Coffee cake has been my favorite breakfast treat for years. I love its moist texture and sweet cinnamon flavor. There are many versions of this treat. But for me, the traditional version remains unbeatable for Sunday brunches.
Contents
Coffee cake recipe
Coffee cake is a popular sweet baked good in the US. It is often described as a midpoint between bread and cake. It has a rich, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced flavor profile.
Despite its name, it doesn’t usually contain coffee. Instead, it is designed to be enjoyed with coffee. This cake cake is a versatile dessert or snack that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Here’s how to make the Coffee Cake:
Coffee Cake
Nutrition
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ⅓ cup (80ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- ⅓ cup (70g) brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp cold butter cubed
- ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix milk, oil (or butter), egg, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, flour
- Cut in the cold butter using a fork or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Pour the cake batter into the greased pan and sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over it.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped nuts or a drizzle of glaze on top.
- Best served warm with coffee or tea.
- Stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
SIMILAR RECIPES
Pairing suggestions
Here are some popular options to pair the coffee cake:
- Coffee (strong espresso, a cappuccino, or a latte) is a classic pairing. It complements the sweetness and spices in the cake.
- Golden Turmeric Latte pairs well with the soft crumb of coffee cake. It offers a unique and comforting combination.
- Tea provides a refreshing contrast. Herbal teas or light black tea can work well with coffee cake.
- Plant-based Milk is a great choice. It complements the sweetness of the cake without overpowering it.
- Spiced Spey Coffee cocktail is perfect for a cozy evening
Variations
Coffee cake has numerous variations. Each offers unique flavors and textures.
- Blueberry Crumb Cake
- Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter
- Add 1 tsp lemon zest to the batter
- Add 2 tbsp lemon juice to the wet ingredients
- Apple Cinnamon Version
- Add 1 cup of diced apples to the batter
- Increase cinnamon to 1½ tsp in the streusel
- Add ¼ tsp nutmeg to the streusel
- Chocolate Chip Addition
- Add ¾ cup chocolate chips to the batter
- Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the streusel mixture
- Optional: drizzle with simple chocolate ganache after baking
- Pumpkin Spice Infusion
- Replace the milk with ½ cup of pumpkin puree
- Add ½ tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the batter
- Add ¼ cup chopped pecans to the streusel
- Almond Streusel Coffee Cake
- Add ½ tsp almond extract to the batter
- Add ⅓ cup sliced almonds to the streusel
- Drizzle with a simple almond glaze
- Cream Cheese Swirl Cake
- Mix 8oz softened cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar and 1 egg
- Pour half the batter into the pan, add cream cheese mixture, top with the remaining batter
- Swirl with a knife before adding streusel