Sometimes the simple things in life are the best, like this easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe.
Perfect for breakfast or dessert. Tender crumb texture with a cinnamon ribbon and sugary crumb topping. Better than Starbucks!
This homemade cinnamon swirl coffee cake is irresistible. Moist, tender, and the perfect blend of sugar and spice. It tastes like a cinnamon roll cake.
According to my husband, this is the best coffee cake recipe! I am on the fence, it is a close call between this and my pumpkin spice cake. They are both super easy to make.
I happen to think it makes a great breakfast cake. Do you eat cake for breakfast? I sure do. I also eat pumpkin donuts for breakfast, which happens to be topped with cinnamon sugar. So does my pumpkin latte.
There is just something about cinnamon that is so addictive. From the aroma in baking to the sweet taste in things like crunchy granola and cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream.
Speaking of donuts, these breakfast donuts are super healthy. Baked with oatmeal. A delicious way to start your day.
I still have my mom’s handwritten recipe for this cinnamon coffee cake made with sour cream. It does bring back wonderful memories and reminds me of how much I miss her cooking.
What’s In Coffee Cake?
Did you know there is a National Coffee Cake Day!
All you need for this quick cake recipe from scratch is:
- sour cream
- butter
- eggs
- vanilla
- sugar
- baking soda
- baking powder
- flour
- sugar
- and of course the magic brown sugar-cinnamon topping (a simple mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon)
Homemade Coffee Cake From Scratch
Most pantries will have these baking staples. The part I love about coffee cake recipes is that they are rustic and don’t require hours of decorating.
Step One: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl (except the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture). Pour half the batter into a prepared baking dish.
Step Two: Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
Step Three: Add the rest of the batter, and top with the remaining topping.
Step Four: Bake for approximately 40 minutes. The aroma is so deliciously enticing. The best way to make a house a home is with the smell of baking, just ask my husband.
Just look at that cinnamon poking through the crumb cake topping. So delicious.
My mom always baked this classic coffee cake in a round, clear glass Pyrex baking dish. Do you remember those? I still have some of her glass dishes.
I prefer to bake this in my stoneware dishes, and most often my cake is square. However you bake it, it always tastes delicious. If you are a coffee lover, try this paired with French Press Cold Brew!
Have you tried coffee yogurt? Perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
How long does coffee cake last? At room temperature, it will stay fresh for 1-2 days. Be sure to cover it with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. You can also keep it wrapped in the fridge for up to a week.
Can you freeze it? Absolutely. It will keep nicely for several months. Be sure to tightly wrap it in plastic, or foil and place it in a freezer bag.
If you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this old-school coffee cake recipe is a must-bake. It has been a family favourite for years. ENJOY!
Looking for more easy baking recipes?
- Give this polenta cake a try. The classic Italian cornmeal cake is sure to please. It is gluten-free too.
- This banana bread recipe only needs five ingredients. It freezes well too.
- Make the best banana cake you have ever eaten. A secret family recipe.
Best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
For the Topping:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Grease an 8-9 inch cake pan.
- Prepare topping in a bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar.
- Add the eggs.
- Mix in the sour cream.
- Add the vanilla.
- Add the baking powder and baking soda to the flour. Mix.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Scoop ½ of the batter into the pan.
- Sprinkle ½ of the topping mixture over the batter.
- Scoop remaining batter into pan.
- Sprinkle the rest of the topping.
- Bake for approximately 40 minutes depending size of pan.
- ENJOY!!
Lindsay Cotter
What a treasure to have your mother’s handwritten recipe! This cinnamon coffee cake is perfect for brunch during the holidays!
Homemade & Yummy
YES we love this and enjoy it often. The food memories are such a great thing…wish she was still here with us.
Chef Mireille
what a fabulous cake – I would love this with my evening cup of tea – There is nothing like a great coffee cake!
Homemade & Yummy
The classic recipes are still the best…no fuss and totally delicious.
Adriana Lopez Martin
What a delightful cake, cinnamon is my favorite spice and flavor. Every time we go to the coffee shop I enjoy my coffee with a slice of cinnamon coffee cake. I bet yours is fantastic looks moist and delectable.
Homemade & Yummy
I know…believe me this beats Starbucks hands down.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
This looks delicious! Love the cinnamony layer in the middle. I can only imagine the scent going through the house as this bakes. Would be so perfect right about now with a huge cuppa coffee 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Yup it sure does smell amazing while this bakes…and the perfect side to a cup of coffee.
Tracy Koslicki
Coffee cake has such a special place in my heart… it’s what my mom made for every holiday breakfast. Hers though did not have this much cinnamon – unfortunately! I can’t wait to make this for my girls, they both LOVE cinnamon!!
Homemade & Yummy
LOVE all the cinnamon in this cake…so delicious.
Tina
This looks yummy, and what a perfect cinnamon ribbon passing through it! I can just imagine this would be wonderful with some coffee on a cool morning! Can’t wait to try this out!
Homemade & Yummy
We can eat this any time of day (and certainly do). Hope you give this recipe a try.
Stef
I so want to try this cake! Coffee cake is my favorite!! I usually top mine with big fat crumbs, but your cinnamon sugar mixture looks wonderful and I love the swirl in the middle of the cake. Mmmm.
Homemade & Yummy
We LOVE this cake. So easy to make, and it tastes delicious too.
Michelle
That swirl makes it looks so darn good. I love coffee cake, it’s one of my favorite desserts
Homemade & Yummy
That little ribbon of goodness is the best part…especially if you can warm it up.
swathi
Beautiful cake recipe love the cinnamon. I haven’t made a coffee cake alone with cinnamon, I think I will make this may be add some apple.
Homemade & Yummy
You really need to give this super easy recipe at try.
Catherine
Gloria, your coffee cake looks absolutely marvelous! What a warm and delicious treat. I’d love this in the mornings especially.
Homemade & Yummy
The BEST with your morning coffee….and I love cake for breakfast!
Marisa Franca
I wanted to let you know that I made the coffee cake and took it to my daughter’s house. Their family gobbled it up. It was as fantastic as you said. The cinnamon was so fragrant and the cake was just sweet enough.
Homemade & Yummy
AWWW…thanks so much for letting me know. So glad your family loved it…just like mine does.
Jenni LeBaron
I love coffee cake because it’s equally good for dessert, tea, and even brunch! This looks like a great, fluffy recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
The best of both worlds….and many more. ENJOY!!
Eileen Kelly
I love that you have your Mom’s handwritten recipe for coffee cake! Having the memories of our family and recipes to make always are the best! This is such a great recipe to follow for a delicious coffee cake! I also have glass baking vessels of my Grandmas! I am pinning this one, perfect for our family Thanksgiving brunch too!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…and family recipes do hold a special place in our hearts for sure.
Jess
This looks so fluffy and sweet! Perfect for a weekend breakfast! I simply can’t wait to try it!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this easy and delicious recipe a try soon. Brunch perfection for sure.
Traci
Yummm, I love how gorgeous and easy this recipe is! You’re so lucky to have the great memories associated with this one. And when it comes to cake, there’s nothing better than the one with sour cream! I need to add this to my fall and winter baking “to do” list. This one’s a keeper! Sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…..family food memories are the best. We enjoy this all year long in our house.