Strawberry Lemon Crunch Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• Zest of 2 lemons
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced

For the Crunch Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

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Instructions:

Preparing the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs and Lemon: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon zest and lemon juice.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold in the diced strawberries.
7. Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Crafting the Crunch Topping:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and pecans (if using).
2. Cut in Butter: Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to create coarse crumbs.
3. Sprinkle Over Cake: Evenly sprinkle the crunch topping over the cake batter.

Baking and Glazing:

1. Bake: Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
2. Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
3. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
4. Drizzle: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake before serving.

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Tips for Success:

• Fresh Strawberries: Use ripe, juicy strawberries for the best flavor.
• Cold Butter: Ensure the butter for the topping is cold to achieve a crunchy texture.
• Extra Lemon Flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the cake batter for a stronger citrus taste.

This Strawberry Lemon Crunch Cake is perfect for spring and summer gatherings, offering a refreshing burst of flavor and texture. Let me know if you’d like more variations or serving ideas! 😊