coffee cake recipe
Try this easy and delicious coffee cake recipe with a cinnamon streusel topping—perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack with your morning coffee!
Ingredients
Ingredients: What You’ll Need for the Best Coffee Cake
- Before you begin gather these simple ingredients to make a coffee cake that’s both delicious and easy to prepare. Each one plays a role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of the cake giving it structure without making it too dense.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: To help the cake rise and achieve a soft light texture.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: A bit of baking soda balances the acidity in the sour cream for a fluffy crumb.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to the flavor profile of the cake.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances out the other flavors in the cake.
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature: Butter is key to a moist cake with rich flavor.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake helping the texture stay tender.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs contribute to structure binding the ingredients together.
- 1 cup sour cream: Ensures a moist and tender cake with a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the cinnamon and butter.
For the Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed: Adds sweetness and helps create a caramelized, crunchy topping.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Works with the sugar and butter to form the perfect streusel crumble.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon ties the streusel to the flavor of the cake creating a harmonious cinnamon-sugar crunch.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold, cut into small cubes: Cold butter gives the streusel its crumbly texture and rich flavor.
Optional Garnish
- Powdered sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate sweet finish to the top of your coffee cake, enhancing its visual appeal.
- Each ingredient is carefully selected to help you bake the perfect coffee cake. From the soft moist cake to the cinnamon-streusel topping, these simple yet powerful ingredients come together to create an unforgettable treat. Enjoy assembling and baking your coffee cake—your kitchen is about to smell amazing!
Instructions
Method: How to Make the Perfect Coffee Cake
- Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to get baking! Follow these simple steps to make the best coffee cake that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the streusel topping.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Set the streusel aside and get ready to make the cake batter.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan (or a round cake pan) with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add the vanilla extract, followed by the sour cream, mixing until the batter is smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Assemble the Coffee Cake
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture over the batter.
- Add the remaining cake batter, spreading it gently to cover the streusel layer.
- Top with the rest of the streusel, ensuring an even coating across the top.
Step 4: Bake and Check for Doneness
- Bake the coffee cake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- If you notice the top is browning too quickly, cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish, if desired.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy with a fresh cup of coffee or tea!
- Following these steps will give you a coffee cake with a perfect crumb, a buttery cinnamon streusel topping, and an irresistible flavor. Enjoy the process—baking this delicious cake is as fun as eating it!
Notes
- Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 325
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Potassium: 150mg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Iron: 1mg