Description
This Best Easy Coffee Cake features a tender, moist crumb with a rich cinnamon streusel topping and an optional sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this American classic is simple to prepare and packed with comforting flavors, thanks to sour cream and a buttery crumb topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cake
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Glaze (Optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure even incorporation. Then mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully combined for moisture and tang.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently and mixing only until just combined to avoid overworking the batter which can cause toughness.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, flour, and cold unsalted butter. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Layer Batter and Streusel: Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over this layer. Pour the remaining batter over the streusel and gently spread it out. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the streusel on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is cooked through.
- Cool Before Glazing: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes to set before applying the optional glaze.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze (Optional): Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled coffee cake for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream if needed for a similar texture and tanginess.
- Add chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips to the streusel topping for added texture and flavor variation.
- This coffee cake freezes well—after cooling completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
