Quick & Fluffy Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake with Crunchy Topping Recipe

Cinnamon swirl coffee cake revolutionizes ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Warm, fragrant spices dance through layers of tender crumb, creating a sensory experience that beckons you closer.

Soft, moist textures blend seamlessly with sweet, crackly cinnamon ribbons that wind through each delectable slice.

Rich butter and delicate spices collaborate, producing a heavenly aroma that fills kitchen spaces with comfort and anticipation.

Buttery crumbles crown this delightful treat, adding delightful crunch and complexity to every bite.

Homemade goodness emerges from simple ingredients, promising a connection to traditional baking that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Weekend breakfast dreams come alive with this irresistible sweet companion that elevates morning routines.

Why Cinnamon Coffee Cake Is a Breakfast Win

• Delightful Layered Experience: Indulge in a cake that offers multiple flavor dimensions with its cinnamon-infused filling and crunchy streusel topping, creating a symphony of tastes and textures in every single bite.
• Effortless Baking Triumph: Designed for both novice and experienced bakers, this recipe provides simple steps and accessible ingredients that guarantee a professional-looking dessert with minimal kitchen stress.
• Comfort-Packed Breakfast Companion: Perfect for weekend mornings, holiday gatherings, or casual coffee breaks, this cake transforms an ordinary moment into a warm, inviting celebration of sweet comfort and aromatic spices.

Ingredients That Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake Sing

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake base.
• White Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and moisture to the cake.
• Butter: Creates richness and helps with cake's tenderness.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Sour Cream: Enhances moisture and creates a tender texture.

• Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice throughout the cake.
• Brown Sugar: Creates sweet and rich cinnamon filling.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle warm and aromatic depth to the flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and complexity.
• Optional Cocoa Powder: Adds optional depth to the cinnamon filling.

• Flour: Creates crumbly texture for the streusel topping.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness to the streusel.
• Brown Sugar: Provides rich caramel-like notes to the topping.
• Optional Turbinado Sugar: Gives extra crunch and caramel flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Butter: Helps bind streusel and adds richness.

How to Make Crunch-Topped Coffee Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray with cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Streusel Topping

• Flour
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Turbinado sugar (optional)
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Drizzle melted butter over the mix and stir until it becomes delightfully clumpy. Pop this mixture in the fridge to chill out while you prep the rest.

Step 3: Whip Up Cinnamon Magic Filling

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa powder (optional)
• Nutmeg

Mix until everything is perfectly combined and fragrant.

Step 4: Mix the Dreamy Cake Batter

• Butter
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, making sure each one plays nicely with the others. Gradually mix in of flour, then pour in milk and sour cream. Gently fold in the remaining flour, mixing just until everything comes together.

Step 5: Build Your Cake Masterpiece

Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling across the surface like a delicious blanket. Carefully cover with the remaining batter, spreading gently. Crown your creation by scattering the chilled streusel topping across the top.

• Oven temperature: 350°F
• Pan size: 9 x 13 x 2-inch
• Pro tip: Let the cake cool slightly before slicing to keep those beautiful layers intact

Tips for Tender Coffee Cake with Swirl

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure the perfect cake texture and balanced flavors.
• Soften Strategically: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more homogeneous batter.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir the flour just until combined to prevent a tough, dense cake texture.
• Chill Streusel Thoroughly: Refrigerate the topping mixture for at least 15 minutes to help it become extra crispy and clumpy when baked.
• Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs to indicate perfect baking.

Storing Cinnamon Coffee Cake for Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Keeping it in the refrigerator maintains moisture and preserves the delicate texture.
• Room Temperature: For short-term storage, leave the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days. Place it in a covered cake carrier or wrap loosely with plastic wrap to protect from dust and maintain freshness.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This gentle warming method helps restore the cake's soft texture and enhances the cinnamon flavor without drying out the cake.

Hot Drinks to Serve with Coffee Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this cinnamon swirl cake with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that complements the cake's warm spices and brings out its sweet, buttery notes.
• Elevate with Creamy Indulgence: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance the cake's warmth and add a luxurious, cool contrast.
• Breakfast Bliss Combo: Match this cake with a crisp apple cider or a smooth chai latte to enhance the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, creating a cozy morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
• Sweet Ending Ritual: Enjoy with a glass of dessert wine like a Moscato or a light cream liqueur to round out the cake's richness and provide a sophisticated touch to your dessert experience.

Cinnamon Cake Variations That Work Well

• Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Cake: Replace the cinnamon filling with a layer of mini chocolate chips mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon for a rich, decadent variation.
• Nutty Autumn Version: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping and sprinkle extra nuts between cake layers for added crunch and warmth.
• Apple Cinnamon Swirl: Fold finely diced fresh apples into the cake batter and add a light dusting of apple pie spice to complement the existing cinnamon flavor profile.
• Orange Zest Infusion: Mix fresh orange zest into the cake batter and add a hint of orange extract to brighten the classic cinnamon flavor, creating a citrusy undertone.

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake With Crunchy Topping Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible cinnamon swirl coffee cake brings warmth from classic American kitchens, blending rich buttery layers with swirling cinnamon ribbons. Crisp crumb topping and sweet glaze complete this comforting slice that will make breakfast or afternoon tea feel like a delightful celebration.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cup milk
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
• 2 tablespoons Turbinado sugar (optional)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional)

Leavening Agents:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and thoroughly coat a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent cake from adhering to the surface.
2. Create the crumbly streusel topping by combining all-purpose flour, granulated white sugar, dark brown sugar, optional raw Turbinado sugar, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle melted unsalted butter over the dry ingredients, stirring until the mixture forms coarse, irregular clusters. Refrigerate the topping to maintain its texture.
3. Prepare the aromatic cinnamon filling by whisking together dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, optional dutch-processed cocoa powder, and a pinch of ground nutmeg until the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
4. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream room temperature unsalted butter with granulated white sugar, dark brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and significantly increased in volume.
5. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next. Gradually introduce of all-purpose flour at low speed, then alternate adding milk and sour cream. Fold in the remaining flour, mixing only until the batter appears uniform.
6. Transfer half of the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Uniformly distribute the cinnamon filling across the initial batter layer. Gently cover with the remaining cake batter, taking care not to disturb the underlying filling.
7. Retrieve the chilled streusel topping and generously sprinkle it over the cake’s surface, creating a textured, crumbly crown that will become golden and crisp during baking.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the top develops a rich, amber-brown coloration.

Notes

• Baking Prep Matters: Properly spray the pan with cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking and ensure an easy, clean release after baking.
• Sugar Blend Magic: The combination of white and brown sugars creates a rich, deep sweetness that elevates the cake’s overall flavor profile.
• Mixing Technique Tip: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy to achieve a tender, moist cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Layering Secrets: Carefully layer the cinnamon filling between cake batter to create beautiful swirls and intense cinnamon flavor throughout.
• Streusel Chilling Trick: Refrigerating the streusel topping helps it maintain a crumbly texture and prevents it from becoming too soft during baking.
• Gentle Mixing Rule: Mix flour just until combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten, which can make the cake tough and dense.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg