If you’re craving something incredibly fluffy, sweetly spiced, and unfailingly comforting, you’re going to fall in love with The BEST Coffee Cake. This recipe features tender layers of buttery vanilla cake, a ripple of cinnamon streusel throughout, and the most tempting golden crumble on top. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday treat, it’s the kind of classic everyone should master—one that begs to be shared with friends over coffee or enjoyed warm out of the oven, fork in hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making The BEST Coffee Cake is delightfully simple, and that’s thanks to familiar ingredients coming together in just the right way. Each component deserves its place and helps create the irresistible crumb, flavor, and aroma that makes this cake unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake and streusel their signature soft and tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake’s beautiful lightness and rise.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich flavor and moist texture; using unsalted lets you control the seasoning.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add structure for a perfectly fluffy cake.
- Sour cream: The secret to an ultra-moist slice and tangy depth that keeps you coming back for more.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives that comforting bakery aroma.
- Baking powder & baking soda: This team ensures plenty of rise and keeps your cake from getting dense.
- Salt: Just a touch, to enhance every sweet and spicy flavor in the pan.
- Brown sugar: The heart of the streusel—deep, caramel-like notes that melt right into the cake.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds cozy warmth and classic coffee cake flavor, front and center in the streusel.
- Powdered sugar (optional glaze): For the simplest, dreamiest finishing drizzle.
- Milk (for glaze): Helps turn powdered sugar into a pourable, glossy glaze.
How to Make The BEST Coffee Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, then dust it with a little flour. This helps ensure your precious coffee cake comes out beautifully golden and never sticks!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining them first means you get an even rise and a tender crumb in every bite—no dry patches or lumps.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This crucial step whips in air, which is a big reason your cake bakes up soft and moist.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then blend in the sour cream and vanilla extract until your batter looks smooth and creamy. The sour cream is the secret ingredient for moisture and richness—the true hallmark of The BEST Coffee Cake.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet, stirring gently until just combined. This keeps your cake tender and prevents overmixing, which can make it tough.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Streusel
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and melted butter. Use a fork to mix until you have a crumbly, fragrant streusel. For extra crunch, feel free to toss in half a cup of chopped nuts.
Step 7: Assemble the Cake
Spread half the cake batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon streusel. Add the remaining batter, then finish with the rest of the streusel for a beautifully marbled, sweet-spiced topping.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Pop your pan into the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is ready when the top is richly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool slightly so you don’t burn your tongue—trust me, the aroma makes waiting a true test of patience.
Step 9: Finish with Optional Glaze
If you’re a fan of a little extra sweetness and shine, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla to make a simple glaze. Drizzle it over the slightly cooled cake for a bakery-style finish that’s impossible to resist.
How to Serve The BEST Coffee Cake
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra cinnamon, a handful of chopped pecans, or even a pinch of powdered sugar makes each square of The BEST Coffee Cake feel special. A drizzle of the optional vanilla glaze turns it from everyday treat to showstopper. Don’t forget a piping hot cup of your favorite coffee or tea on the side—total bliss!
Side Dishes
Pair your coffee cake with a fresh fruit salad for a bright counterpoint, creamy Greek yogurt for a hint of tartness, or even a light omelet if you’re enjoying it for brunch. Its gentle sweetness means it can flex from dessert plate to breakfast table with ease.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, cut the cake into small squares and serve on a pretty platter dusted with powdered sugar. You can layer slices with berries and whipped cream parfait-style for a gorgeous dessert, or wrap single pieces in parchment for a sweet on-the-go snack—make The BEST Coffee Cake fit your mood!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep extra slices of The BEST Coffee Cake fresh by covering the pan tightly with foil or transferring the pieces to an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, it stays soft and moist for up to three days—if there’s any left that long!
Freezing
Coffee cake is a freezer’s best friend. Cool the cake completely, wrap individual pieces or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil, and freeze for up to three months. It thaws beautifully, making it an ideal make-ahead treat for unexpected guests or cozy mornings.
Reheating
To enjoy warm, just pop a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds, or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. The streusel topping gets deliciously fragrant again, and the cake tastes freshly baked!
FAQs
Can I add nuts or fruit to the batter?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans work especially well in the streusel or sprinkled into the batter. Fresh blueberries or diced apples make lovely additions too, adding a pop of flavor and extra moisture.
How do I prevent the cake from drying out?
The sour cream helps keep The BEST Coffee Cake moist, but be careful not to overbake. Test for doneness early by inserting a toothpick into the center—pull the cake out as soon as it comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt (full-fat is best) makes a terrific substitute for sour cream here, with the same tender, tangy results in your coffee cake.
Does The BEST Coffee Cake taste better warm or at room temperature?
It’s hard to pick! Warm, it’s pillowy soft with melty streusel, but room temperature is perfect for packing up or serving at a party, with flavors that develop over time. You really can’t go wrong!
How do I make The BEST Coffee Cake gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your baking powder is labeled gluten-free too—the texture stays amazingly tender, and friends with dietary needs will be so grateful!
Final Thoughts
If ever there was a recipe worth repeating, it’s The BEST Coffee Cake. The magic of soft crumb, buttery layers, and cinnamon-sugar perfection is just too good not to share. Give this a try the next time you want to delight your loved ones—it might just become your new signature bake!
Print
The BEST Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate coffee cake experience with this easy and delicious recipe. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this moist and flavorful cake topped with a cinnamon streusel is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Cinnamon Streusel:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Optional Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Cream butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, then add sour cream and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and melted butter to create streusel.
- Spread half the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with half the streusel, then add the remaining batter and top with remaining streusel.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before drizzling with optional glaze.
Notes
- For added texture, fold ½ cup chopped nuts into the streusel.
- This cake stays moist for several days and freezes well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Sugar: ~27 g
- Sodium: ~210 mg
- Fat: ~14 g
- Saturated Fat: ~8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~44 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~4 g
- Cholesterol: ~65 mg
