The Ultimate Easy Homemade Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Recipe: A Perfect Pairing for Your Coffee
Imagine starting your day with a warm, comforting slice of coffee cake, its rich aroma filling your kitchen. This Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake isn’t just any cake; it’s a culinary masterpiece that promises pure indulgence with every bite. Featuring a beautifully moist, buttery cake base, generously ribboned with a gooey, spiced cinnamon filling, and crowned with an irresistible, crumbly streusel topping, it’s truly the perfect accompaniment to your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Whether it’s a brisk morning, a lazy afternoon, or a delightful brunch gathering, this homemade coffee cake elevates any moment into a special occasion.
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when a thick, tender slice of this homemade coffee cake meets your morning or afternoon brew. The flavors and textures simply complement each other, creating a harmonious experience that feels both luxurious and delightfully familiar. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring that even novice bakers can achieve a bakery-quality result right in their own kitchen. Get ready to bake a treat that will quickly become a cherished favorite.
Looking for another delightful treat? Try our classic Bread Pudding recipe for more comforting flavors!
Discover the Joy of Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
This classic cinnamon crumb coffee cake recipe is more than just a baked good; it’s an experience. The delightful contrast between the soft, fluffy cake and the crunchy, spiced streusel topping is simply divine. Our step-by-step guide will walk you through creating a coffee cake that is not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor. The key to its success lies in balancing the sweetness of the cake with the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg in the streusel. It’s truly a labor of love that yields an incredibly rewarding result.
How to Make an Easy Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake from Scratch
Crafting a delicious homemade cinnamon crumb coffee cake doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe simplifies the process while ensuring incredible flavor and texture. We’ll start by preparing the irresistible streusel topping, then move on to the tender cake batter, and finally, layer them together for a perfect bake.
Getting Started: Prep Work is Key
Before you begin mixing, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Proper oven temperature is crucial for an even bake and golden-brown crust. Next, prepare your baking pan. A 9-inch round or square cake pan works beautifully. Line the bottom with parchment paper and generously coat the sides and parchment with a non-stick baking spray. This vital step ensures your coffee cake releases easily from the pan, preserving its beautiful crumb topping and moist interior.
Creating the Irresistible Streusel Topping
The streusel is the star of this cinnamon crumb coffee cake, providing that delightful crunch and spicy sweetness. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar (which adds a lovely molasses depth), ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a whisper of freshly grated nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. Then, pour in the melted butter. Using a fork, gently mix the butter into the dry ingredients until everything is moistened and the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs. Avoid overmixing; we want distinct crumbs, not a paste. Set this aside, as it will be layered into the cake.
Mixing the Perfectly Moist Coffee Cake Batter
Now, let’s create the foundation of our cinnamon crumb coffee cake: the incredibly moist and tender cake batter. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients for the cake: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These leavening agents are essential for achieving that light and airy texture. Set this bowl aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cake’s tender crumb. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother batter. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl periodically with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Once the eggs are in, stir in the vanilla extract, which enhances all the sweet flavors. Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients and sour cream in alternating additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. This method helps prevent overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough cake. Mix on low speed just until combined; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour. A light hand is key here!
Layering for Perfection: Batter and Streusel
The secret to the “ribboned with a gooey cinnamon middle” lies in the layering technique. Spoon approximately half of the thick cake batter into your prepared pan. Gently spread it into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Don’t worry if the batter seems a bit stiff; this is normal for a rich coffee cake. Evenly sprinkle about half of your prepared streusel mixture over this first layer of batter. Then, carefully spoon the remaining cake batter on top of the streusel layer and gently spread it out. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the streusel mixture over the top of the cake, ensuring good coverage. Gently press the crumb topping into the cake batter with your hands or a spoon. This helps the streusel adhere and creates that beautiful, defined crumb layer after baking.
Baking and Cooling Your Masterpiece
Place your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. The cake is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid baking it for too long, as this can dry out the cake. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial step; allowing the cake to cool fully helps it set, makes it easier to slice, and allows the flavors to fully develop.
Serving Your Delicious Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
Once your homemade cinnamon crumb coffee cake has cooled, it’s time to slice and reward yourself with a piece of crumb cake heaven! This recipe is a real treat any time of the day – perfect for breakfast, a delightful addition to brunch, an impressive dessert, or simply a comforting snack. Serve it alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For an extra touch of decadence, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple vanilla glaze can be added before serving, though it’s absolutely fantastic on its own.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, cohesive batter and a more tender cake.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense cake rather than a light and fluffy one.
- Fresh Spices: Use fresh, fragrant ground cinnamon and consider grating fresh nutmeg for the streusel. The quality of your spices makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Proper Cooling: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. Slicing a warm coffee cake can cause the crumbs to crumble excessively and the cake to be too moist and potentially fall apart.
- Storage: Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze individual slices for a quick treat later on; simply thaw and warm gently.
Variations to Try
While this classic cinnamon crumb coffee cake recipe is perfect as is, you can always experiment with delightful variations:
- Nutty Streusel: Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to your streusel mixture for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Sweet Glaze: Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk or vanilla extract over the cooled cake for added sweetness and visual appeal.
- Fruit Infusion: For a fruity twist, consider adding a handful of fresh blueberries or thinly sliced apples (tossed with a little flour) to the cake batter. This pairs wonderfully with the cinnamon.
If you love fruit in your coffee cake, be sure to check out our delicious Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe!
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Recipe
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Recipe
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Coffee Cake Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch round or square baking pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and generously coating the parchment and sides of the pan with non-stick baking spray. Set the prepared pan aside.
Prepare the Streusel Topping
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until the dry ingredients are uniformly moistened and coarse crumbs form. Ensure the mixture is crumbly, not pasty. Set this streusel mixture aside.
Prepare the Cake Batter and Assemble
-
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1½ cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
-
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary to ensure even mixing. Stir in the vanilla extract. On low speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture, alternating it with the sour cream. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake tough.
-
Carefully spoon approximately half of the thick cake batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle half of the prepared streusel mixture evenly over this first layer of batter. Then, spoon the remaining cake batter on top of the streusel layer, gently spreading it out to cover. Finally, sprinkle the remaining streusel mixture evenly over the top of the cake. Gently press down on the crumb topping with your hands or a spoon to help it adhere to the batter.
-
Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine, but no wet batter). Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Why This Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake is a Must-Try
This homemade cinnamon crumb coffee cake stands out for several reasons. First, its balanced flavor profile means it’s sweet enough to feel like a treat, but not overly so, allowing the warm, aromatic cinnamon to truly shine. Second, the texture is simply unparalleled: a tender, moist cake that practically melts in your mouth, perfectly contrasted by the crisp, buttery streusel. The ‘gooey cinnamon middle’ isn’t just a marketing phrase; it’s a delightful reality, created by the streusel melting slightly into the cake as it bakes, forming a soft, spiced layer. This makes it an ideal choice for any gathering, from a casual family breakfast to a more formal holiday brunch.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Coffee Cake
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, this easy cinnamon crumb coffee cake recipe is designed for success. It delivers on all fronts: flavor, texture, and ease of preparation. The comforting aroma that will waft through your home as it bakes is just the beginning of the delightful experience. Once you taste a slice of this homemade goodness, you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a cherished favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to enjoy the best homemade coffee cake you’ve ever tasted. Don’t hesitate to share your creations and comments – we love hearing about your baking adventures!