Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
A tender coffee cake layered with a sweet strawberry glaze and tangy cream cheese, perfect for brunch or dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup, diced fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until combined.
- Step 2: In another bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry and gently stir until just combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Pour half the batter into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Dollop half the cream cheese mixture over the batter and spread gently. Sprinkle half of 1 cup diced fresh strawberries mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice evenly over the layer.
- Step 5: Pour remaining batter on top, then dollop and spread the rest of the cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining strawberries.
- Step 6: Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan and slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Layered Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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