Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe - Daring Kitchen (2024)

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This cinnamon coffee cake is a match made in heaven for your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Its buttery cake base is filled with luscious layers of walnut streusel. Not to mention it is finished with a dazzling and easy to make the sugar glaze!

When I think of any perfect morning, it always involves a hot cup of coffee and a delicious sweet treat. There is something remarkable about cake and coffee together. This cake is incredibly versatile. This cinnamon coffee cake is great because it is less like a sweet birthday cake and more like a buttery sweet bread. Just one bite makes your favorite cup of coffee so much better.

Who Doesn't Love Coffee Cake?

Coffee cake was invented for a reason. Did you know it has origins in Germany and Austria? These countries were and still remain famous for their sweet treats. I mean, streusel is a German invention!

Centuries ago, these German bakers got curious. They were eager to create the best cake to pair with coffee. And, you bet they did.

Coffee cake is special because it is very different from your typical cake. It is more like a sweet bread. Coffee cake has a texture that is both buttery and luscious. Instead of creamy icing, you have nutty brown sugar layers that add sweetness and crunch.

This cinnamon coffee cake recipe resembles the classic coffee cake invented years ago. It features that iconic streusel and not to mention tons of cinnamon spice. You may have found the best way to get your morning started!

The Softest Cinnamon Coffee Cake

No one wants a dense cake. This cinnamon coffee cake is oh so fluffy and buttery. That all has to do with a couple of easy tricks!

As much as I cannot deny it, butter does make everything better. When you cream together the sugar and butter evenly, this coffee cake gains an impeccable texture.

But, there is one trick to the ultimate soft coffee cake base. It all has to do with how you combine your wet and dry ingredients. Oftentimes, we just want to throw everything together. That makes sense because who wouldn't be eager to eat this cinnamon coffee cake? But, if you just take a little time with this tip, you will have a coffee cake that is rich and fluffy.

It all starts with setting aside your milk from your wet ingredients. When you are ready to combine wet and dry ingredients, your milk will be your asset. Slowly alternating between dry ingredients and milk will help to blend all the ingredients together smoothly. This results in a well-combined batter that will rise gracefully in the oven. Once the coffee cake cools, the cake will practically melt in your mouth!

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A Classic Streusel Topping

What is incredibly fabulous about this coffee cake is its walnut topping. It adds just the right kind of texture to the cake. When you bite into both the buttery cake base and the brown sugar walnuts, you don’t seem to need much else. Did I mention the streusel only requires 5 simple ingredients?

  • Chopped walnuts to give you the ideal crunch and nutty flavors.
  • Brown Sugar imparts a lovely and toasty sweetness.
  • Melted Butter to make everything gooey and rich.
  • Cinnamon for that beloved classic spiced flavor.
  • Flour to bind everything together!

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake

One of the best parts about this coffee cake recipe is that it uses plain old baking ingredients. No need to search all over the store for obscure ingredients - this cake uses simple staple ingredients that you may have already. Even if you do not, you will be in and out of the store in no time.

In regards to kitchen accessories, nothing fancy is necessary either. All you need are 3 reliable mixing bowls, a spatula, and a hand mixer are your best friends. Oh and your oven of course!

The prep time for this cinnamon coffee cake recipe is super simple.

With this recipe, you are only an hour away from a taste of heaven. Before getting started, you should take your butter out of the fridge. You will need it to reach room temperature, especially for your streusel. Once you preheat your oven, you are ready to rumble.

First, you need to mix all your dry ingredients in a separate bowl. You should always sift your flour. This will make all the difference when you combine your wet and dry ingredients. It will help everything to mix evenly. After you carefully stir together all your dry ingredients, you can set them aside.

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When combining your wet ingredients, you will need your hand mixer. This will whip together your sugar and butter quickly into a creamy mixture.

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Remember, this cake achieves its light and buttery texture with a special alternating technique. Bringing together your wet and dry ingredients is a lot smoother when you alternate between incorporating flour and milk. This lets all the cinnamon coffee cake ingredients completely blend. This will make for the perfect bite of fluffy cake.

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Now, here is the hard part: making your streusel topping, without eating it all! The simple ingredients come together so smoothly. All you need is a fork to mix. The smell is even better, especially with all the fragrant cinnamon. Just try not to take a bite full along the way.

The creative part comes with layering your cake. You first need to pour half of the batter into the bottom of a well-greased classic 8-inch cake pan. Then you add a generous layer of streusel, followed by the rest of your batter. The cake will be finished with a complete layer of streusel that will become extra crunchy in the oven.

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Pop it in the oven and get ready for a classic cinnamon treat!

For that Sinful Sugar Glaze

To ease your eagerness as you wait for your cinnamon coffee cake, why not make some glaze? This glaze is easy peasy to make. Three ingredients result in the scrumptious decoration for your cinnamon coffee cake treat. At this point, your butter should be super soft. Mixed with milk and powdered sugar, an iconic sugar glaze will come together in only a few minutes.

This coffee cake needs around 10 minutes to cool. That is the perfect amount of time to brew your favorite cup of coffee. Whether it's a cappuccino or drip coffee, you will not regret enjoying it with a slice of this epic cinnamon coffee cake.

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Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe - Daring Kitchen (7)

A buttery-sweet cake made for a cup of coffee.

