Black Berry Cream Cheese Cake

The day started off rather gloomy and then turned to a steady downpour. But not before my Shepherd and I got in a picking of Blackberries..... This recipe is one I have pulled from a friend of a friend's of a friend's who runs a B & B. I can see why this made the menu...I am keeping it for my B & B Cookbook.

Streusel Topping: 1/3 cup (45 grams) all purpose white flour 1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated white sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup (56 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces Cream Cheese Filling: 8 ounce package (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (peel) 1 tablespoon all purpose flour Cake Batter: 1 cup (140 grams) all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup (56 grams) (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk 1 cup fresh blackberries, raspberries or blueberries or 1/2 cup raspberry preserves Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Butter a 9 inch (23 cm) spring form pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside. For streusel topping: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside. For cream cheese filling: Beat the cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and beat until very smooth. Set aside. For cake batter: In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Add the flour mixture, alternately with the milk, and beat only until combined. Spread the batter onto the bottom, and slightly up the sides, of the prepared pan. Next, spread the cream cheese filling over the cake batter. Scatter the fresh berries over the filling and top with the streusel. Bake for about 60 to 70 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 8 - 10 servings