Name: Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

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If there’s one recipe I love pulling out for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or cozy gatherings with old friends, it’s this Classic Coffee Cake. It’s the sort of treat that conjures nostalgia with every cinnamon-laced bite and always manages to steal the spotlight, whether enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or savored as a sweet snack. This moist, buttery cake, swirled with a rich, nutty streusel, wraps you in a warm, comforting aroma the moment it hits the oven. Trust me, mastering this beloved Classic Coffee Cake puts a crowd-pleasing gem right in your repertoire.

Classic Coffee Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about making a Classic Coffee Cake is that the ingredients are everyday staples, yet each plays a vital role in creating its signature crumb, flavor, and golden crust. Don’t underestimate the importance of things like real butter, a generous scoop of sour cream, or the irresistible lure of cinnamon-studded streusel—these details make all the difference.

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb—be sure to measure carefully for the best texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the base and helps make the cake light and moist.
Unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and gives the cake its melt-in-the-mouth texture; softened butter creams much better with sugar.
Sour cream: The secret to an incredibly moist, slightly tangy cake that never feels dry.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and give the cake structure.
Vanilla extract: This little splash rounds out and enhances every flavor in the cake.
Baking powder: Lends lift, ensuring your Classic Coffee Cake isn’t too dense.
Baking soda: Reacts with the sour cream for even more rise and tenderness.
Salt: A pinch effortlessly highlights all the sweet and spicy notes.
Brown sugar: For the streusel—it brings a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the crumble.
Pecans or walnuts, chopped: These offer a wonderful crunch in every bite of streusel; pecans are classic, but walnuts shine too.
Ground cinnamon: The heart of the streusel! It gives that warm, spicy aroma that makes coffee cake irresistible.
Cold butter, cubed: Essential for a crumbly, crunchy topping—cut it in cold for the perfect streusel texture.

How to Make Classic Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), which sets the scene for a perfectly golden cake. Generously grease your chosen baking pan—9×9-inch if you like your cake thick and tall, or 9×13-inch for a larger, thinner batch. Pull out your eggs and sour cream ahead of time so they reach room temperature; this helps them blend easily for a uniform batter.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This quick step ensures the leaveners are evenly distributed, setting your Classic Coffee Cake up for a perfect rise and light crumb. Give it a quick stir and set aside while you focus on the creamy base.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a larger bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a tender cake, and the mixture should almost double in volume. If you’re using a hand mixer or stand mixer, two to three minutes is all it takes. Don’t rush this—it’s the foundation of that classic tenderness.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream

Crack the eggs into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract. Next, fold in the sour cream. This gives your Classic Coffee Cake its unmistakably moist, rich texture—don’t skip or substitute unless you use Greek yogurt for a similar effect!

Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add your whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, so stop as soon as there are no visible streaks of flour left. The batter should look thick, creamy, and a little dreamy at this point.

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Streusel

While your batter rests, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts in a bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter, and cut it in with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture looks like chunky, sweet sand. This classic topping delivers flavor and crunch—worth every second it takes to mix!

Step 7: Layer, Top, and Bake

Spread half the batter evenly in your greased baking pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-nut streusel over the top, then cover gently with the rest of the batter. Finish with the remaining streusel, ensuring it’s evenly distributed for an eye-catching golden topping. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes—you’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Let your Classic Coffee Cake cool before slicing to set the crumb.

How to Serve Classic Coffee Cake

Garnishes

This Classic Coffee Cake is a beauty on its own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk adds bakery-worthy flair. A few toasted pecans or walnuts on top of each slice can boost texture and presentation, while a sprinkle of cinnamon just before serving makes the aroma absolutely irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your Classic Coffee Cake with a strong cup of coffee or a creamy latte (it’s in the name, after all!). Fresh berries, sliced oranges, or tangy Greek yogurt make perfect, refreshing partners. For brunch, consider savory options like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or gourmet sausages—the sweetness of the cake balances everything on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the cake into generous squares and stack them on a pretty cake stand for a welcoming centerpiece. For a more elegant twist, serve slightly warmed slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. You can also transform leftovers into coffee cake trifles layered with fruit and cream for a show-stopping dessert remix!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Classic Coffee Cake keeps surprisingly well! Store any leftovers tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the fridge for five days. The flavors even deepen by the next morning, making it a delightful grab-and-go treat with your first cup of coffee.

Freezing

For longer storage, wrap individual squares or the whole cake in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. When cravings strike, you’ll have homemade cake at your fingertips—just thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter, and it’ll taste fresh-baked every single time.

Reheating

Give your Classic Coffee Cake a quick warm-up in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds per slice, or pop it in a low oven (300°F) for 5–10 minutes to bring back that freshly-baked aroma and tender crumb. If you’ve frozen your cake, allow it to thaw first for even warming.

FAQs

Can I make Classic Coffee Cake without nuts?

Absolutely! Simply leave out the nuts in the streusel—your cake will still have all the cinnamon-sugar magic and a lovely crumbly texture. If you want extra crunch, try replacing nuts with rolled oats or sunflower seeds.

Is there a way to make this cake lighter or healthier?

You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat while keeping moisture. For an added nutritious touch, try using half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose, though the texture may be a bit denser. You can also cut the sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness.

Does Classic Coffee Cake actually contain coffee?

Nope—there’s no coffee in most American coffee cakes! The name comes from the tradition of serving it alongside coffee rather than in the batter. Of course, a cup of coffee on the side is always encouraged.

What pan size works best?

This recipe is flexible! Use a 9×9-inch pan for a tall, bakery-style cake, or a 9×13-inch pan for thinner slices perfect for potlucks. Just be sure to check for doneness early if using a larger pan, as it may bake a bit faster.

Can I add fruit to Classic Coffee Cake?

Yes! Blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples fold in beautifully—just toss them lightly with flour so they don’t sink. Fruit adds a pop of brightness and pairs perfectly with the cinnamon streusel.

Final Thoughts

There’s something endlessly comforting and welcoming about serving a homemade Classic Coffee Cake, warm from the oven with its irresistible swirl of cinnamon and sweet crumb topping. Whether you’re a weekend baker or just getting started, this recipe is pure joy in every slice. I hope you give it a try soon and share it with the people you love—because good coffee cake, like good company, is meant to be enjoyed together!

Classic Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the classic comfort of a warm slice of Classic Coffee Cake. Moist and tender, with a buttery crumb and a sweet cinnamon streusel topping, this cake is perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the 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
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the streusel:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Prepare batter: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Make streusel: In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
Layer and bake: Spread half the batter, sprinkle half the streusel, add remaining batter, top with rest of streusel. Bake for 35–40 minutes until done.
Cool and serve: Cool before slicing and serving.