Easy Classic Coffee Cake Recipe: Sweet Morning Magic

Crafting a delightful classic coffee cake brings pure comfort to your morning routine.

Morning gatherings feel special with this nostalgic treat waiting on the table.

Soft crumbles of buttery cake mingle with rich cinnamon swirls that promise deliciousness in every bite.

Warm spices dance through layers of tender crumb, creating an inviting aroma that fills your kitchen.

Memories of grandmother’s baking often emerge when such a traditional dessert emerges from the oven.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical, turning an ordinary breakfast into a memorable moment.

Sharing this classic coffee cake becomes an instant celebration of sweet, homemade joy.

Why Classic Coffee Cake Is A Morning Favorite

• Customize Your Cake: Add walnuts or skip them based on your preference, making this recipe adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs.
• Impress Without Stress: Create a bakery-quality dessert with simple ingredients and basic baking skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Comfort in Every Bite: Enjoy the warm, nostalgic flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar streusel that transform a basic cake into a cozy treat.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Serve as a delightful breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings or casual get-togethers.

Everything You Need For Classic Coffee Cake

• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Milk: Contributes moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and soft cake with rich flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the cake.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the main structure of the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Flour: Creates a sweet and crumbly topping with warm spice notes.
• Walnuts: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the streusel (optional).

• Powdered Sugar, Butter, Milk: Makes a sweet drizzle to finish the cake with extra sweetness.

Steps To Bake Classic Coffee Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), getting ready for a delicious baking adventure.

Step 2: Whip Up the Wet Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, start by beating the egg into a smooth texture.

• Sugar
• Milk
• Oil
• Salt
• Vanilla

Blend everything together until the mixture looks perfectly combined and silky.

Step 3: Create the Cake Batter

Carefully spoon flour into measuring cups and pour over the wet ingredients.

Sprinkle baking powder across the flour. Gently mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix and create a tough texture.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish

Transfer the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9×9 baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 5: Craft the Streusel Topping

Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Flour
• Walnuts (optional)

Stir until the ingredients form a delectable, crumbly mixture.

Step 6: Decorate the Cake

Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly across the cake batter.

Use your finger or the end of a wooden spoon to gently poke the streusel into the batter at random spots, creating 12-18 little pockets of deliciousness.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cake into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Step 8: Add the Optional Glaze

For an extra touch of sweetness, mix butter and powdered sugar.

Add milk gradually to reach your desired drizzle consistency. Lightly drizzle the glaze over the warm cake for a final flourish.

Pro Tips For The Best Coffee Cake

• Sift flour before measuring to ensure accurate, light cake texture and prevent dense results.
• Avoid overmixing batter to keep the cake tender and prevent tough, chewy consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother blending and more even baking performance.
• Add chopped nuts to streusel for extra crunch and nutty flavor depth, but toast them first for enhanced taste.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking; moist crumbs indicate perfect moisture level.

Creative Twists On Classic Coffee Cake

• Tropical Sunrise Cake: Replace vanilla with coconut extract, swap walnuts for toasted macadamia nuts, and add shredded coconut to the streusel for a Hawaiian-inspired version.
• Chocolate Mocha Crunch: Mix cocoa powder into the cake batter, replace cinnamon with espresso powder in the streusel, and sprinkle chocolate chips on top before baking.
• Berry Bliss Cake: Fold fresh blueberries or raspberries into the batter, use almond extract instead of vanilla, and add sliced almonds to the streusel for extra crunch.
• Pumpkin Spice Comfort: Incorporate canned pumpkin puree into the batter, increase cinnamon in the streusel, and add pepitas as a nutty topping for an autumn-inspired treat.

Perfect Pairings For Classic Coffee Cake

• Pair Creamy Cappuccino: Complement the cake's sweet, buttery streusel with a rich, frothy cappuccino that echoes its warm cinnamon notes.
• Serve Cold Vanilla Milk: Refresh the palate with chilled vanilla milk, cutting through the cake's dense texture and highlighting its nutty undertones.
• Match Cinnamon Chai Latte: Enhance the cake's spicy cinnamon profile with a smooth, aromatic chai latte that deepens the warming flavors.
• Enjoy Caramel Macchiato: Balance the cake's sweetness with a layered caramel macchiato, adding depth and a luxurious coffee-infused complement.

Storing Classic Coffee Cake Without Drying Out

• Refrigerate: Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Countertop: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a crispy streusel, use the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore the cake's original texture and freshness.

FAQs For Classic Coffee Cake Fans

• What makes the streusel layer special?

The streusel adds a delightful crunch and sweet cinnamon flavor that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake texture, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

• Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?

You can replace walnuts with pecans or almonds, use plant-based milk instead of regular milk, and swap oil with applesauce for a healthier version. Just keep the measurements consistent.

• How do I know when the coffee cake is perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges, a slightly firm center, and a toothpick that comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking, which can make the cake dry.

Classic Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet crumbs of this classic coffee cake dance with cinnamon-swirled perfection, promising comfort in every delectable bite. Warm kitchen memories and rich flavor merge, inviting you to savor a slice of pure, nostalgic bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Icing Drizzle (Optional):

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon milk (extra if needed)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×9 inch baking dish with grease or parchment paper.
2. Whisk the egg in a large mixing bowl until smooth and frothy.
3. Incorporate sugar, milk, oil, salt, and vanilla extract into the egg, stirring until thoroughly blended.
4. Gently fold flour into the liquid mixture, sprinkling baking powder across the surface and mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain cake’s tender texture.
5. Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Create the streusel by melting butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then stirring in brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until well integrated.
7. Add chopped walnuts to the streusel mixture if desired.
8. Distribute the streusel uniformly across the cake batter’s surface.
9. Using fingertips or a wooden spoon handle, gently press streusel into the batter at random intervals, creating 12-18 small indentations.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with moist crumbs.
11. For optional icing, blend softened butter with powdered sugar, adjusting consistency with milk.
12. Once cake has cooled slightly, drizzle icing delicately over the top.

Notes

• Make the cake gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, maintaining the cake’s delightful flavor while creating a lower-calorie option.
• Toast the walnuts before adding to the streusel to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, rich taste profile.
• Replace traditional milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free and suitable for vegan diets.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg