Introduction
Coffee Cake is a classic, heartwarming treat, perfect for brunches, family gatherings, or cozy breakfasts. This tender, buttery cake, swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a crumbly streusel, delivers a warm, comforting flavor that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Presented on a white ceramic platter, dusted with powdered sugar or crowned with golden crumble, this Coffee Cake offers an inviting, homely aesthetic that elevates any occasion. This recipe provides a traditional cinnamon version, adaptable for dietary preferences, and ideal for home bakers seeking a versatile, crowd-pleasing treat that brings warmth and nostalgia to the table.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Serving (optional):
- Optional: Powdered sugar, whipped cream
- Suggested Accompaniments: Fresh berries, yogurt
- Suggested Pairings: Coffee, tea
- Suggested Aesthetic: Serve on a white ceramic platter
- Suggested Equipment: 9×13-inch baking pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, spatula, measuring cups/spoons
Step-by-Step Process
- Prepare Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, beating well. Mix in sour cream. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Make Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
- Make Streusel Topping: In another bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Add pecans if using. Taste a pinch of the streusel and adjust the sweetness with an additional 1 tbsp brown sugar or spice with 1/4 tsp cinnamon for a balanced flavor.
- Assemble Cake: Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle cinnamon filling evenly over the batter. Top with remaining batter, spreading gently. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer to a white ceramic platter, dust with powdered sugar, or garnish with whipped cream. Serve with fresh berries, yogurt, coffee, or tea.
Tips for Better Coffee Cake
- Use room-temperature butter and eggs for a smoother batter and even baking.
- Taste the streusel before sprinkling to balance sweetness and spice, as brown sugar varies.
- Spread batter evenly to avoid uneven layers; use a spatula for smooth application.
- Check doneness at 30 minutes to prevent overbaking; ovens vary.
- Use a white ceramic platter for a warm presentation that highlights the golden crumble.
- Make ahead: Prepare batter and streusel up to 1 day in advance; assemble and bake day-of.
- Cool slightly before cutting for clean slices.
- Enhance aesthetic: Present on a white ceramic platter with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a cozy, inviting look.
Variations and Customization
- Vegan Coffee Cake: Replace butter with vegan margarine, eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and sour cream with vegan sour cream or coconut yogurt.
- Gluten-Free Coffee Cake: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend; ensure baking powder is gluten-free certified.
- Low-Sugar Coffee Cake: Reduce granulated sugar to 3/4 cup and brown sugar in filling/streusel to 2 tbsp each; use a sugar substitute like stevia (adjust to taste).
- Apple Coffee Cake: Add 1 cup diced apples to the cinnamon filling for a fruity twist.
- Blueberry Coffee Cake: Fold 1 cup fresh blueberries into the batter; reduce sour cream to 3/4 cup.
- Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to the batter or streusel.
- Spiced Coffee Cake: Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp cardamom to the streusel for extra warmth.
- Nut-Free Coffee Cake: Omit pecans and replace with rolled oats or extra flour in the streusel.
Storage and Serving Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days; reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a fresh taste.
- Freeze for up to 2 months in an airtight wrap; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture; avoid keeping at room temperature for over 2 days due to the dairy content.
- Use leftovers as a base for trifles or crumble over ice cream.
- Pair with coffee or tea to complement the sweet, spiced flavor.
- Presented on a white ceramic platter with vibrant garnishes for a cozy, inviting charm.
Nutritional Information
Based on 12 servings (1 slice each):
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin A: 10% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 0% Daily Value
- Calcium: 6% Daily Value
- Iron: 8% Daily Value
Note: Values vary by brand. High in sugar; try low-sugar or vegan versions. Pair with fruit for balance.
Conclusion
This Coffee Cake recipe offers a warm, comforting treat, perfect for any occasion, transforming simple ingredients into a nostalgic classic. Its straightforward preparation and inviting presentation make it a favorite. The tender cake, spiced filling, and crumbly streusel delight every bite. It’s sure to be a cherished recipe, loved for its cozy, versatile appeal.
Coffee Cake Recipe: Warm and Comforting
Cinnamon Coffee Cake with streusel topping.
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- Cinnamon Filling:
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
- Optional: Powdered sugar whipped cream
- Suggested Pairings: Coffee berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F; grease 9x13-inch pan. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter, sugar; add eggs, vanilla, sour cream. Add dry ingredients.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon for filling.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and pecans for streusel. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
- Spread half the batter in the pan, add filling, top with remaining batter, then streusel.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick is clean. Cool 15 minutes.
- Serve on a white ceramic platter with powdered sugar, berries, and coffee.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients.
- Store at room temp for 2 days, fridge for 5 days, or freeze for 2 months.
- Try vegan or gluten-free variations.
- Pair with yogurt.
