Blueberry Ricotta Lemon Coffeecake

 

With a rainy day here, it's a perfect time to try a twist based on an old ricotta lemon cake recipe. Blueberries were folded into the batter and topped with a crunchy streusel topping. to create a new recipe.  

A neighbor who brought Myers lemons from her California tree to share motivated me to bake this coffeecake with them.   

Blueberry Ricotta Coffeecake

Thanks to the creamy ricotta cheese, this tender cake has a spongy, moist interior. Juicy blueberries and a crunchy streusel topping make it irresistible. Add a cup of tea or your favorite cup of joe, and you'll almost forget about the rain. 

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
•  1/2 cup whole almonds
•  1 teaspoon Saigon Cinnamon or 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• Optional 1/2 cup toasted coconut

Streusel Directions:

• Place all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture is crumbly. 
• Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes in a small bowl. 

Cake Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
•  1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
•  3 tablespoons lemon zest
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon each almond and vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup blueberries 

Cake Directions:

• Grease a 9 x 9 pan and set aside.
• Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
• Using another bowl, mix lemon zest and sugar. Add ricotta cheese, eggs one at a time, extracts, lemon juice, and oil. Cream the mixture until well incorporated. 
• Add in flour mixture on low and beat just until incorporated. Do not overmix. 
• Fold in berries. Place batter in a greased pan. 
• Recrumble the topping with your fingers and sprinkle it evenly over the batter. 
• Bake for  40 minutes or until a tookpick comes out clean from the center. 
• Cool on a rack. This cake will keep well if tightly covered for 1 week in the refrigerator.