Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Coffee Cake wafting through your kitchen. This classic, moist, and buttery cake boasts a sweet ribbon of cinnamon streusel right in the middle, a golden crumb topping, and just the right amount of sweet drizzle to tie it all together. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, dessert, or simply as a treat alongside your afternoon coffee, this Coffee Cake is destined to become a cherished favorite in your home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to Coffee Cake bliss. With a mix of pantry staples, this recipe comes together quickly, yet each component adds its own magic—think rich buttermilk for moisture, sweet brown sugar for depth, and, of course, a generous dusting of cinnamon for that signature flavor.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, flour creates a tender yet sturdy crumb that holds everything together beautifully.
Baking powder: Adds lift to your Coffee Cake, ensuring it turns out perfectly fluffy every time.
Baking soda: Works with the acidic buttermilk to give your cake extra rise and tenderness.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every other flavor in the cake.
Melted butter: Brings rich, buttery flavor and moisture to the cake base.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
Buttermilk: Gives the cake its signature moist texture and a subtle tang.
Streusel filling – Softened butter: Makes the cinnamon swirl ultra-lush and melt-in-your-mouth.
Streusel filling – Cinnamon: The essential flavor for that classic Coffee Cake warmth.
Streusel filling – All-purpose flour: Adds texture and body to the streusel ribbon.
Streusel filling – Brown sugar: Introduces deep, caramelly sweetness to the swirl.
Crumb topping – Light brown sugar: Sweetens the topping and adds a beautiful golden hue.
Crumb topping – All-purpose flour: Helps create big, bakery-style crumb clumps.
Crumb topping – Cinnamon: Infuses the topping with fragrant spice.
Crumb topping – Butter (cubed): Makes the topping crisp and deliciously rich.
Crumb topping – Salt: A tiny pinch takes the flavor over the top.
Drizzle topping – Powdered sugar: For that sweet, picture-perfect finish.
Drizzle topping – Milk: Turns the sugar into a smooth, pourable glaze.

How to Make Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by heating your oven to 375 degrees F, so it’s hot and ready when you are. For easy removal and cleanup, you can line your 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, but a simple greasing with butter or non-stick spray will do the trick, too. This step ensures your Coffee Cake releases perfectly every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This blend forms the cake’s base and ensures that all your leaveners and seasonings are evenly distributed, setting you up for consistent flavor and texture in every bite.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

Grab a separate, medium bowl for the wet stuff. Mix together the melted butter, egg, and buttermilk. Make sure your egg and buttermilk are at room temperature to keep your batter light and fluffy rather than dense.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Take care not to over-mix—the less you stir, the more tender your Coffee Cake crumb will be! You’re aiming for a thick, silky batter.

Step 5: Assemble Streusel Filling

In a small bowl, use a fork to combine the softened butter, cinnamon, flour, and brown sugar (and chopped nuts, if you like a little crunch). This becomes your cinnamon-packed inner swirl—think of it as the hidden treasure!

Step 6: Layer the Batter and Streusel

Pour half of your lovely batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth it out. Sprinkle the entire bowl of streusel filling evenly over the batter, then carefully spoon and spread the remaining cake batter on top, creating a delicious sandwich of cake and cinnamon swirl.

Step 7: Add the Crumb Topping

To make the iconic crumb layer, cut cold butter into cubes and mix it with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Work it together with a fork or pastry blender until you have big, buttery crumbs. Then, scatter this mixture evenly over the cake batter.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing! Once baked, let the Coffee Cake cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes, then lift it out of the pan and allow it to cool completely before icing.

Step 9: Finish with Drizzle Topping

For the grand finale, combine the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Add more milk if needed. Using a spoon, artistically drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake—this not only looks beautiful but adds a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth touch.

How to Serve Coffee Cake

Garnishes

Enhance your Coffee Cake experience by adding a few thoughtful garnishes. A dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a handful of toasted nuts on top of the drizzle will add both flavor and visual appeal. For a special touch, serve each slice with a curl of lemon or orange zest for a subtle pop of brightness.

Side Dishes

Coffee Cake pairs perfectly with everything from fresh seasonal berries to creamy Greek yogurt. For a heartier breakfast, consider plating it alongside fluffy scrambled eggs or a vibrant fruit salad. And of course, a hot cup of coffee or tea turns it into a complete, cozy treat!

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Coffee Cake into generous squares and stack them on a rustic serving board for family-style sharing, or use a ring mold to shape individual portions for an elegant brunch presentation. Tiny cubes can be served in cupcake liners as Coffee Cake “bites” for parties and potlucks—don’t be afraid to get creative!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extra Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want it to last a bit longer, store it in the fridge where it will stay moist and flavorful for up to five days. Just make sure it’s sealed to prevent drying out.

Freezing

Coffee Cake is a dream for make-ahead bakers! Simply wrap cooled slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or let the slices come to room temperature on the counter before serving.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop individual Coffee Cake slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds. For larger portions, a brief stint in a 300-degree oven will revive the crumb and bring out the flavors. Don’t forget an extra drizzle of fresh glaze, if you love it gooey!

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, simply add a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk (about 1 tablespoon per cup) and let it sit for 5 minutes to mimic the tangy richness that buttermilk gives this Coffee Cake.

What’s the best way to keep the streusel layer from sinking?

For a perfect streusel ribbon, make sure the first half of your batter covers the bottom of the pan fully and sprinkle the filling evenly. Gently spoon the remaining batter over the filling rather than pouring, so it creates a nice layer on top.

Can I bake this Coffee Cake in advance?

Absolutely! Coffee Cake actually tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have melded. It’s a wonderful bake-ahead option for brunches or holidays—just wrap it well to keep it fresh.

Is this Coffee Cake recipe nut-free?

As written, this recipe contains no nuts unless you choose to add them to the streusel. If allergies are a concern, simply leave out the optional chopped nuts—the cake will still be dreamy and delicious.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Yes, just double every ingredient and bake in a 9×13-inch dish. The Coffee Cake may need a few extra minutes in the oven, so keep an eye and test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat, this Coffee Cake truly delivers every time. It’s the kind of recipe everyone asks for after just one bite! I hope you try it soon and share it with people you love—coffee optional, but always recommended.