and a delightful nutty flavor profile.
• Swap cream cheese icing with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice for a lighter, brighter topping.
• Keep leftover cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.

Serving Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake with Coffee

• Brunch Bliss Centerpiece: Place this lemon pull-apart coffee cake as the star attraction on your weekend brunch table, surrounded by fresh berries and light mimosas for a gorgeous presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Slice delicate pieces to accompany afternoon tea, pairing perfectly with Earl Grey or chamomile for a delightful sweet and tangy break.
• Dessert Elegance: Transform this coffee cake into a simple yet impressive dessert by adding a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
• Gift of Love: Wrap individual sections in parchment paper for a homemade gift that shows personal care and baking skills, making friends and family feel truly special.

How to Store Pull-Apart Coffee Cake for Later

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the lemon coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Counter Freshness Window: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place under a cake dome or inverted bowl to protect from dust and maintain softness.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to retain texture and flavor.
• Reheating Magic: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Add a light brush of melted butter to refresh the cake's softness and restore its just-baked taste.

Tangy Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon pull-apart coffee cake delivers a tantalizing blend of citrus and sweetness. Layered pastry invites bakers to savor each tender, fragrant slice while enjoying a delightful morning treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ¾ cups (344 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (room temp)
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for filling)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
• 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter
• 2 oz (56 g) unsalted butter (melted, for filling)
• 3 oz (85 g) cream cheese (softened)
• ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) whole milk
• 1 tbsp whole milk (for icing)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
2. Liquid Integration: Warm milk and butter until melted, then mix with water and vanilla extract, cooling to optimal yeast-activating temperature.
3. Dough Formation: Blend liquid mixture into dry ingredients, incorporating eggs systematically to develop a smooth, soft, slightly tacky dough.
4. Initial Fermentation: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until volume doubles, indicating proper proofing.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Mix granulated sugar with lemon and orange zests to create an aromatic citrus-infused sugar blend.
6. Dough Manipulation: Roll risen dough into a rectangular shape, meticulously brushing with melted butter and cutting into precise strips.
7. Layering Technique: Stack buttered dough strips, generously coating each layer with zesty sugar mixture, creating a multi-dimensional flavor profile.
8. Pan Arrangement: Vertically position layered strips in a buttered loaf pan, maintaining the intricate architectural design.
9. Final Proofing: Allow assembled cake to rise, becoming delightfully puffy and preparing for baking transformation.
10. Baking Process: Preheat oven and bake until the surface achieves a golden-brown complexion, indicating caramelization and flavor development.
11. Glaze Creation: Whisk cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and lemon juice into a silky, pourable cream cheese icing.
12. Finishing Touch: Once slightly cooled, drape cake with tangy cream cheese glaze, allowing it to cascade naturally along the cake’s contours.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure liquid temperature hits 110-115°F for optimal yeast activation without killing microorganisms.
• Dough Consistency Matters: Aim for slightly tacky texture that springs back when touched, indicating proper hydration and gluten development.
• Rise Strategically: Choose warm, draft-free spots like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with light on to create ideal proofing environment.
• Zest Technique Tip: Use fresh citrus zest and avoid white pith for maximum aromatic flavor without bitter undertones.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising)
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg