Looking for a delicious and comforting treat to enjoy with your morning coffee? Look no further than this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping! This recipe combines the warmth of cinnamon with a soft, moist cake and a buttery, crunchy streusel topping. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack, this coffee cake will quickly become a household favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Coffee Cake
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe is perfect for anyone who enjoys the sweet and spicy flavors of cinnamon. The combination of tender cake, aromatic cinnamon swirl, and crumbly streusel topping creates a delightful contrast in textures. Not only is it a treat for your taste buds, but it’s also an easy-to-make recipe that doesn’t require advanced baking skills.
Key Ingredients for Cinnamon Coffee Cake
To make this mouthwatering cinnamon coffee cake, you’ll need simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- For the cake:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Ground cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- For the streusel topping:
- Brown sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Cinnamon
- Butter
This cake comes together effortlessly, and it’s a great option for beginners who want to bake something delicious without too much hassle.
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping Start by making the streusel topping. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon. Add the softened butter and mix until you have a crumbly texture. Set the streusel aside while you prepare the cake batter.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth.
Step 3: Layer the Cake Pour half of the cake batter into a greased cake pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon sugar or cinnamon swirl over the batter. Add the remaining batter on top, and then finish with the streusel crumb topping, spreading it evenly across the top.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the coffee cake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving, so the flavors can meld together.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Once cooled, slice the coffee cake into squares and serve it with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or milk. The combination of the tender cake, cinnamon swirl, and crunchy streusel topping makes each bite irresistible.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- For a more pronounced cinnamon flavor, you can increase the amount of cinnamon in both the cake batter and the streusel topping.
- Ensure your butter is softened for the streusel topping, so it combines smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Add nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping.
- Check for doneness: Since ovens vary, start checking the cake for doneness around 30 minutes. If the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, it’s time to take it out.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of the cinnamon and streusel topping makes this coffee cake a delightful treat, perfect for any occasion. The moist cake holds up well with the slightly crunchy topping, creating an irresistible contrast in texture. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or a cozy afternoon tea.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping is a must-try. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and guaranteed to become a family favorite. Enjoy it as a sweet start to your day or as a treat to share with friends. Don’t forget to savor every bite with a hot cup of coffee!
Serving and Storage Tips for Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping is not only a delicious treat but also incredibly versatile when it comes to serving and storing. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your coffee cake is enjoyed at its best!
Serving Tips
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve this coffee cake warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful snack with your afternoon coffee or tea.
- Pair with a Hot Beverage: The cinnamon flavor and crumbly texture of the cake pair beautifully with hot drinks like coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate. For an added touch, serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-worthy treat.
- Add Fresh Fruit: For a more refreshing side, serve the coffee cake with fresh berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. These fruits complement the sweetness and cinnamon spice of the cake perfectly.
- Garnish for Extra Appeal: You can sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the top of the cooled coffee cake or drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk for an extra layer of sweetness.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to consume the coffee cake within a couple of days, simply store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent it from drying out.
- Refrigeration: If you want to store the coffee cake for a longer period, it can be refrigerated. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This will help it stay fresh for up to a week. However, keep in mind that refrigeration may slightly alter the texture, making it a bit denser.
- Freezing for Longer Storage: For longer storage, freeze the cinnamon coffee cake. After cooling completely, wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen coffee cake can last up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes to restore its freshness.
- Reheating Tips: When reheating, you can microwave individual slices for 20–30 seconds or warm the entire cake in the oven. If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw completely before warming up.
Serving Tip for Special Occasions
For a festive touch, consider making this coffee cake a part of your holiday or special occasion spread. Its comforting flavors and beautiful appearance make it a great addition to gatherings, celebrations, or as a homemade gift for loved ones.
With these simple serving and storage tips, you can enjoy this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping for days, whether fresh or stored for later indulgence!
1. Can I make this Cinnamon Coffee Cake ahead of time? Yes! This coffee cake can be made a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and it will stay fresh. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it or freeze it, as mentioned in the storage tips above.
2. Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe? Absolutely! You can make a few adjustments to suit your preferences or dietary needs. For example:
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine or oil, and use non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk.
- Egg-free: Replace eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water) or a store-bought egg replacer.
3. How can I make the cinnamon swirl more prominent? To enhance the cinnamon swirl, you can increase the amount of cinnamon sugar or cinnamon filling inside the cake. Try adding a bit more cinnamon to the batter or even layering the cinnamon sugar in between the layers of batter before adding the streusel topping.
4. Can I add nuts to the streusel topping? Yes! Adding chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the streusel topping is a great way to add extra crunch and flavor. Simply mix them into the streusel mixture before sprinkling it on top of the cake.
PrintCinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Crumb Topping
This cinnamon coffee cake is a tender, buttery cake layered with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and topped with a crunchy streusel crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon sugar swirl:
- 1/3 cup (70 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the streusel crumb topping:
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the cake batter:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Make the cinnamon sugar swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together.
- Layer the cake:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top and spread it carefully to cover the cinnamon layer.
- Prepare the streusel crumb topping:
- In a bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms large, crumbly clumps. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve:
- Allow the coffee cake to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Add chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) to the crumb topping for extra texture.
- Substitute the cinnamon sugar swirl with a thin layer of jam for a fruity twist.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.