Who doesn’t love a warm, cinnamon-scented coffee cake fresh from the oven? This coffee cake recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, with a buttery streusel and tender texture that’ll impress everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this easy guide will walk you through every step to create a delicious coffee cake at home.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Coffee Cake Special?
Coffee cake is a classic sweet treat, ideal with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Unlike regular cakes, it’s less sweet and features a signature streusel on top, made with brown sugar and cinnamon. Its versatility makes it ideal for cozy mornings or festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This coffee cake recipe stands out for its simplicity and rich flavor. Sour cream creates a soft,moist texture (learn why from King Arthur Baking), while the cinnamon filling adds warm, comforting taste. Plus, it’s customizable—add fruits or nuts to make it your own!
Ingredients for the Perfect Coffee Cake
Before you preheat the oven to 350°F, gather these ingredients to bake a 9×13-inch coffee cake. Using room-temperature items ensures a smooth batter, so plan ahead:
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Essential Tools for Baking
You don’t need fancy equipment to make this coffee cake recipe. Basic kitchen tools will do the trick. Here’s what to have on hand:
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Lightly coat your baking pan with butter or use parchment paper for easy removal.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Coffee Cake
Follow these steps to create a coffee cake that’s golden, crumbly, and delicious. Each step is designed for clarity, so you’ll feel confident even if you’re new to baking.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat your baking pan with butter or use parchment paper for easy removal. This ensures your cake releases easily after baking.
Step 2: Make the Crumb Topping
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until the blend creates rough, crumbly bits. Set this aside—it’s the streusel on top that makes coffee cake irresistible.
Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl
Mix ⅓ cup brown sugar with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This simple blend will create a flavorful swirl inside the cake. Set it aside for layering.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt. Combining these dry ingredients first ensures even distribution in the batter.
Step 5: Cream the Butter and Sugar
With a stand or hand mixer, cream ½ cup softened butter and 1 cup sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This step adds air to the batter, making your cake tender.
Step 6: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs individually, blending well after each addition. Then, mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Adding eggs gradually prevents the batter from curdling, ensuring a smooth texture.
Step 7: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. Then, stir in the sour cream, followed by the remaining flour mixture. Mix until just combined—overmixing can make the cake dense.
Step 8: Assemble the Cake
Spread half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over it. Top with the remaining batter, spreading carefully. Finish by scattering the crumb topping over the surface.
Step 9: Bake and Cool
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle is clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a rack or serving directly.
Tips for a Moist and Flavorful Coffee Cake
Follow these tips to make your coffee cake a crowd-pleaser:
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Allow ingredients to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before beginning.
- Don’t Skip the Sour Cream: It adds moisture and a slight tang, making the cake tender. Greek yogurt works as a substitute if needed.
- Customize the Topping: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch, or swap cinnamon for nutmeg for a twist.
- Check Your Oven: Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Variations to Try
This coffee cake recipe is versatile, so you can adapt it to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Here are some popular variations:
Fruit-Infused Coffee Cake
Mix 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit, such as blueberries or chopped apples, into the batter before layering, or try our apple coffee cake for a fruity twist. Fold them gently to avoid crushing. This brings a vibrant taste and gives the cake a lively feel.
Gluten-Free Coffee Cake
Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix.or explore our gluten-free chocolate cake for another delicious option. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free, too. The cake stays tender and flavorful.
Vegan Coffee Cake
Replace butter with vegan margarine, eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and sour cream with coconut yogurt. The cake stays tender and flavorful.
How to Store Your Coffee Cake
Wondering how to keep your coffee cake fresh? Proper storage is key to enjoying it for days. Here’s how:
- At Room Temperature: Keep in a sealed container for up to 3 days. The crumb topping stays crisp this way.
- Refrigerator: If you add fruit or cream cheese, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let the cake sit until it’s at room temperature before you slice and serve it.
