The Perfect Classic Coffee Cake Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Baking a classic coffee cake can transport you to cozy weekend mornings with loved ones.

Warm aromas of cinnamon and butter will fill your kitchen instantly.

Soft, crumbly textures invite comfort and nostalgia in every delightful bite.

Generations have cherished this simple yet remarkable dessert for its unpretentious charm.

Layers of sweet streusel topping create a delectable contrast against moist cake beneath.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen come flooding back with each delicious forkful.

Rich flavors and easy preparation make this recipe a must-try for anyone seeking a delightful treat.

You won’t be able to resist sharing this mouthwatering creation with everyone around you.

Classic Coffee Cake to Start Your Day Right

• Savor Family Comfort: Perfect for bringing everyone together around a delicious homemade treat that feels like a warm hug.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows adding nuts, adjusting streusel thickness, or creating a personalized glaze to match your taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast Delight: Versatile cake works wonderfully for weekend brunches, morning gatherings, or casual potluck events with friends and family.
• Beginner Baker Friendly: Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable for novice bakers looking to create a professional-looking dessert without complex techniques.

Ingredients for Classic Coffee Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient that provides structure and texture to the coffee cake.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, moist cake base.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft, delicate crumb.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.
• Sour Cream: Brings moisture and a subtle tangy flavor to the cake.

• Brown Sugar, Flour, Cinnamon: Create a sweet and spicy crumbly topping that adds texture and flavor to the cake.
• Butter: Helps bind the streusel and creates a rich, crispy topping.
• Chopped Nuts: Optional ingredient that provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combine to make a simple, sweet glaze that adds extra sweetness and visual appeal.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and enhance its flavor.

How to Bake Classic Coffee Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Ready the Baking Dish

Set your oven to a toasty 350°F. Generously coat your baking pan with butter and dust with flour, ensuring no sticky spots remain.

Step 2: Create Delectable Cinnamon Crumble

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Melted butter
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Blend all ingredients in a bowl until the mixture resembles delightful, crumbly goodness. Set this magical topping aside.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cake Foundation

• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Incorporate eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Layer and Bake the Cake

Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the streusel across the surface.

Add remaining batter, smooth the top, and crown with the rest of the crumbly streusel. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean – about 35-50 minutes depending on pan size.

Allow cake to cool for at least 15 minutes.

Step 5: Optional Drizzle of Sweetness

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Whisk ingredients until silky smooth.

Drizzle over cooled cake for an extra touch of decadence.

Tips for Moist Coffee Cake

• Stop stirring the batter as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Sprinkle streusel evenly across the batter layers to ensure a consistent cinnamon-nutty flavor in every bite.
• Use the toothpick test by inserting it in the center; if it comes out clean with a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Let butter, eggs, and sour cream sit at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Keep the coffee cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week, bringing to room temperature before serving.

Flavor Variations for Coffee Cake

• Blueberry Burst: Fold fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter for a fruity punch. Sprinkle extra berries on top before adding streusel for more intense flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Dream: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter. Replace half the cinnamon in streusel with cocoa powder for a rich chocolate undertone.
• Autumn Harvest: Add diced apples and replace half the white sugar with brown sugar. Incorporate ground nutmeg and allspice into the streusel for warm seasonal notes.
• Nutty Crunch: Replace chopped nuts in streusel with a mix of pecans, almonds, and walnuts. Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their natural flavor and create extra crispiness.

Pairings That Go Well with Coffee Cake

• Savor Complementary Flavor Companions
• Brew Perfect Coffee Pairing: Select a medium-roast Colombian or Ethiopian coffee with smooth caramel undertones that mirror the cake's warmth and sweetness.
• Enhance Dairy Delight: Serve alongside cold whole milk or creamy vanilla bean yogurt to balance the cake's rich cinnamon streusel and provide a cooling contrast.
• Elevate Brunch Experience: Accompany with fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or blueberries to cut through the cake's sweetness and add a tangy, refreshing element.
• Complement Breakfast Spread: Add a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top to introduce textural complexity and nutty undertones.

Storage Tips for Classic Coffee Cake

Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

Slice the coffee cake and place individual pieces in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.

Remove frozen coffee cake from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Avoid microwaving to prevent moisture loss.

Warm individual slices in the oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, use a toaster oven to restore the cake’s original texture and keep the streusel crisp.

FAQs

• Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, Greek yogurt works perfectly as a substitute for sour cream in this coffee cake recipe. It provides similar moisture and tanginess to the batter.

• How do I know if I'm overmixing the batter?

Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a tender, soft texture.

• Is it necessary to add nuts to the streusel?

No, nuts are optional. You can skip them entirely or replace them with other mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit if you prefer.

• Can I make this coffee cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it at room temperature, covered. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight.

Classic Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake marries rich, buttery layers with a crumbly, spiced topping that dances across your palate. Warm, inviting aromas promise comfort in each delectable slice you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment at 350F (175C) and ready a 9-inch baking vessel by coating with butter and dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Craft the cinnamon streusel mixture by combining flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a compact bowl. Incorporate melted butter until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in chopped nuts for additional texture. Reserve the mixture to the side.
3. Create the cake foundation by whipping butter and sugar until the mixture appears pale and voluminous. Introduce eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract, blending until thoroughly incorporated. In a separate container, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender crumb. Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense texture.
5. Transfer half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle approximately half the streusel across the surface. Layer remaining batter and top with final streusel portion.
6. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
7. Allow cake to rest and cool for 15-20 minutes, enabling structural stability before slicing.
8. Optional: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle artfully over the cooled cake surface for enhanced sweetness.

Notes

• Perfectly prevent streusel from sinking by coating nuts and mix-ins with a light flour dusting before adding to the crumb topping.
• Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that maintains the cake’s moisture and tender crumb.
• Use room temperature ingredients, especially eggs and butter, to ensure smoother batter mixing and more even cake texture.
• Create a gluten-free alternative by replacing wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which keeps the cake’s soft structure intact.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 314 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 164 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg