Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe – Soft, Streusel-Topped Delight

Perhaps it's the cinnamon ribbon hidden in the middle, or the soft, sweet (but not overly sweet) crumb. Perhaps it's the simple drizzle of vanilla glaze or the buttery layer of streusel on top. 

I'm addicted to it, and I'm sure you will be, too! Serve this at your next brunch or special event (scones or French toast casserole are always a hit, too!).

Then, as your guests take their first bite, you can relax and watch their eyes roll to the back of their heads. Or simply prepare it for dessert this evening, as Thursdays are also worthy of celebration!

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This incredibly soft coffee cake has a simple streusel topping and a surprise cinnamon ripple in the center. A crowd can be fed with this recipe, which only takes 30 minutes to prepare (if you're willing to share!).

Course: breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Servings: 24 pieces

Calories: 309 KCAL

Ingredients to Make This Cinnamon Coffee Cake

• 100 grams, or ½ cup, of granulated sugar
• Two large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla  extract
• Two and a half cups (335 g) All-purpose flour
• Two tsp baking powder
• One teaspoon of cornstarch
• Half a teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Buttermilk
• 113 g (½ cup) softened unsalted butter
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup or 200 grams of tightly packed light brown sugar 

Cinnamon swirl:

• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Streusel topping:

• One and ⅓ cup (175 g) All-purpose flour
• 225 g—1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Packed with brown sugar
• Four and ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon 
• Three tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• Ten tablespoons (140 grams) Melted unsalted butter

Glaze (Optional)

• 65 grams, or ½ cup, of powdered sugar
• Two to three teaspoons of milk

Instructions to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake

• Lightly grease and flour a 13 x 9 baking pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cream the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer or in a stand mixer.
• Until light and fluffy, beat in sugars.
• Add the eggs one at a time. Beat the eggs until combined. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl.
• Add vanilla extract and stir.
• Mix the cornstarch, baking powder, flour, and salt in a different medium-sized bowl.
• Until all of the flour mixture and buttermilk have been mixed together, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while switching between the two.
• About half of the batter, which will be thick, should be spread out in the prepared pan.
• In a small bowl, quickly whisk together the sugar and cinnamon to create a cinnamon ripple layer, then evenly distribute it over the batter.
• Spread the remaining batter evenly with a knife after dolloping it on top of the cinnamon sugar layer. Try your hardest, but don't worry if it's difficult for you or you don't want to spread! Simply use a knife to swirl in the sugar or cinnamon if it's simpler. Prepare your streusel topping and set it aside.

Streusel:

• In a medium bowl, melt butter in 10-second increments while stirring in between until it is just melted; don't let it get too hot; if it does, let it cool.
• Mix the flour, sugars, salt, and cinnamon with a fork. Cover the mixture with melted butter, then use a fork to mix the ingredients together until they are crumbly.
• Evenly distribute the streusel over the batter.
• A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, indicating that the cake is done. For 40 to 50 minutes, bake at 350 degrees centigrade.
• Before slicing and serving, let cool.

Glaze:

• If desired, whisk together milk and powdered sugar to make a glaze. Pour over coffee cake that has cooled.

Nutritional Information

Serving	1 slice
Calories	309 KCAL
Carbohydrates	47 g
Protein	3 g
Fat	13 g
Saturated fat	7 g
Cholesterol	47 MG
Sodium	121 MG
Potassium	108 MG
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	31 g
Vitamin A	419 IU
Calcium	59 MG
Iron	1 MG

FAQs: Best Coffee Cake Recipe (Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe)

Can this coffee cake be made in advance?

Yes! You can make the batter and streusel topping a day ahead. Just keep them separate in the fridge and assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve. The cake is also moist for up to 3 days at room temperature, covered.

Can you freeze cinnamon coffee cake?

Absolutely. When baked and cooled, wrap the cake in plastic wrap tightly and place it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or heat slices in the microwave to serve.

What can replace buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by combining 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with enough milk to measure 1 cup. Leave it for 5–10 minutes before using — you’ll get exactly the same tangy richness that makes the cake nice and soft.

Conclusion: Best Coffee Cake Recipe (Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe)

This cinnamon coffee cake is the ultimate cozy bake – it’s buttery, tender and filled with sweet layers of cinnamon flavor. It’s the kind of dish you would proudly present at brunch, for a quiet breakfast with family, or even as an every-night (or even every day) dessert. 

The streusel topping adds that insatiable crunch, while the cream cheese presents a moist and luscious bite. Bake it once, and its glory will lead you back to the pan again and again.

Read Also:

History of Coffee Cake

Two Delicious Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Recipes

Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake Recipe Plus Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake Variation