Blueberry and Cheese Coffee Cake

Shonda made this delectable recipe the evening they invited our family for dinner.  It was beautiful and tasty!  She found it on Pinterest (of course!) and shared the original link with me.  I am posting it here as well since this serves as my own online recipe book.  I never lose the recipes that I post here! :)

Blueberry and Cheese Coffee Cake

For the cake

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ¼ cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

¾ cup milk

¼ cup water

2 cups fresh blueberries

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, cut into ¼ inch cubes

For the topping

½ cup all purpose flour

½ cup sugar

2 Tbsp. lemon zest

2 Tbsp. butter, softened

For the blueberry sauce

2 cups fresh blueberries

½ cup water

½ cup sugar

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp. cornstarch, mixed with 2 Tbsp. cold water

½ tsp. vanilla extract

zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9x9 baking pan.  In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well blended.  In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; whisk together.  In a small bowl combine milk with water and mix well.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk mixture; beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Mix at low speed until well blended.  Gently stir in blueberries and cream cheese.  Pour into prepared pan.  

To make the topping - In a small bowl combine all ingredients and cut together with a fork to form crumbs.  Sprinkle over batter.  Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.  

For the sauce - In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine the blueberries, ½ cup water, sugar, and lemon juice.  Bring to a low boil stirring frequently.  In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 2 Tbsp. cold water.  Slowly stir the corn starch mixture into the blueberries.  Simmer until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and lemon zest.  Can be served warm or cooled.