Instructions:

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 325°F and line a muffin tin with liners.

Make Cream Cheese Swirl: Combine 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Set aside.

Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat ¾ cup butter and 1.25 cups granulated sugar until fluffy.

Add Eggs & Flavorings: Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tsp vanilla.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together 1.5 cups cake flour and ½ tsp salt.

Mix Dry & Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet, alternating with 2 tbsp buttermilk.

Fill Muffin Cups: Fill cups halfway with batter, add a dollop of cream cheese swirl, then more batter.

Make Crumb Topping: Mix ½ cup butter, ¾ cup flour, and ⅓ cup powdered sugar until crumbly.

Add Topping: Sprinkle topping over each muffin.

Bake: Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool & Serve: Let muffins cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy your Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins with Crumb Topping!