The BEST Coffee Cake Recipe

Alex
Published 29 May' 26 Updated 29 May' 26

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Coffee cake is a delicious, moist, and spongy cake often paired with a hot cup of coffee. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-afternoon snack. With a crumbly topping and a rich, sweet flavor, this cake is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s typically flavored with cinnamon, but there are various variations with fruits, nuts, and even chocolate.

Coffee Cake

People Why Love Coffee Cake

  • Versatile Flavor: You can easily adjust the flavor to suit your taste, whether it’s cinnamon, vanilla, or fruit.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Coffee cake is ideal for gatherings, as it’s easy to slice and serve.
  • Moist Texture: The cake remains moist even after several hours, making it a great make-ahead treat.
  • Quick and Easy: It requires basic ingredients that most people already have in their kitchens.
  • Pairs Well with Coffee: As the name suggests, it’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea.

    Health Benefits

    • Rich in Fiber: The cake’s ingredients like flour and sour cream contribute to fiber, which is important for digestive health.
    • Contains Healthy Fats: The nuts in the topping provide healthy fats that support heart health.
    • Boosts Energy: The combination of carbs and protein in this cake makes it a good energy-boosting snack.
    • Can be made healthier: You can substitute whole wheat flour, reduce sugar, or use non-dairy alternatives to make the cake lighter.

    Cooking Tips and Tricks

    • Sour Cream Substitute: If you don’t have sour cream, plain yogurt works just as well for a tangy flavor and moist texture.
    • Add-ins: Experiment with adding fresh berries or chunks of chocolate to the batter to customize the flavor.
    • Don’t over-mix: When adding the dry ingredients, mix until just combined to avoid dense cake.
    • Test doneness: Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
    Coffee Cake Recipe​
    Recipe
    5 (0 Reviews)

    Coffee Cake Recipe​

    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins

    Coffee cake is a delicious, moist, and spongy cake often paired with a hot cup of coffee. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-afternoon snack. With a crumbly topping and a rich, sweet flavor, this cake is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls: For combining the dry and wet ingredients.
    • Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
    • Whisk or electric mixer: For mixing the ingredients together.
    • 9-inch round or square cake pan: To bake the cake.
    • Cooling rack: To allow the cake to cool evenly after baking.

    Ingredients

    Servings 8
    • For the cake
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
    • 0.5 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
    • For the topping
    • 0.5 cup brown sugar (packed)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 0.25 cup chopped nuts (optional, like walnuts or pecans)

    Instructions

    1
    Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
    2
    Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the chopped nuts if using. Set aside.
    3
    Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
    4
    Add dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Mix until just combined.
    5
    Assemble the cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle half of the topping mixture over the batter. Add the remaining batter, and top it with the rest of the topping mixture.
    6
    Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    7
    Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, slice and serve.

    Notes:

    Storage: Store your leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    Freezing: You can freeze slices of coffee cake for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

    Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

    350

    Calories (kcal)

    16

    Fat (g)

    0

    Carbs (g)

    4

    Protein (g)

    Carbohydrates 45g
    Cholesterol 50mg
    Sodium 180mg
    Potassium 100mg
    Fiber 1g
    Sugar 28g
    Vitamin A 200 IU
    Vitamin C 1mg
    Calcium 50mg
    Iron 1.5mg

    * Nutryuuytun ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

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    Hi, I'm Nagi!

    Hi, I'm Nagi!

    I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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