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!!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Coffee Cakes were a mainstay at our house and Grandma’s house growing up. The simplicity of this cake honestly brought the biggest smile to my face. And that first bite – felt like home! Such an amazing cake!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Food memories are the best. ENJOY!
Amy Liu Dong
I’ve seen many cinnamon concepted foods and this is one of those who stands out for me. It gives me a nostalgia when i eat this. I already made it using this recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I know it sure brings back memories for me….so good.
veenaazmanov
I love the way you have described this delicious treat. The Cinnamon Coffee Cake combination sounds yummy. Would love to try it for this Easter season.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy, this coffee cake is wonderful for any day.
Elizabeth
Coffee cake is one of my favorites. This recipe is delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome, this has been in the family for years. Always a hit.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
I haven’t had a good coffee cake in years! Until now. The cinnamon is so tasty without being over powering. It’s so sweet and delicious and totally perfect in the morning with coffee!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
My kind of breakfast for sure….enjoy!
DJ
I just made this and had a piece with my morning coffee. Pretty darn good!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love eating coffee cake for breakfast!!
Alexandra
What a delicious cake! Cinnamon is one of the best flavours, and I love the beautiful swirl through the middle of the cake. Perfect to serve with a cup of tea or coffee.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Isn’t is a pleasure when simple things are so enjoyable.
Padma
You’re so right – sometimes the simplest things are the best. This one made my day 🙂 thank you!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome, enjoy!
Dina Royer
This was one of the best coffee cakes I have tasted! Super moist and received tons of compliments from old and young alike! You won’t be disappointed!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love this coffee cake for breakfast with my coffee.
Mary Bostow
Sometimes all a girl wants for breakfast is cake. With both sour cream and butter in the recipe this cake can’t help but be amazing. And ya, you nailed the cinnamon ribbon through the center, great cake!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…this is the perfect breakfast cake.
Karyl Henry
I can’t tell you the last time I had coffee cake, but you’re right…it’s the perfect cake for breakfast! Yours looks so delicious, and I love the cinnamon swirled through the middle. Looks so divine, and perfect with a cup of coffee
Homemade & Yummy
You really have to love the simple recipes in life that are so delicious.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum!! This coffee cake look like the perfect fall dessert. Love the filling in the middle!
Homemade & Yummy
We happen to think it is perfect ALL year long.
Julie
Cinnamon is such a good flavor in baked goods, but I hate that it’s so often overshadowed by other flavors (like cream cheese frosting… yuck.) Love that it gets to shine in this coffee cake!
Homemade & Yummy
Cinnamon is the star of the show here that is for sure. Doesn’t have to be complicated to taste good.
Leslie Haasch
Cinnamon coffee cake is one of my favorite breakfast foods. It’s filling and the cinnamon just makes everything so cozy!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…and the aroma as it bakes is wonderful too.
lauren
If I could get away with it, I’d slice that crunch sugar cinnamon crust right off the top, hide in a closet and eat it by myself. This coffee cake looks so incredibly moist though, I wouldn’t want to miss out on that!
Homemade & Yummy
Well at least the ribbon of goodness in the middle of the cake would still be there LOL.