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!!
Anne Murphy
All right, so baking anything with cinnamon makes the whole house smell wonderful! And this sounds as good as I know it smells… I love the swirl of topping in the middle!
Homemade & Yummy
This cake is addictive and does not last long here. I really need to make another one soon. One reason to ALWAYS have sour cream in the fridge.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
This coffee cake is seriously calling my name! It’s one of my favorite desserts and yours looks just perfect! I’m drooling!
Homemade & Yummy
We happen to think that it is perfect too. Hope you give this recipe a try. ENJOY!
Kiki Johnson
YES, bring in those cinnamon treats! I am ready for them! This coffee cake has just the right ration of streusel: cake and I cannot wait to try it myself!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…we sure do!!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch
Coffee cake was one of my favorite breakfasts when I was a kid! The topping is my favorite part. This looks amazing!
Homemade & Yummy
The topping and the middle ribbon of goodness is the best part.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
You’re right…it is hard to beat a great classic coffee cake like this! Sour cream makes them so tender.
Homemade & Yummy
I would love this right now with my morning coffee…I think I need to head into the kitchen.
April
I think I had this conversation with a friend of mine not so long ago about how all the great recipes are simple. I was arguing that unless you make it for a competition, the simpler the better. Well, this coffee cake is a great proof – it is simple and it is delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
Totally agree…if you can make it SIMPLE….it will be delicious.
Sherri
Why not eat cake for breakfast, right? This would be perfect with a cup of coffee relaxing by the fireplace on a chilly morning! So scrumptious! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
I know…when this is in the house…it is my breakfast choice for sure.
Chef Markus Mueller
Wow, this cinnamon coffee cake just looks fantastic, it’s like a cinnamon roll but in cake form!! Now who can’t get on board with that!?
Homemade & Yummy
HAHHA….yes and so much easier to make than cinnamon rolls.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I’d happily eat this any time of the day!
Homemade & Yummy
So would we. ENJOY!
Emily Leary
I love cinnamon – it’s so versatile and your Cinnamon Coffee Cake looks so delicious! It’s perfect for any time of day and how lovely that it was one of your mum’s recipes.
Homemade & Yummy
This has been in the family…and continues to be a favourie. So quick and easy to make too.
Stephanie Simmons
Oh my – I absolutely love coffee cake! This one looks incredibly tasty and easy to make! It would be great for our Halloween party!
Homemade & Yummy
This is a family favourite for sure. Hope you give it a try.
Mirlene
You are teasing me with this cake. I love coffee cake; and yes, I do eat cake for breakfast. I will try your recipe. Looks delicious.
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…you will love it …. we sure do.
Kari Heron
This looks like a simple, hearty cake with lots of simple and accessible ingredients, which means this is the perfect tea time snack or accompaniment to a weeknight or weekend dinner. What a lovely recipe. Loving the use of sour cream … I can see how moist it makes the crumb!
Homemade & Yummy
This is such an easy recipe to whip up any day of the week. The simple classic recipes are gold!!
Helen
This sounds so delicious – especially with that lovely layer of cinnamon in the middle. I do like this type of cake, all the focus on the flavour and no need to worry about the decoration.
Homemade & Yummy
YES….no fuss with this true classic coffee cake.
Donna
I am totally on board with anything cinnamon – that swirl and the topping just make this cake!! I might just have to indulge in some for breakfast 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Cinnamon is addictive, and so is this cake. Hope you give it a try one day.