Get ready to meet The BEST Coffee Cake you’ll ever make in your own kitchen! This classic treat is fluffy, tender, and packed with a buttery cinnamon streusel that melts into every bite. It’s the kind of cake that instantly fills your home with the warmest, sweetest aroma, perfect for a leisurely breakfast, a cozy snack, or an easy dessert. Whether you drizzle it with a simple glaze or enjoy it just as it is, The BEST Coffee Cake effortlessly steals the show at any gathering or family breakfast table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in The BEST Coffee Cake plays a specific role in building its irresistibly moist crumb and signature cinnamon swirl. You won’t need anything fancy, just everyday staples that create pure magic together!
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives the cake its rich flavor and ultra-tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a soft, airy crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s lift and structure.
- Sour cream: The secret to incredible moistness and a light tang – don’t skip this!
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and aroma that enhance every other flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake and streusel, ensuring the perfect bite.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Provide the lift for a fluffy, cloud-like texture.
- Salt: Balances all the sweetness and brings the flavors to life.
- Brown sugar: Brings deep, caramel notes to that dreamy cinnamon streusel.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice for swirling aroma and warmth throughout.
- Melted butter (for streusel): Creates the irresistible, crumbly topping and middle layer.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze, optional): Lends a sweet, elegant finish when drizzled on top.
- Milk (for glaze, optional): Adjusts the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make The BEST Coffee Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
First things first, set yourself up for cake success. Preheat your oven to 350°F and either grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for super easy removal. This simple prep step means you’ll never lose a corner of that irresistible cake to the pan!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, whip that softened butter together with the granulated sugar for about 2 to 3 minutes. You want the mixture to be light and fluffy—it’s all about incorporating air for a beautifully tender cake. Don’t be shy: let your hand mixer or stand mixer get to work!
Step 3: Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and creamy. The sour cream is the magic ingredient for moisture, and the vanilla rounds out the flavor perfectly.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing them separately ensures every slice of The BEST Coffee Cake is beautifully even, with no surprise bitter bites from stray leaveners or salt.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined. The trick here is not to overmix—just blend until there are no flour streaks left for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Streusel
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, flour, and melted butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly and irresistible. This is The BEST Coffee Cake’s signature swirl, and it’s worth making extra just for nibbling!
Step 7: Layer the Batter and Streusel
Spread half of the cake batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle on half of the cinnamon streusel. Add the rest of the batter and finish it all off with the remaining streusel. This layering creates a stunning swirl and that crispy top everyone can’t resist.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Pop your cake in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be beautifully golden and the kitchen will smell like pure heaven. Let it cool slightly before glazing or serving—it’s worth the wait!
Step 9: Optional Glaze
If you like, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla until smooth. Drizzle this sweet glaze generously over the barely-warm cake for a bakery-style finish. The glaze is simple, but it takes The BEST Coffee Cake completely over the top!
How to Serve The BEST Coffee Cake
Garnishes
The BEST Coffee Cake is a showstopper on its own, but a pretty finish never hurts! Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a gentle drizzle of vanilla glaze, or a scattering of toasted pecans or walnuts for that little something extra. It’s all about making it look as special as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This coffee cake shines next to your favorite hot beverage—freshly brewed coffee, a frothy cappuccino, or even creamy chai. For brunch, consider serving it with a bowl of fresh berries or a simple fruit salad for a refreshing contrast to the cozy cinnamon sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch buffet, slice your cake into small squares and arrange them on a platter with parchment between layers. Going for a more decadent dessert moment? Serve slightly warm cake slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. Individual ramekins or muffin tins can even create personal-size mini cakes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Have leftovers? Lucky you! Keep The BEST Coffee Cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just make sure to use an airtight container or wrap to keep it from drying out.
Freezing
This cake freezes like a dream. Once fully cooled, slice it and wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. The BEST Coffee Cake will stay delicious for up to 2 months—simply thaw on the counter when the craving hits!
Reheating
To get back that just-baked warmth, pop a slice into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or warm it in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. If you’ve frozen your cake, let it thaw to room temperature before reheating for best results. A warm slice is pure comfort food bliss!
FAQs
Can I make The BEST Coffee Cake in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, this cake stays moist and delicious for several days, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare it the night before, store it at room temperature, and it will be ready to wow everyone the next morning.
What’s the best way to make sure my cake stays moist?
The key is the sour cream—it ensures The BEST Coffee Cake is always tender and soft. Take care not to overbake, and store leftovers well wrapped. If you like, you can even brush the cake lightly with a bit of milk before reheating to refresh its moisture.
Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully! Just use a 9×13-inch pan and add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Keep an eye on the center with a toothpick to check for doneness.
Are there any fun variations to try?
Try adding a handful of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the streusel for a little crunch. Swapping out the glaze for a maple or espresso drizzle can create a whole new flavor vibe. You can even add a swirl of fruit preserves between the layers if you’re feeling adventurous!
Can I make this gluten-free or dairy-free?
For a gluten-free version, use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. For dairy-free, swap the butter for a vegan substitute and use plant-based sour cream. The results are slightly different, but still absolutely delightful!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a recipe that instantly feels like home and brings delight to any breakfast or coffee break, The BEST Coffee Cake is it! Friends and family will beg you for the recipe, and you’ll find yourself reaching for it time and time again. Give it a try—you just might discover your new favorite tradition!
Print
The BEST Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this delectable coffee cake with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or as a dessert, this moist and tender cake is sure to become a favorite in your home.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the cinnamon streusel:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Cake preparation: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Prepare streusel: Mix all streusel ingredients until crumbly.
- Layer and bake: Spread half of the batter in the pan, sprinkle with half of the streusel, add remaining batter, and top with remaining streusel. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Finish: Cool slightly before drizzling with glaze, if desired.
Notes
- This coffee cake is best enjoyed warm but can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
