This Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is the perfect sweet, soothing dessert that will get everyone to the table.
It smells like a warm hug and tastes much better.
The crumb is soft and buttery, the cinnamon swirl is like magic, and the streusel on top is just right. Don’t even get me started; it’s the best part! I’ve cooked this coffee cake recipe for lazy weekend mornings, playdates, and even holiday brunches, and it always gets rave reviews.
It goes great with coffee for adults and a long glass of milk for kids.
Let’s start baking! I promise that this cake will make your house smell like a bakery in the best way possible.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, 2 cups
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of soft, unsalted butter
- 1 cup of sugar in granules
- Two big eggs
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar, well packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup of chilled, diced unsalted butter
Tools Needed
- Two to three mixing bowls
- Spoons and cups for measuring
- Mixer for your hand or stand
- 9-inch round or square baking dish
- Spatula
- Toothpick
Directions
- Get the pan ready and preheat the oven.
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use butter or nonstick spray to grease your 9-inch pan. - Combine the dry ingredients
In a larger basin, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Put aside. - Mix the sugar and butter together.
In a big bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy (approximately 2–3 minutes). - Add the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream.
Add one egg at a time, mixing after each one. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla until the mixture is smooth. - Mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet components until they are completely mixed together. Don’t combine too much! - Prepare the filling with cinnamon.
Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small dish to make the filling. - Put the cake together
Put half of the batter in the pan. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the batter. Put the rest of the batter on top. - Prepare the Streusel Topping
Use your fingers or a fork to mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chilled butter in a different small bowl until the mixture is crumbly. Spread equally over the top of the batter.
- Bake
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Before cutting, let the cake cool in the pan for about ten minutes.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This makes sure that the batter mixes together really well!
- Sour cream is what makes the cake particularly moist and soft, so don’t skip it.
- Use Your Hands for the Streusel: To get the perfect crumbly texture, mix the butter into the topping with your fingers.
- Put It Together: Make sure the cinnamon filling is spread out evenly so that every bite has that comfortable swirl.
- Bake Until Golden: Put a toothpick in the middle to see whether it is done. You’re good to go if it comes out clean!
Substitutions & Variations
- No sour cream? You can use plain Greek yogurt instead.
- Is there no more brown sugar? For a similar taste, mix granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses.
- Want some nuts? For added crunch, add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping.
- Make it free of gluten: Use gluten-free baking flour in a 1:1 ratio.
Storage & Serving
You can bake this coffee cake the night before and reheat pieces in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to make them taste fresh out of the oven. It keeps moist for 1 to 2 days. You may also freeze it without frosting for up to two months and then let it thaw at room temperature.
You can keep leftover cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. Put it in the fridge for up to a week to keep it fresh longer. Reheat slices in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Final Thoughts
Let’s make this together! I can’t wait for you to taste our Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake.
It will be a hit whether you cook it for a nice breakfast on the weekend or as a special gift for friends.
Let me know how it worked out when you make it by leaving a comment.