Coffee Cake

This cinnamon brown sugar sour cream coffee cake is made with a buttery cake layered with a brown sugar cinnamon layer and topped with a streusel topping and a sweet glaze. The best coffee cake recipe perfect for breakfast or brunch.

I grew up eating coffee cake for any special occasion. Every single Christmas morning, we would wake up to the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon coffee cake filling the kitchen. We always paired it with a Bacon Egg and Cheese Casserole and egg nog and it was the perfect Christmas breakfast in my eyes.

The combination of warm spices, a tender cake crumb, and a perfectly moist texture makes it a classic breakfast recipe.

Why this is the Best Coffee Cake Recipe Ever:

This is the best coffee cake recipe! It all starts with a moist, tender cake made with butter and sour cream to make it stay moist. Sour cream is a star ingredient in coffee cake.

The brown sugar streusel is layered in the center of the coffee cake and on the top so give it that rich buttery, brown sugar cinnamon flavor all throughout the cake.

Then it is topped with a simple sweet vanilla glaze that gives it a delicious sweetness.

You will love this easy homemade coffee cake recipe!

Easy Coffee Cake Ingredients:

This cinnamon sugar coffee cake is made with delicious ingredients — butter, sugar, sour cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.

Coffee Cake:

• Butter — I suggest using unsalted butter. If using salted butter, just reduce the salt by 1/2 teaspoon.
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla
• Sour Cream — I suggest using full-fat sour cream in this recipe.
• Flour
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt

Streusel Topping:

This streusel topping is sprinkled all over the middle of the coffee cake and on the top.

• Butter
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Flour
• Pecans

Vanilla Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste

How to make Homemade Cinnamon Coffee Cake:

This is such an easy coffee cake recipe! The cake batter is very thick, which is how it should be!

1. Make the Streusel Topping. In small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the buter with a pastry blender until the crumbs are the size of small peas. Add the pecans. You may also make this in a food processor and just pulse several times. Place in the freezer to stay cold while making the batter.
2. Make the Coffee Cake Batter. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl often. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in vanilla extract and sour cream and mix until creamy. Fold in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
3. Bake. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour half of the batter into the pan and spread out. THIS BATTER IS THICK! A trick would be to grease your hands and press the batter down with your hands. Sprinkle HALF of the streusel over half of the cake batter. Top with the remaining cake batter and spread to the edges. Sprinkle with the remaining streusel.
4. Do NOT Overbake. Watch the cake carefully and do a test with a cake tester or toothpick into the center of the cake to check for doneness. Once it is done baking, remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
5. Make the Vanilla Glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. After the cake has cooled for 15 minutes, drizzle glaze all over the coffee cake.
6. Serve. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Coffee Cake FAQ’s:

How should Coffee Cake be stored?

This cinnamon crumb coffee cake recipe makes a deliciously moist and tender cake that stays fresh for days, if completely covered.

Can this coffee cake be frozen? Yes! I usually make it a week before Christmas and place in a freezer-safe container and freeze it until ready to serve.

1. Sour Cream Magic: The addition of sour cream to the batter is key to achieving a moist coffee cake. It adds richness and helps retain moisture during baking.
2. Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can lead to a tough texture. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined to maintain a tender crumb.
3. Precision in Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your coffee cake as it bakes. Every oven is different, and overbaking is the primary culprit for dry cakes.

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If you love cinnamon, check out my Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe.