Coffee Cake

coffee cake

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Coffee cake is the ultimate cozy treat. With its tender, buttery crumb and sweet cinnamon swirl, it’s the kind of bake that feels right at home on a breakfast table, at brunch, or served with an afternoon cup of tea. Topped with a crunchy streusel and bursting with warm spice, this classic recipe is everything a coffee cake should be—moist, flavorful, and delightfully nostalgic. And best of all? It’s simple enough to whip up anytime you need something comforting and impressive.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

coffee cake this recipe
  • ☕ Perfect with coffee or tea – Just sweet enough to enjoy morning or night
  • 🍰 Cinnamon swirl inside – A cozy surprise in every bite
  • 🧈 Buttery and moist – Thanks to yogurt (or sour cream) for added tenderness
  • 👩‍🍳 Beginner-friendly – Easy mixing, no fancy tools required
  • 🧁 Crumble topping – The golden, sugary crunch makes this next level
  • 🎁 Shareable – Makes a big batch for gatherings, gifting, or freezing

Ingredients

Cinnamon Filling:

  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon

Crumb Topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup cane sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Cake Batter:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep
    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment or butter.
  2. Make Filling & Topping
    • Mix filling ingredients in one bowl.
    • For the topping, combine all dry ingredients and stir in melted butter with a fork until clumpy. Set both aside.
  3. Make the Cake Batter
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in yogurt and vanilla.
    • Add dry ingredients gradually and mix just until combined (don’t overmix).
  4. Assemble the Cake
    • Spread half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly on top.
    • Gently spread the remaining batter over the filling. Top with crumb mixture.
  5. Bake
    • Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
    • Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temp.

Recipe Details

coffee cake
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
  • Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
  • Servings: 15–18 slices

Nutrition Facts (Per slice – Approximate)

  • Calories: 310
  • Fat: 14g
  • Carbs: 41g
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Sodium: 180mg

Tips & Variations

  • Yogurt vs. sour cream: Both work—use whichever you have!
  • Add-ins: Chopped walnuts or pecans in the topping add crunch
  • Swirl flavors: Try cocoa powder or espresso in place of cinnamon for a twist
  • Mini versions: Bake in muffin tins for portable treats
  • Storage: Keeps 2–3 days covered at room temp. Freezes well for up to 2 months
coffee cake

Coffee Cake

A moist and tender coffee cake swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with buttery crumble. A cozy treat for mornings and more.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 15
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • #### Filling
  • – ¼ cup brown sugar
  • – ¼ cup cane sugar
  • – 1½ tsp cinnamon
  • #### Topping
  • – 1 cup flour
  • – ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • – ⅓ cup cane sugar
  • – 1 tsp cinnamon
  • – ¼ tsp salt
  • – 6 tbsp butter melted
  • #### Cake Batter
  • – 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • – 2 tsp baking powder
  • – ½ tsp baking soda
  • – ½ tsp salt
  • – ½ cup butter softened
  • – 1 cup cane sugar
  • – 3 eggs
  • – 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • – 2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • – Hand mixer
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9×13 pan.
  2. Mix filling ingredients. In separate bowl, make topping by mixing dry ingredients and adding melted butter.
  3. Cream butter & sugar. Beat in eggs, yogurt, vanilla.
  4. Stir in dry ingredients to form batter.
  5. Layer half batter, filling, remaining batter. Add topping.
  6. Bake 45–50 mins. Cool and serve.

Notes

– Use sour cream or yogurt
– Add nuts to topping for crunch
– Keeps 2–3 days or freezes well

FAQs

Does this cake have coffee in it?
Nope! Coffee cake is meant to be served with coffee, not made from it.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes—use a plant-based butter and dairy-free yogurt substitute.

How do I know it’s done?
Insert a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Can I bake it in advance?
Definitely! Bake the day before and store tightly wrapped. Glaze (optional) just before serving.

Conclusion

A buttery crumb, cozy cinnamon swirl, and crunchy topping—this coffee cake is the real deal. It’s the kind of comforting bake you’ll come back to again and again, whether for a special brunch, casual gathering, or just a quiet moment with your morning mug. It’s simple, classic, and endlessly delicious. Once you try it, you’ll want a slice ready at all times.

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