Lemon Surprise Coffee Cake

Back to the idea that I want to own a bed and breakfast in the future. I am always looking for coffee cake recipes. This one truly is award winning, in my opinion. What could be better in the morning than lemon and streusel topping? Really ... I want to know who doesn't like a good streusel topping on a coffee cake. Plus, lemon is one of my most favorite tastes, so this is perfect for my little cup of coffee in the early morning hours. Here it is ...

Lemon Surprise Coffee Cake Serves 12

Streusel Topping
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
3 T. butter, softened
1/2 c. coconut (optional)

Coffee Cake
2 1/4 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
2/3 c. plain or vanilla yogurt
2 t. grated lemon zest
2 T. lemon juice
2 whole eggs
1/2 c. lemon curd or lemon pie filling

Glaze
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. lemon juice
1 t. water
1 T. lemon curd or lemon pie filling

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9" springform pan for baking. Combine 1/2 c. flour and 1/3 c. sugar; mix well in a medium mixing bowl. With a fork or pastry blender, cut in 3 T. butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in coconut.

2. In a large bowl, combine 2 1/4 c. flour, 1 c. sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add 3/4 c. butter, yogurt, lemon peel, 2 T. lemon juice and eggs. Stir mixture with a spoon until well blended.

3. Spread 2 c. of the batter into the prepared pan; sprinkle with 3/4 c. of the streusel. Drop lemon curd by teaspoonfuls over streusel to within 1/2" of the edge. Spoon remaining batter over lemon curd (pie filling); sprinkle with remaining streusel.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out clean. Cool 10 - 15 minutes in the pan; removes sides of the pan and complete cooling on a rack.

5. In a small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients; blend until smooth. Drizzle over coffee cake.

** if you wish to serve this coffee cake warm for your guests, do not allow to cool on a rack. Remove from the baking pan, drizzle with glaze and serve.