This easy cinnamon coffee cake is soft, buttery, and tender with a delicious cinnamon streusel topping. Every bite has a cozy combination of vanilla cake, warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and a lightly crunchy crumb topping.
It’s the kind of homemade cake that’s perfect with a cup of coffee in the morning, but you don’t have to wait until breakfast to enjoy it. Serve it for brunch, afternoon coffee, or whenever you want an easy homemade treat.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Soft and tender cake
- Buttery cinnamon streusel topping
- Perfect for breakfast or brunch
- Delicious with coffee or tea
- Great for holidays and family gatherings
- Can be made ahead
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
For the Cinnamon Streusel
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper if desired.
Leave a little parchment hanging over two sides to make the finished cake easier to lift from the pan.
2. Make the Cinnamon Streusel
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Pour in the melted butter.
Use a fork to mix everything together until coarse crumbs form.
The mixture should have a crumbly texture rather than becoming a smooth dough.
Set the streusel aside while you prepare the cake batter.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Set aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and creamy.
This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
5. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
6. Add the Sour Cream and Milk
Add about half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Mix gently.
Add the sour cream and milk, then add the remaining dry ingredients.
Mix just until the batter comes together.
Don’t overmix.
The batter should be thick and creamy.
7. Layer the Cake
Spread approximately half of the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Use a spatula to gently smooth the surface.
Sprinkle about half of the cinnamon streusel evenly over the batter.
Add the remaining cake batter and carefully spread it over the streusel.
Finish with the remaining cinnamon streusel.
Try to distribute the crumbs evenly across the top.
8. Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
The coffee cake is ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Avoid overbaking because it can make the cake dry.
9. Cool
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 to 20 minutes.
If using parchment paper, carefully lift the cake from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack.
Allow it to cool further before slicing.
10. Add the Optional Glaze
If you’d like a little extra sweetness, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Drizzle the glaze lightly over the cooled coffee cake.
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing.
What Makes Coffee Cake Different?
Despite the name, traditional American coffee cake doesn’t necessarily contain coffee.
It’s called coffee cake because it’s commonly served alongside coffee or tea.
The defining feature is usually a sweet crumb or streusel topping, often made with cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, and flour.
Tips for the Best Coffee Cake
Use softened butter. Soft butter creams more easily with the sugar and helps create a tender cake.
Don’t overmix the batter. Mix only until the ingredients are combined.
Use full-fat sour cream. It adds moisture and richness to the cake.
Make plenty of streusel. The cinnamon crumb topping is one of the best parts of this recipe.
Don’t overbake. Start checking the cake around 40 minutes.
Let it cool before slicing. The crumb becomes more stable as the cake cools.
Can I Make This Coffee Cake Without Sour Cream?
Yes.
Plain full-fat Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream.
You can also use plain yogurt, although the final texture may be slightly different.
Can I Add Nuts?
Absolutely.
Chopped pecans or walnuts are delicious in the cinnamon streusel.
Add about 1/2 cup chopped nuts to the streusel mixture before sprinkling it over the cake.
Easy Variations
Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Add 1 cup of peeled and finely diced apples to the cake batter.
Apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady work well.
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Gently fold 1 cup of fresh blueberries into the batter.
The berries add moisture and a naturally sweet flavor.
Pecan Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Add chopped pecans to the streusel for extra crunch and a rich nutty flavor.
Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
Fold 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the cake batter.
Maple Coffee Cake
Replace part of the glaze milk with maple syrup and drizzle it over the cooled cake.
How to Store Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Allow the coffee cake to cool completely.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
Bring refrigerated slices to room temperature or warm them gently before serving.
Can I Freeze Coffee Cake?
Yes.
Cut the cooled cake into individual portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap.
Place the wrapped pieces into a freezer-safe bag or container.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make It Ahead?
Yes.
The cake can be baked a day ahead and stored tightly covered at room temperature.
For the freshest texture, add the optional glaze shortly before serving.
You can also prepare the streusel a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my coffee cake dry?
Overbaking is one of the most common causes of dry coffee cake. Start checking the cake around 40 minutes and remove it once a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Why did my streusel sink?
If the cake batter is too thin, the streusel can sink. This recipe uses a relatively thick batter to help support the cinnamon crumb layers.
Can I use a different pan?
Yes. A 9-inch square pan can work, although the cake will be slightly thinner and may require less baking time.
Can I make this recipe in a loaf pan?
Yes, but the baking time will change depending on the size and depth of the pan. Check the center with a toothpick before removing it from the oven.
Does coffee cake contain coffee?
Traditional American coffee cake generally does not contain coffee. It’s named because it is commonly served with coffee.
Recipe Card
Easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 9
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
For the Streusel
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter to make the streusel.
- Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat softened butter and sugar until light and creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients, sour cream, and milk, mixing just until combined.
- Spread half the batter into the pan.
- Add half the streusel.
- Spread the remaining batter over the streusel.
- Finish with the remaining streusel.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle with optional glaze and serve.
Final Thoughts
This cinnamon coffee cake is the kind of recipe that makes an ordinary morning feel a little more special.
The soft buttery cake, warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and crumbly streusel make every slice comforting and satisfying. Serve it alongside a cup of coffee for a relaxed breakfast or bring it to your next brunch or family gathering.
It’s simple, cozy, and exactly the kind of homemade recipe I love keeping in my kitchen.
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy! ❤️
— Mary