4.32 from 16 votes

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Calories: 4718kcal

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 ¾ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 ½ tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter (113g)
  • ¾ cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg large
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ½ cup Milk

For the Streusel topping:

  • 1 cup Walnuts chopped
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • ½ cup Flour
  • 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder
  • ¼ cup Butter at room temperature

For Sugar Glaze:

  • 1 cup Confectioners Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Butter at room temperature
  • 2-3 tbsp Milk

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 ° Fahrenheit /175° Celsius. Grease and flour an 8 inch round cake pan.Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and keep aside.

  • Add butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy.

  • Add egg and vanilla and mix well

  • Now, add the flour in three batches alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Keep aside.

Streusel topping:

  • Mix the ingredients of the streusel topping with a fork.

Assembly:

  • Pour half of the batter into the cake pan. Evenly sprinkle ½ of the streusel topping. Add the remaining batter and sprinkle the remaining streusel topping.

  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or till a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

  • Let the cake stay in the pan for 10 minutes and then carefully invert onto a wire rack. Cool the cake completely before adding the sugar glaze.

Sugar Glaze:

  • Mix the powdered sugar, butter, and milk to a thick pourable consistency.

  • Pour the glaze over the cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 4718kcal | Carbohydrates: 644g | Protein: 74g | Fat: 219g | Saturated Fat: 74g | Cholesterol: 423mg | Sodium: 2080mg | Potassium: 1271mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 386g | Vitamin A: 3272IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 1006mg | Iron: 23mg

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe - Daring Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep coffee cake moist? ›

Wrap Your Cake Tightly

By wrapping the cake tightly, you'll keep any moisture in the cake, preserving its texture and flavor longer. Once your cake is wrapped, you'll be ready to store it at the right temperature.

What temperature is coffee cake done at? ›

Tips for Baking and Cooling

Bake at 350°F (180°C) until the coffee cake is puffed, firm, and golden around the edges, about 40 minutes or to an internal temperature of about 200°F (93°C). The aroma of butter and cinnamon will be unbelievably tempting, but let the cake cool before you dig in.

How do you describe coffee cake? ›

Coffee cake, or kaffekuchen, is a single layer cake with a sweet, cinnamon-infused flavor and streusel top made from flour, butter, and sugar. Streusel can also be layered inside of the cake like a filling. Fruit variations are prevalent, with blueberry being the most common.

Is coffee cake American? ›

American Coffee cake evolved from other sweet dishes from Vienna. In the 17th century, Northern/Central Europeans are thought to have come up with the idea of eating sweet cakes while drinking coffee.

What's the secret to a moist cake? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Why is my coffee cake so dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard.

Is it better to bake a cake at 325 or 350? ›

Some of Dawn's favorite baking tips:

Bake your cakes at 325° not 350°. This will allow your cake to rise more. Don't grease the sides of your baking pan. Greasing the sides of the pan will not allow your cake to climb the edges of the pan and grow tall.

How much time should a cake bake in the oven? ›

Typically, a cake is baked at a temperature of 180-190 degrees Celsius for 25-30 minutes. However, the temperature and time may vary depending on the recipe and the size of the cake. It's crucial to follow the recipe instructions carefully to achieve the best results.

What is the real name for coffee cake? ›

It wasn't until 1763 before coffee cake was first mentioned, though technically even then by another name, the German “gugelhupf”.

Why is coffee cake called Buckle? ›

A buckle is a funny name for an old fashioned fruit studded coffee cake. Like many other desserts in the extended cobbler family buckles take their name from their appearance—grunts grunt as they cook, slumps slump when served, buckles—you guessed it—buckle.

Why do people eat coffee cake? ›

Coffee cake is a pastry originally meant to be enjoyed, and even dipped into coffee. It softens the cake when wet and the typical cinnamon filling will sweeten the coffee. Eat and Drink how you please, however.

What is the difference between a regular cake and a coffee cake? ›

The difference between coffee cake and regular cake is the topping. Coffee cake and regular cake are made with the same ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter and a leavening agent like baking powder. The difference is that instead of frosting on top, coffee cakes have crumble or streusel.

What culture is coffee cake from? ›

The first coffee cake likely originated in Germany, specifically in Dresden. However, the Danish came up with the earliest version of eating a type of sweet bread while drinking coffee, so coffee cakes really evolved from many different cultural traditions. We do know that coffee was introduced to Europe in the 1600s.

What to eat with coffee cake? ›

Easy Coffee Cake Serving Suggestions

Pair it with something savory, like a frittata or scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit.

How do you make coffee cake less dry? ›

The 4 Best Ways to Fix a Dry Cake
  1. Brush the cake with a simple syrup glaze. If your cake comes out too dry, you can still save it with a simple syrup glaze. ...
  2. Soak your cake in milk or cream. ...
  3. Add frosting. ...
  4. Fill your cake with mousse or jam.
May 14, 2023

How do you keep a cake moist longer? ›

How to Keep Cake Moist in Storage?
  1. Icing your cake is an easy and delicious way to seal in your cake's moisture. ...
  2. Using an air-tight container is the best and easiest way to keep your cake from getting exposed to air.

How do you keep moisture out of coffee? ›

The general rule of thumb with coffee storage is to keep it away from light, heat, moisture, and air. An opaque, airtight container, such as this one, should do the trick, but if the bag your coffee came in has an airtight closure, such as a zip-top seal, you can use that.

How can I stop my cake from sweating? ›

Take the cake outside at the last possible moment and find a spot for it in the shade. If possible, position a fan to blow onto it. These will all limit the amount of condensation caused by the change in temperature.

References

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