There’s something undeniably comforting about a freshly baked Cinnamon Coffee Cake. The warm aroma of cinnamon fills the kitchen as the buttery streusel turns golden and crisp on top. Each bite is soft, moist, and layered with sweet cinnamon flavor that feels like a cozy hug in dessert form. Whether it’s for a quiet morning with coffee or a sweet afternoon treat, this cake is the perfect companion for any occasion.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
When the weather starts to cool, there’s nothing better than baking something warm and fragrant to make your home feel extra cozy. This Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping is one of those timeless recipes you’ll want to make over and over again. It’s simple, yet indulgent, with a soft vanilla cake base, cinnamon sugar swirl, and crumbly brown sugar streusel on top. Serve it with your favorite cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate comfort dessert.
Why This Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping Is the Best
- Soft, Moist, and Tender: The combination of butter, oil, and buttermilk gives the cake a light and fluffy texture that stays soft for days.
- Sweet Cinnamon Streusel: A buttery mix of brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon adds a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth topping.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: Not too sweet, just the right amount of warm spice and vanilla richness.
- Great for Any Time of Day: Enjoy it as a breakfast cake, afternoon snack, or comforting dessert.
- Freezer-Friendly: Keeps beautifully if you want to bake ahead and enjoy later.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake is the kind of recipe that brings people together. It’s perfect for weekend brunches, family breakfasts, or even as a sweet addition to your holiday dessert spread. It feels homey and nostalgic, yet elegant enough for guests. Pair it with a hot drink on a chilly morning, and you’ve got the perfect cozy treat.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Ingredient Notes
Cinnamon Streusel
- Soft light brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness and depth of flavor to the crumb layer.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure and a satisfying crunch to the streusel topping.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cake with warm spice and aroma.
- Melted unsalted butter: Binds the dry ingredients and creates a buttery crumble texture.
Cake Batter
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, ensuring a soft and tender crumb.
- Cornstarch: Lightens the texture, giving the cake an extra fluffy consistency.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Work together for the perfect rise.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the warm flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake extra tender and moist for days.
- White granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft crumb.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon.
- Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and keeps the cake light, soft, and fluffy.
Vanilla Glaze
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet finish over the cake.
- Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic depth to the glaze.
- Milk or heavy cream: Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Tips for Making the Best Coffee Cake
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures a smooth batter and even texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined for a tender crumb.
- Use Fresh Cinnamon: High-quality cinnamon makes a huge difference in flavor.
- Cool Before Glazing: Let the cake cool slightly before drizzling with vanilla glaze so it sets beautifully.
- Double the Streusel: If you love extra crumble, make a little more topping for an even thicker layer.
Serving Suggestions
- With a Hot Drink: Enjoy a warm slice with coffee, cappuccino, or spiced chai.
- For Brunch: Pair with scrambled eggs, fruit salad, or yogurt for a full spread.
- As Dessert: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle extra glaze for a decadent finish.
- Gift Idea: Wrap cooled slices in parchment and tie with ribbon for a homemade gift.
- Warm it Up: Microwave a slice for 10 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
A Must Try
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping is a bakery-quality treat you can easily make at home. With its tender crumb, buttery cinnamon layers, and sweet vanilla glaze, it’s a recipe that feels both nostalgic and special. One bite and you’ll understand why this cake is a favorite for mornings, holidays, and cozy weekends alike.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cinnamon Streusel
- ¾ cup 150 g soft light brown sugar
- 1 cup 120 g all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoon 85 g melted unsalted butter
Cake Batter
- 1½ cups 180 g all purpose flour
- ¼ cup 30 g cornstarch
- ¼ cup 56 g unsalted butter - room temperature
- ¼ cup 55 g unflavored vegetable oil
- ¾ cup 150 g white granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt - omit if using salted butter
- 2 large eggs - room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract/essence
- 1 cup 225 g buttermilk - room temperature
Vanilla Glaze
- ½ cup 65 g powdered sugar - also known as icing/confectioners sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract/essence
- 1 tablespoon milk - heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) if using a conventional oven. Grease an 8x8 inch square cake pan with a little butter or your favorite cake release, then line the bottom with parchment paper. Once that’s done, set it aside and get ready to b
Cinnamon Streusel
- In a bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon until everything is evenly combined and no big lumps remain.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture comes together into a crumbly texture. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you make the cake batter.
Cake Batter
- Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Give it a quick whisk or mix with a fork until everything is well combined, then set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, oil, and white sugar. Using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed, beat for about two minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until fully combined. Then mix in the vanilla and buttermilk on low speed until smooth. Don’t worry if the batter looks a little curdled, that’s completely fine! Scrape down the sides and attachments since the rest of the mixing will be done by hand.
- Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix only until you no longer see big lumps or streaks of flour. Try not to overmix the batter.
- Take the chilled streusel out of the fridge. It should have firmed up a little. Break it apart with a spoon and then your hands until it looks like coarse sand with a few small lumps throughout.
- Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle half of the streusel evenly over the batter, making sure to cover as much of the surface as possible.
- Next, spoon the remaining batter gently over the streusel. The easiest way is to place spoonfuls around the center of the pan, letting them touch so there are no gaps. Then, carefully spread the batter outward toward the edges without pressing into the streusel layer (this helps keep the layers neat). Don’t stress if it’s not perfect, it’ll still taste amazing!
- Top the cake with the rest of the streusel, spreading it evenly so there are no bare spots. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any large air bubbles.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack. Flip it again onto your serving plate so it’s right-side up and ready to enjoy!
Vanilla Glaze
- While the cake is cooling, let’s make the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until you have a smooth, pourable glaze.
- When the cake is just slightly warm to the touch (no need to wait until it’s completely cooled), drizzle the glaze over the top. Slice, serve, and enjoy every sweet bite!
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Cinnamon Coffee Cake