Few treats say “cozy comfort” quite like Classic Coffee Cake. With its tender crumb, rich aroma of cinnamon, and irresistible layers of buttery streusel, this recipe is a celebration of simple pleasures. Whether you’re planning a relaxed brunch or just craving a nostalgic sweet to enjoy with your morning cup, Classic Coffee Cake brings a little joy to any table. Trust me, once you taste the crumbly-topped goodness and experience how this cake melts in your mouth, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Classic Coffee Cake is beautifully simple, relying on pantry staples that come together to create bakery-worthy results. Each ingredient plays a key role, from flavor and texture to keeping that signature moistness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and softness every Classic Coffee Cake needs.
- Granulated Sugar: Offers gentle sweetness and helps the cake brown perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Gives unbeatable richness and tenderness to the crumb.
- Sour Cream: The secret to a moist, slightly tangy cake that stays fresh for days.
- Large Eggs: Add lift and create a beautifully cohesive batter.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out all the flavors and brings warmth to every bite.
- Baking Powder: Ensures your cake rises with a light, fluffy texture.
- Baking Soda: Works with the sour cream to add extra lift and softness.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances every flavor.
- Brown Sugar (for the Streusel): Delivers that deep, caramel-like sweetness in the topping.
- All-Purpose Flour (for the Streusel): Binds the streusel and adds a delightful crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings the warm, homey aroma everyone expects in Classic Coffee Cake.
- Cold Unsalted Butter (cubed, for the Streusel): Creates those addictive, crumbly bites on top.
How to Make Classic Coffee Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×9-inch baking pan. This simple prep step ensures your Classic Coffee Cake bakes evenly and lifts out easily once cooled—nobody likes a stuck cake!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that your leaveners mix evenly throughout the cake, resulting in a uniform rise and a soft, fluffy texture slice after slice.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. This step adds air to the batter, which translates into that melt-in-your-mouth crumb we love in Classic Coffee Cake.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
One at a time, mix in the eggs, followed by the vanilla extract and sour cream. The sour cream makes everything delightfully moist, and the eggs help bind the batter, so don’t rush here. Mix until you have a creamy, smooth base.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your whisked dry mix to the wet ingredients. Stir gently, just until combined—over-mixing can make the cake tough! You’ll end up with a thick, luscious batter ready for layering.
Step 6: Make the Streusel Topping
In a separate bowl, blend together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then cut in cold, cubed butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Stop when the streusel looks like coarse, buttery crumbs—this is the secret to those irresistible ribboned layers and crunchy topping!
Step 7: Assemble and Layer
Spread half the cake batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the streusel, then gently spread the remaining batter on top. Finish with the last of the streusel, ensuring some larger clumps for a stunning finish.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Pop your assembled cake into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. The top should be golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean. Let it cool slightly before slicing—this gives the cake a chance to set and makes serving easy.
How to Serve Classic Coffee Cake
Garnishes
The magic of Classic Coffee Cake is how customizable it is! A dusting of powdered sugar is all you need for classic charm, but you can also drizzle a quick glaze made from milk and powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness. If you’re feeling creative, add a sprinkle of toasted nuts on top for crunch and a nutty aroma.
Side Dishes
This cake truly shines beside a hot mug of coffee or tea, turning everyday moments into cozy rituals. For brunches or gatherings, pair it with fresh fruit (think berries or sliced oranges), a creamy yogurt parfait, or even savory favorites like scrambled eggs for a complete and satisfying spread.
Creative Ways to Present
The Classic Coffee Cake is just as at home cut into generous squares and stacked on a platter as it is plated elegantly with whipped cream and berries. For parties, try cutting the cake into mini “bites”—perfect for snacking at gatherings! If gifting, wrap individual pieces in parchment and twine for a sweet homemade touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers, simply cover the cake tightly and keep it at room temperature. It will stay wonderfully moist for up to three days—just be sure to keep it airtight to lock in that fresh-baked flavor.
Freezing
This Classic Coffee Cake freezes beautifully. Slice it, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. When you’re ready for a treat, just thaw at room temperature or give it a quick warm-up.
Reheating
For that just-baked tenderness, reheat a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. If you prefer the oven, wrap pieces in foil and warm at 325°F for 10 minutes. The streusel crisps up nicely and the cake becomes soft and aromatic all over again.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Full-fat Greek yogurt is a wonderful swap for sour cream in Classic Coffee Cake. It adds the same moisture and subtle tang, so you won’t miss a thing in terms of texture or flavor.
Why is my coffee cake dense?
Density can happen if the batter is over-mixed or if you don’t use the proper amount of leaveners. Be sure to mix just until combined, and double-check your baking powder and soda are fresh for a perfect Classic Coffee Cake every time.
Can I add nuts or fruit to the batter?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans in the streusel or even a handful of blueberries in the batter will work beautifully. Just toss any fruit with a little flour before adding to keep them from sinking.
Is this recipe good for making ahead for guests?
Classic Coffee Cake is perfect to bake a day ahead—the flavors meld wonderfully, and it slices neatly once fully cooled. Just wait to add any glaze or garnishes until right before serving for the freshest look.
Is Classic Coffee Cake actually made with coffee?
Despite the name, Classic Coffee Cake doesn’t contain coffee—it’s meant to be enjoyed with coffee! The cake itself is all about buttery, cinnamon-spiced goodness with a crumbly top that pairs so well with your favorite cup.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a treat that embodies comfort and brings people together, this Classic Coffee Cake has you covered. It’s irresistibly delicious, easy to make, and always gets rave reviews—so pull out your baking pan and share a slice with someone you love!
Print
Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Classic Coffee Cake, a delicious breakfast treat perfect for sharing with loved ones. Moist sour cream cake layered with a cinnamon-scented streusel topping, it’s a timeless favorite that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
Ingredients
Main Cake:
- 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
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the cake batter: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and sour cream. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Make the streusel topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture forms crumbs.
- Layer and bake: Spread half of the batter in the pan, sprinkle with half of the streusel. Add remaining batter and top with the rest of the streusel. Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before serving.
Notes
- For added crunch, mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel.
- This coffee cake stays fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
