There’s something magical about a warm slice of coffee cake on a crisp fall morning. The scent of cinnamon swirling through the kitchen, the buttery crumb melting in your mouth, and that delicate crumble topping it’s comfort food at its finest. Whether you’re hosting brunch, sharing dessert with friends, or simply craving something cozy with your cup of tea or coffee, The BEST Coffee Cake is your go-to recipe.
This cake has become a reader favorite for a reason: it’s soft, moist, and packed with warm flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, it’s easy enough for beginners and endlessly adaptable to fit your taste or dietary needs.
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The BEST Coffee Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings
Description
This soft, buttery coffee cake is layered with a rich cinnamon swirl and topped with a crumbly streusel. Perfect for fall mornings, brunches, or cozy evenings with tea or coffee—it’s easy, adaptable, and always a hit.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (for cinnamon swirl)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for streusel)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for streusel)
- Pinch of salt (for streusel)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and sour cream until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
- Pour half of the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon swirl evenly over the batter. Top with remaining batter and smooth out.
- For the streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Don’t overmix to keep the cake soft. Chill streusel topping if your kitchen is warm. Add nuts or fruit for variation, and store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
🍰 Ingredients for The BEST Coffee Cake
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this comforting treat. Most ingredients are pantry staples perfect for spontaneous weekend baking.
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
🧁 How to Make The BEST Coffee Cake – Step by Step
You’ll love how easy this recipe is to put together. No mixer needed just a few bowls, a whisk, and your favorite baking pan.
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
- Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix.
Step 3: Mix the Cinnamon Swirl
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
Step 4: Layer the Cake
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter.
- Top with the remaining batter and gently smooth it out with a spatula.
Step 5: Make the Streusel Topping
- Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly.
- Sprinkle evenly over the cake.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Tips for Coffee Cake Success
Even if you’re a beginner baker, these tips will help you make a bakery-worthy coffee cake:
- Use room temperature ingredients – This ensures your batter mixes evenly.
- Don’t overmix the batter – A light hand keeps the cake soft and tender.
- Chill your streusel topping – If your kitchen is warm, pop it in the fridge before baking to keep the crumble nice and crisp.
- Test for doneness – Every oven is different, so check your cake at 40 minutes with a toothpick.
✨ Variations to Make It Your Own
The beauty of The BEST Coffee Cake is that it’s easily adaptable to fit your lifestyle and cravings.
Gluten-Free Option
- Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure.
Add Nuts
- Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for a delightful crunch.
Cream Cheese Swirl
- Drop small dollops of sweetened cream cheese into the batter and swirl before baking for a decadent twist.
Berry Burst
- Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before layering for a fruity spin.
🧊 How to Store and Reheat Coffee Cake
This coffee cake stores beautifully, which makes it great for prepping ahead of time.
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 5 days. Bring to room temp or warm slightly before serving.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
Pro tip: Serve it slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple glaze for an extra treat!
🍂 Final Thoughts
There’s a reason this recipe is called The BEST Coffee Cake because it truly delivers that nostalgic, cozy flavor we all crave. From the rich cinnamon swirl to the crumbly streusel topping, each bite is soft, warm, and just sweet enough. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any fall morning or a sweet reward after a long day.
Try it once, and you’ll come back to it again and again just like so many readers already have.