Nothing beats a good slice of coffee cake. This Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is buttery, moist, and full of hints of sweet cinnamon spice. It's great to enjoy with your morning coffee!
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Coffee Cake With Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Streusel Topping
I love going to a café or bakery and getting a nice big piece of coffee cake. Something about the moist, buttery cake with sweet sugar and cinnamon feels so nostalgic. In addition to the crumbs on top? Absolutely divine!
So, I set out to make my own. This Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake has that same buttery and moist flavor with deliciously sweet hints of cinnamon spice. And it's got the perfect coffee cake stickiness! I basically pounded out three different variations of this recipe to get it just right. Each one was better than the last, but this one is perfect!
The key for getting the most perfect coffee cake? I share some important tips & tricks below you'll surely want to know!
Enjoy a nice slice of this Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake with a cup of coffee or tea, as a mini after-breakfast dessert, or a snack throughout the day!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake {Better Than Starbucks!}
There are quite a few moving parts to this recipe, so I'm breaking it down in sections for you.
To make the cake batter, you'll need:
Butter: One stick at room temperature.
Sugar: I used cane sugar. But you could also substitute coconut sugar.
Greek Yogurt: I love the moist richness you get when baking with Greek yogurt. You can also substitute sour cream.
Eggs: I used 3 eggs.
Vanilla Extract: Aside from bringing it's own warm flavor, vanilla extract helps bring our other sweet flavors together.
Flour: I used all purpose flour.
Baking Soda and Powder: Helps lift our cake!
Salt: To help balance out our sweetness.
To make the filling:
Sugar: I used cane sugar here. You can also substitute coconut sugar if desired.
Cinnamon: A classic coffee cake flavor!
Flour: Again, I used all purpose flour.
To make the crumb topping:
Butter: MUST be room temperature! DO NOT use chilled or melted butter!
Sugar: Cane sugar here, too. You can substitute coconut sugar.
Cinnamon: This cake is going to be nice and cinnamony!
Salt: For some contrasting flavor.
Flour: All purpose flour.
Brown Sugar: Gives the perfect sweetness with a hint of molasses.
For the icing:
Powdered sugar: For that extra sweetness.
Vanilla extract: warm, delicious flavor.
Milk: the binding agent of the frosting.
Kitchen Equipment you'll need to make this cinnamon streusel coffee cake
To make this Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, you'll need three mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a rubber spatula, handheld mixer, whisk, pastry blender, parchment paper, and a 9x13 pan.
Time to make the VERY best Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe Ever!!
Preheat oven to 350°F. Then, line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
You will need three separate mixing bowls for this recipe ranging from small to medium size. The cake batter will be the most voluminous, so save the biggest bowl for that batter.
First, let's start the filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, ground cinnamon, and flour. Whisk until completely folded together. Set the bowl aside.
Next, let's do the crumb topping:
In another mixing bowl, combine room temperature butter, sugar, and brown sugar. You can do this with a pastry blender or use a handheld mixer on low. Fold in ground cinnamon, salt, and all purpose flour. Set aside.
Finally, we'll make the cake batter:
In your largest mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to blend a stick of room temperature butter and cane sugar. Then, add in Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Blend until the wet mixture is completely combined.
Next, add in all dry ingredients: all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Blend again until combined.
Now, let's layer:
Add half of the cake batter to your greased pan. It’s going to be sticky, so I suggest using a rubber spatula to dollop a little into the pan at a time.
Next, add all of the filling. It will feel like you're adding too much, but it’s good to have a solid cinnamon sugar filling to get that cinnamon line throughout.
Add the remaining cake batter into the pan by dolloping with a rubber spatula. Take your time to really spread it all out. Try not to mix it with the cinnamon sugar layer. See the images below if you need a demonstration.
Lastly, add the crumb topping to the top of the batter.
Let's bake!
Bake for 30-40 minutes. Depending on what size pan you use, watch the coffee cake closely in the final minutes. (NOTE: oven baking time will vary!!) Put a toothpick through the middle to ensure it’s baked all the way through. Then, ENJOY!!
You can also watch the Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Web Story here.
Alternatives and additions
This coffee cake is DELICIOUS on it's own, but there are ways you can make it a little extra if you wanted to! Here are some ideas:
- Drizzle some icing, caramel, or chocolate sauce across the top.
- Bake in chocolate or butterscotch chips.
- Mix some nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the batter.
- Add fruit like apples, peaches, or blueberries!
- Play with the spices. I bet a Chai spice would taste fantastic!
Pro Tips and FAQs for this recipe
How should I store this coffee cake?
Store in an airtight container on the counter for two to three days or in the refrigerator for one week. Be sure to keep it covered. If you don't, it'll dry out quickly.
Why is it called coffee cake? Is there actual coffee in the recipe?
Coffee cake is a term given to cake that is best enjoyed with a cup of joe. The cake doesn’t actually have coffee in it. It’s usually a pretty sweet dessert like muffins, mini baked donuts, cinnamon rolls, or biscotti and typically has a icing or light dusting of sugar on top.
Any tips for success?
Coffee cake batter is thickkkkk. That's what makes it so good! When you’re pouring the coffee cake batter into your greased pan, you'll find it fairly sticky. I recommend spraying a rubber spatula with cooking spray to prevent sticking and adding the cake batter to the pan in small clumps. This will allow for smooth spreading. Also, it's important you use three separate bowls! Keeping each layer separate is key.
Anything I should watch out for?
It might sound silly, but measuring the flour incorrectly is the most common mistake in this recipe. Make sure that your measurements match the recipe and your batter will be the correct consistency. Also, USE ROOM TEMPERATURE BUTTER!
Can I freeze this coffee cake?
Sure! Just cut it into slices and freeze for up to 3 months.
How is this coffee cake best served?
I think this coffee cake is best served fresh, so I love to enjoy it the day of or the morning after.
What can I substitute for Greek yogurt?
I recommend using sour cream or whole milk. Even buttermilk might work for correct consistency, but note that I haven't tested this.
Is this coffee cake considered healthy?
Due to the high volumes of sugar and butter in this recipe, it is not considered healthy. It is delicious, though!
If you love a sweet brunch, you may also enjoy these tasty bites...
Strawberry Chocolate Brownie Overnight Oats
Healthy Berry French Toast Bake
Healthier Pumpkin Banana Bread
One Bowl Chocolate Banana Muffins
Special K Red Berry Breakfast Muffins
Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly
Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 baking dish
- parchment paper
- 3 mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Handheld mixer or pastry blender
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
For the filling
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp all purpose flour
For the crumb topping
- 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
- ½ cup cane sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
For the cake
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- cooking spray
For the icing
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2-4 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Then, line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- You will need three separate mixing bowls for this recipe ranging from small to medium size. The cake batter will be the most voluminous, so save the biggest bowl for that batter.
First, let's make the filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, ground cinnamon, and flour. Whisk until completely folded together. Set the bowl aside.
Next, we'll make the crumb topping:
- In another mixing bowl, combine room temperature butter, sugar, and brown sugar. You can do this with a pastry blender or use a handheld mixer on low. Fold in ground cinnamon, salt, and all purpose flour. Set aside.
Finally, make the cake batter:
- In your largest mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to blend a stick of room temperature butter and cane sugar. Then, add in Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Blend until the wet mixture is completely combined.
- Next, add in all dry ingredients: all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Blend again until combined.
Now, let's layer:
- Add half of the cake batter to your greased pan. It’s going to be sticky, so I suggest using a rubber spatula to dollop a little into the pan at a time.
- Next, add all of the filling. It will feel like you're adding too much, but it’s good to have a solid cinnamon sugar filling to get that cinnamon line throughout.
- Add the remaining cake batter into the pan by dolloping with a rubber spatula. Take your time to really spread it all out. Try not to mix it with the cinnamon sugar layer. See the images in my post above if you need a demonstration.
- Lastly, add the crumb topping to the top of the batter.
Time to bake!
- Bake for 30-40 minutes. Depending on what size pan you use, watch the coffee cake closely in the final minutes. Put a toothpick through the middle to ensure it’s baked all the way through. Then, ENJOY!!
For the icing:
- In a mixing bowl, use a high speed hand mixer to beat powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk together until a glaze icing forms. Add tablespoons of milk one at a time until desired texture is reached!
Notes
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It's my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
1 serving: 63 grams Carbs | 13 grams Fat | 5 grams Protein
**Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
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This looks AMAZING!!
Delicious! Perfect for Christmas morning! The perfect amount of sweetness! Thank you!
The house smells so warm and sweet! Love!!!! Thanks for the recipe!
This cake quite literally melts in your mouth! I am obsessed with it! While eating it I kept thinking about how I should replace my Birthday cake this year with this coffee cake!
I don't see the ingredients listed or directions for the icing?
Hey Laura, The post has been updated to reflect the icing ingredients and directions. Thanks so much!