Imagine sinking your teeth into a tender, buttery cake, perfectly spiced and topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel. This coffee cake recipe is a time-tested classic, delivering a slice of pure comfort in every bite.
This melt-in-your-mouth coffee cake is the perfect treat, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A delightful balance of sweet cake, warm spices, and a buttery, cinnamon-infused crumb topping.
- Textures: Tender, moist cake with a crunchy, crumbly topping.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, including baking time.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; a perfect recipe for home bakers of all skill levels.
What You’ll Need
To create this delectable coffee cake, you’ll need basic baking staples, including flour, sugar, and butter. The aromatic warmth comes from cinnamon and the simplicity from the combination of wet and dry ingredients. A streusel topping adds a delightful crunch.
Ingredient Notes
- All-purpose flour – Provides the structure for the cake and streusel topping.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to both the cake and the streusel topping.
- Baking powder – The leavening agent that helps the cake rise.
- Salt – Enhances the flavors of all other ingredients.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness, moisture, and flavor to both the cake and the streusel.
- Large eggs – Provide structure, richness, and moisture to the cake.
- Milk – Adds moisture to the cake batter.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet flavor that complements the cinnamon.
- Brown sugar – Adds a molasses-like flavor and a bit of extra moisture to the streusel.
- Ground cinnamon – Infuses the coffee cake with its signature warmth and spice.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nuts: Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for added crunch and flavor.
- Citrus zest: Incorporate the zest of 1/2 lemon or orange into the batter for a bright, fresh twist.
- Spice variations: Experiment with other spices, such as nutmeg or cardamom, in addition to cinnamon.
How to Make Grandma’s Classic Coffee Cake
Let’s bake this delightful coffee cake, step by step.
First preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures the cake doesn’t stick and makes for easier removal once baked.
- Prepare the Streusel: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set this aside.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Then, pour the remaining batter over the streusel, and top with the remaining streusel.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Pro Tip: Be sure not to overmix the batter. This is the key to achieving a tender, light, and airy cake!
Recipe Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients. This helps them combine more easily and evenly.
- Don’t overmix the batter; mix until just combined for a tender crumb.
- Check for doneness with a wooden skewer.
- Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For an extra touch, let the cake cool completely before slicing to ensure the topping sets.
FAQs
- Can I use a different size baking pan? You can, but adjust baking time accordingly. A smaller pan might require a longer baking time.
- Can I make this coffee cake gluten-free? You can try a gluten-free flour blend. The results might vary but should still be delicious.
- Can I use a different type of milk? Yes, you can substitute the milk with almond milk or another dairy-free alternative.
- How do I store the coffee cake? Store the coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Coffee: Enjoy a slice of coffee cake with a warm cup of coffee, of course.
- Tea: Pairs wonderfully with a cup of black or herbal tea.
- Ice cream: Serve warm slices of coffee cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Fruit compote: Top the coffee cake with a homemade fruit compote made with berries or apples.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This coffee cake is perfect for making ahead! Both the cake itself and the streusel can be prepared in advance. Make the streusel the day before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The baked cake can be stored for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze the uncut cake in a tightly sealed container for up to a month.
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Grandma’s Classic Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Description
Imagine sinking your teeth into a tender, buttery cake, perfectly spiced and topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel. This coffee cake recipe is a time-tested classic, delivering a slice of pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp baking powder
4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
Cinnamon Topping
3/4 cup of the reserved cake batter
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures the cake doesn’t stick and makes for easier removal once baked.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set this aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Then, pour the remaining batter over the streusel, and top with the remaining streusel.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients. This helps them combine more easily and evenly.
Don’t overmix the batter; mix until just combined for a tender crumb.
Check for doneness with a wooden skewer.
Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
For an extra touch, let the cake cool completely before slicing to ensure the topping sets.
- Cook Time: 35-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