- Freezer: Wrap securely in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Why Coffee Cake Isn’t Just for Coffee
Despite its name, coffee cake doesn’t contain coffee—it’s meant to pair with it. Its buttery streusel and cinnamon layer pair wonderfully with tea, hot cocoa, or milk. Serve it at brunch, as a dessert, or as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays.
Perfect Occasions for Coffee Cake
This cake shines at various events:
- Breakfast or Brunch: Pair with coffee for a cozy morning.
- Holiday Gatherings: Its shareable size suits Christmas or Easter tables.
- Potlucks or Gatherings: Simple to carry and enjoyed by all.
- Gift Giving: Wrap slices in decorative bags for a heartfelt present.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple recipes can go awry. Here are pitfalls to watch out for:
- Avoid Cold Ingredients: Chilled butter or eggs can cause a lumpy batter.
- Overmixing the Batter: Mix just until ingredients combine to keep the cake light.
- Skipping the Swirl: The cinnamon layer adds flavor depth—don’t leave it out.
- Overbaking: Check at 30 minutes to avoid a dry cake.
Pairing Suggestions for Your Coffee Cake
To make your coffee cake experience even better, consider these pairings:
- Beverages: Coffee (of course!), chai tea, or a creamy latte.
- Sides: Fresh fruit like strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Topping: Drizzle a vanilla icing (mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tbsp milk, and ½ tsp vanilla) for extra sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Coffee Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes! Prepare the cake a day ahead and keep it in a sealed container. For longer prep, freeze the unbaked batter in the pan, then bake from frozen, adding 5–10 minutes to the baking time.
How Does Coffee Cake Differ from Crumb Cake?
Coffee cake typically has a cinnamon swirl inside and streusel on top, while crumb cake focuses heavily on a thick crumb topping. Both are delicious, but this recipe balances both elements perfectly.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Unlike many recipes online, this coffee cake recipe combines ease with professional results, much like our vanilla cake recipe. The sour cream ensures a moist texture, the double cinnamon flavor (swirl and topping) adds depth, and the clear instructions make it accessible for all skill levels. Based on techniques from trusted sources like Sally’s Baking Addiction, this recipe has been tested for reliability.
Enhancing Your Blog Post with Additional Research
To make your article even more robust, consider exploring these sources for inspiration or data:
- Web Search: Look for trending coffee cake variations on sites like Allrecipes or Food Network. Search for “coffee cake recipe variations 2025” to find fresh ideas.
- X Platform: Check X for user posts about coffee cake recipes or baking tips. Use hashtags like #CoffeeCakeRecipe or #Baking to find real-time feedback from home bakers.
These sources can provide unique insights, such as new flavor trends or reader preferences, to make your post stand out.
Conclusion: Bake Your Best Coffee Cake Today
This coffee cake recipe is your ticket to a crowd-pleasing treat that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. With its buttery streusel, warm cinnamon layer, and moist texture, it’s perfect for any occasion. Try it today, and share your results below—did you add fruit or keep it classic? Happy baking
Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
For the Crumb Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
- Make Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until rough, crumbly bits form. Set aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup brown sugar with 1 tbsp cinnamon. Set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs individually, blending well after each. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low. Stir in the sour cream, then add the remaining flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Assemble Cake: Spread half the batter in the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over it. Top with remaining batter, spreading carefully. Scatter crumb topping over the surface.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle is clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Room-Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, eggs, and sour cream sit at room temperature for 30 minutes for a smoother batter.
- Sour Cream Substitute: Use Greek yogurt if sour cream is unavailable for similar moisture and tang.
- Customizations: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the crumb topping for crunch or swap cinnamon for nutmeg.
- Storage: Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 3 days, refrigerate for 5 days, or freeze for 3 months.
- Fruit-Infused: Add 1 cup blueberries or chopped apples to the batter before layering for a vibrant taste.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix and gluten-free baking powder for a dietary-friendly version.
- Vegan: Substitute butter with vegan margarine, eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and sour cream with coconut yogurt.
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 4g
