Irresistibly Fluffy Coffee Cake Recipe for Morning Magic

Rich, aromatic coffee cake beckons with its irresistible comfort and nostalgic warmth.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a delightful morning indulgence that enhances ordinary moments into special memories.

Buttery layers intertwine with sweet, crumbly streusel, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and vanilla weave through the cake, elevating its humble origins to a gourmet experience.

Home bakers love how this classic treat comes together with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Versatile and forgiving, this recipe welcomes both novice and experienced cooks to create something truly memorable.

Coffee Cake That’s Sweet, Tender, and Always Welcome

• Swirl Sensational Streusel: The homemade streusel with crunchy walnuts and warm cinnamon creates an irresistible texture contrast that transforms an ordinary cake into a bakery-worthy treat.
• Quick Comfort Companion: This simple coffee cake requires minimal preparation time and basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous baking moments or quick morning breakfast indulgences.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Flexible recipe allows for easy adaptations like adding different nuts, adjusting spices, or skipping the optional icing to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Warmly Welcoming Dessert: The soft, moist cake topped with a buttery, crumbly streusel delivers a comforting taste that feels like a warm hug, ideal for sharing with family and friends during casual gatherings.

Simple Pantry Staples for Baking Coffee Cake

• Egg: Fresh eggs provide structure and richness to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and texture.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Flour: The primary base that gives structure to the cake.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent for a light and fluffy texture.

• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and classic baking aroma.

• Brown Sugar, Butter, Cinnamon: Classic combination for a rich, sweet, and spicy crunch.
• Flour: Helps bind the streusel ingredients.
• Walnuts: Optional ingredient for extra texture and nutty flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Butter, Milk: Creates a simple, sweet glaze to finish the cake.

Step-by-Step Guide for a Moist and Crumbly Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Crank up the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab your 9×9-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• Sugar
• Milk
• Salt
• Oil
• Vanilla

Blend everything until it’s smooth and happy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle the baking powder gently over the flour. Give it a quick mix right on top of the flour, then fold the entire flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until everything is friends and well combined.

Step 4: Pour the Batter

Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 5: Create the Streusel Topping

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Flour
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix until the ingredients dance together seamlessly.

Step 6: Top and Poke the Cake

Sprinkle the streusel all over the cake batter. Use your finger or a wooden spoon handle to poke 12-18 random holes, pushing the streusel about halfway down.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cake into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out with moist crumbs, not raw batter. Avoid overbaking to keep the cake tender.

Step 8: Create Optional Icing

In a small bowl, mix butter and powdered sugar. Slowly add milk until you reach a drizzle-worthy consistency.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Let the cake cool slightly, then drizzle the icing over the warm cake if desired. Slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Tips to Achieve a Crisp Topping and Soft Crumb

• Soften Ingredients Strategically: Allow eggs and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture.
• Mix Streusel with Care: Combine streusel ingredients gently to prevent overworking, which can make the topping dense and tough instead of crumbly.
• Create Textural Variety: Randomly poke streusel into batter to create delightful pockets of cinnamon-sugar goodness throughout the cake.
• Test Doneness Precisely: Check cake with a toothpick, looking for moist crumbs rather than completely clean to maintain a tender, moist interior.
• Control Moisture Levels: Avoid overmixing batter and overbaking to preserve the cake's soft, delicate crumb and prevent dryness.

Best Way to Keep Coffee Cake Fresh and Fluffy

• Refrigerate: Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Room Temperature: Keep uncovered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place on a cake stand or plate with a loose covering to prevent staleness.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the cake's soft texture and revive the streusel's crispness.

Perfect Pairings for a Slice of Coffee Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this delectable coffee cake with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that complements its warm cinnamon notes and nutty streusel topping.
• Elevate with Creamy Beverage: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk or a smooth vanilla latte to balance the cake's sweetness and enhance its comforting texture.
• Enhance with Sweet Sidekick: Accompany the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to add a luxurious, cool contrast to the warm, spiced cake.
• Morning Brunch Boost: Create a delightful breakfast spread by adding fresh berries or a light fruit compote that cuts through the cake's richness and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.

Add-Ins to Put a New Spin on Classic Coffee Cake

• Nutty Banana Bliss: Replace part of the milk with mashed ripe bananas and fold chopped pecans into the streusel for a rich, fruity version.
• Chocolate Chip Comfort: Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cake batter and reduce the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.
• Seasonal Berry Burst: Swap walnuts with fresh blueberries or raspberries mixed into the streusel, creating a bright and tangy coffee cake experience.
• Spiced Autumn Edition: Add ground nutmeg and ginger to the streusel, and use brown butter instead of regular melted butter for deeper, warming flavor notes.

Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Irresistible coffee cake brings warmth from classic German kitchens, blending rich cinnamon streusel with tender crumb. Fragrant spices and buttery layers invite morning comfort, promising sweet moments shared with friends over steaming cups.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted butter
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts (optional)

Icing Drizzle (optional):

• ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk (add more if needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F (190°C) and preparing a 9×9-inch baking dish with grease or parchment paper.
2. Craft the cake base by whisking an egg until smooth, then incorporating sugar, milk, salt, oil, and vanilla into a cohesive mixture.
3. Sift flour into the wet ingredients, carefully distributing baking powder across the flour surface before gently folding everything together until just combined.
4. Transfer the silky batter into the prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
5. Create the streusel topping by liquefying butter in a microwave-safe container, then blending brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until thoroughly integrated.
6. Fold chopped walnuts into the streusel mixture for added texture and depth.
7. Liberally scatter the streusel across the cake’s surface, using fingertips or a wooden spoon handle to gently embed the topping halfway into the batter with 12-18 random punctures.
8. Slide the cake into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring for moist crumbs when testing with a toothpick.
9. Remove from oven and allow the cake to rest and slightly cool, preserving its tender interior.
10. Optional: Whip together butter and powdered sugar, gradually introducing milk to create a smooth, drizzleable icing.
11. Delicately drape the icing over the warm cake just before serving, enhancing its visual appeal and flavor profile.

Notes

• Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Softly fold flour into wet ingredients to prevent tough, dense cake and maintain a light, fluffy consistency.
• Randomly poking streusel into batter creates delightful pockets of cinnamon-nutty goodness throughout the cake.
• Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center; moist crumbs indicate perfect baking, while wet batter means it needs more time.
• Allow cake to cool slightly before adding optional icing to prevent immediate melting and ensure a clean, attractive drizzle.
• Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg