If you’ve ever dreamed of a tender, moist, and irresistibly crumbly treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, then this Classic Coffee Cake Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Packed with a buttery sour cream batter and topped with a delightfully cinnamon-spiced streusel, every bite melts in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. This recipe brings together simple pantry staples in a way that creates a coffee cake so comforting and crowd-pleasing it’s bound to be a staple in your home for years to come.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Classic Coffee Cake Recipe, you’ll use straightforward ingredients that you likely have on hand, each playing a key role in crafting the perfect flavor and texture. From the tang of sour cream to the fragrant warmth of cinnamon, every element is essential to the magic.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the soft, sturdy base of the cake for that tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter evenly while helping create a light texture.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, ensuring a luscious cake.
- Sour cream: Makes the cake incredibly moist and adds a subtle tang that balances sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake’s structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise for a tender, fluffy crumb.
- Baking soda: Works with sour cream to create lift and tenderness.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights all the flavors.
- Brown sugar (for streusel): Brings deep molasses notes and moisture to the crumbly topping.
- Ground cinnamon (for streusel): Adds cozy, warming spice to the streusel.
- All-purpose flour (for streusel): Helps bind the topping into those perfect crumbly clusters.
- Unsalted butter (cold, cubed for streusel): Creates the flaky texture of the streusel as it bakes.
How to Make Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Streusel
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9-inch square baking pan to prevent sticking. Next, make the streusel by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and cold cubed butter in a medium bowl. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix everything until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This streusel will bake into a crunchy, sweet topping that is the hallmark of this coffee cake.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is essential as it incorporates air into the batter, giving the cake its wonderful texture and rise.
Step 3: Add the Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream. The sour cream not only brings moisture but also adds a deliciously subtle tang that keeps the cake from being overly sweet.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Carefully
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Overmixing can make your cake tough, so be gentle to keep that tender crumb intact.
Step 5: Layer Batter and Streusel
Pour half of the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter, then repeat with the remaining batter and streusel. This layering ensures every bite will have that delightfully crunchy topping.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Delicious
Bake your coffee cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan — this resting time helps everything set perfectly and makes slicing a breeze.
How to Serve Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
Garnishes
This Classic Coffee Cake Recipe doesn’t require much to impress, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze can elevate its look and sweetness beautifully. If you want to add texture and flavor, sprinkle some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts right before serving.
Side Dishes
Your coffee cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or fragrant tea, naturally. For a more substantial breakfast or brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or even scrambled eggs. The balance of sweet and savory will delight your taste buds.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Cut the coffee cake into perfect squares and serve on a decorative platter with mini dessert forks. You can also layer slices between plates with a scoop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your coffee cake has cooled completely, store leftover pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the cake moist and delicious without losing that crucial crumbly texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Classic Coffee Cake Recipe fresh longer, it freezes beautifully. Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil, or place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen coffee cake can be stored for up to two months without sacrificing taste.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, microwave slices for about 20 seconds or warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes. Reheating brings back that fresh-baked feeling, especially when paired with a hot beverage.
FAQs
Can I use plain yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Plain yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream and will maintain the moist texture, though the flavor may be a bit tangier depending on the yogurt type.
What makes this a Classic Coffee Cake Recipe?
It’s the perfect combination of a rich, sour cream-based batter topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. This traditional pairing gives the cake its signature moistness and crumbly topping, which defines a classic coffee cake.
Can I add nuts to the streusel?
Yes, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping is a fantastic way to add crunch and extra flavor. Just fold in about half a cup with the dry streusel ingredients before cutting in the butter.
Is this coffee cake suitable for breakfast?
Definitely! This cake is perfect for breakfast or brunch, especially when served with coffee, tea, or fresh fruit. It’s sweet but not overly so, making it a delightful morning treat.
How long does it keep fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, your coffee cake will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. Beyond that, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze to maintain quality.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Coffee Cake Recipe is truly a gem to have in your recipe collection. It’s simple to make, wonderfully comforting, and can bring a warm smile to anyone who tastes it. Next time you want to brighten your morning or treat loved ones, give this coffee cake a try — I promise it will become a cherished favorite, just like it is in my kitchen!
Print
Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic coffee cake with a tender, moist crumb and a sweet, crumbly cinnamon streusel topping. This easy-to-make breakfast or dessert treat features sour cream for extra moisture and rich flavor, perfect for pairing with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and cold cubed butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer or whisk until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add eggs and flavorings: Beat the eggs into the creamed butter and sugar one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream until smooth and combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet batter, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Assemble layers: Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter layer. Repeat with the remaining batter and the remaining streusel topping to create two layers.
- Bake the coffee cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Allow the coffee cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving to help it set and maintain its structure.
Notes
- You can add 1/2 cup chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for added crunch and texture.
- This coffee cake pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making it an ideal breakfast or snack treat.
