Coffee Cake Recipe: A Sweet, Moist, and Perfectly Spiced Delight

Why Coffee Cake is the Perfect Sweet Treat

There’s something irresistibly comforting about coffee cake. Its soft, moist crumb, warm cinnamon swirl, and the slightly sweet streusel topping make it the perfect companion for a cozy morning coffee or afternoon tea. Traditionally enjoyed with a cup of coffee, this cake is versatile enough to be served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s not overly sweet, making it just the right balance of flavors to complement your favorite hot beverage.

What makes coffee cake truly special is its simplicity. It’s a forgiving, easy-to-make cake that doesn’t require elaborate decorating skills or special ingredients. Whether you’re making it for a casual family gathering or a festive brunch, coffee cake is always a hit, and it’s the kind of treat that everyone can enjoy—coffee drinkers or not!

Essential Ingredients for Coffee Cake

For the Cake:

The cake is soft, tender, and slightly sweet. The key to a great coffee cake is the balance of wet and dry ingredients that create a light, moist texture.

For the cake, you’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for structure)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for sweetness)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened, for richness)
• 1 cup sour cream (for moisture and tang)
• 2 large eggs (for binding)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for flavor)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (to help the cake rise)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (for leavening)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance sweetness)

For the Cinnamon Streusel Topping:

The streusel topping is the star of the show. This sweet, buttery, cinnamon-infused topping adds texture and flavor, making every bite of the cake a little more indulgent.

For the streusel topping, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (for sweetness and depth)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (to help the streusel come together)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for the signature coffee cake flavor)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into small pieces)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, for crunch; walnuts or pecans work well)

For the Optional Glaze:

The glaze is an optional finishing touch that adds a nice shine and a little extra sweetness to the cake.

For the glaze, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for sweetness and smoothness)
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for flavor)

How to Make Coffee Cake

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan (or use a springform pan for a more elegant presentation). You can also line the pan with parchment paper to make removal easier after baking.

2. Make the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold, cubed butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you’re using nuts, stir them in now. Set the streusel topping aside.

3. Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step, or do it by hand if you prefer.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients (flour mixture first, sour cream last). Mix until just combined—don’t overmix or the cake may become dense.

4. Assemble the Coffee Cake

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter, then add the remaining batter and smooth it out. Top the cake with the remaining streusel mixture, ensuring it’s evenly distributed on top.

5. Bake the Coffee Cake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

6. Cool and Glaze (Optional)

Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’re using the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake for an extra touch of sweetness and shine.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Once the cake has cooled and you’ve glazed it (if desired), slice and serve! Enjoy it with your favorite coffee, tea, or hot beverage.

Tips for Perfect Coffee Cake

Use Room Temperature Ingredients

For the best texture and consistency, make sure the butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily and result in a smoother batter.

Don’t Overmix the Batter

When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter. Stir until just combined to avoid making the cake tough. A little bit of flour streaking through the batter is okay.

Make Sure Your Oven is Preheated

To ensure even baking, always preheat your oven to the correct temperature before placing the cake in. A properly preheated oven ensures that the cake cooks through evenly and rises well.

Customize Your Coffee Cake

Feel free to add different fillings or flavors to your coffee cake. You can add fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries), chocolate chips, or even apple slices for a fruity twist. Experiment with nuts in the streusel topping or in the batter for extra crunch and flavor.

Store Your Coffee Cake Properly

Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze individual slices by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw the slices at room temperature before serving.

Conclusion: Why You’ll Love Coffee Cake

Coffee cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With its rich, buttery texture, sweet cinnamon filling, and crunchy streusel topping, this cake is both comforting and delicious. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or serving it at a brunch gathering, coffee cake will always be a favorite. Plus, it’s easy to make, customizable, and can be prepared ahead of time, making it the perfect dish for busy mornings or special occasions.

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FAQs

1. Can I make coffee cake ahead of time?

Yes, coffee cake can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also make it the day before and reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven for a few minutes.

2. Can I freeze coffee cake?

Yes, you can freeze coffee cake! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

3. Can I make coffee cake without sour cream?

Yes, you can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt, buttermilk, or even crème fraîche. These alternatives will give a similar tangy flavor and moist texture to the cake.

4. Can I make this coffee cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this coffee cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking. Just make sure to also check that your baking powder is gluten-free.

5. Can I add fruit to the coffee cake?

Absolutely! You can add fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries) to the batter or as a topping. Alternatively, you can fold in diced apples, pears, or even dried fruit like raisins or cranberries.

6. Can I make coffee cake without eggs?

Yes, you can make an egg-free version of coffee cake by using an egg substitute like flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) or unsweetened applesauce (1/4 cup per egg).

7. Can I use different spices for the topping?

Yes! While cinnamon is the classic choice for the streusel topping, you can experiment with other spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice for a different flavor profile.

8. How can I make my coffee cake more moist?

To make your coffee cake extra moist, you can increase the amount of sour cream or use a combination of sour cream and buttermilk. Additionally, using butter in both the batter and streusel topping will add richness and moisture.

9. Can I add chocolate chips to the coffee cake?

Yes, adding chocolate chips to the batter or sprinkling them over the top is a great way to add extra sweetness and richness to the cake. Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a balanced flavor.

10. How do I make my coffee cake more fluffy?

For a fluffier coffee cake, make sure to sift your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, etc.) before mixing them with the wet ingredients. Additionally, don’t overmix the batter—stir just until combined to avoid dense, heavy cake.