Description
This Classic Coffee Cake is a moist, tender cake layered with a buttery cinnamon streusel topping. Perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla and sour cream, it’s a delightful treat ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack alongside your favorite cup of coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the coffee cake after baking.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside the streusel topping.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the softened butter, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined and smooth, ensuring the batter develops a tender texture.
- Assemble the Coffee Cake: Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Then spread the remaining batter over the streusel layer and sprinkle the remaining streusel on top to create a layered effect.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the coffee cake to cool within the baking dish before slicing and serving to let the flavors set and the cake to firm up for easier handling.
Notes
- Make sure butter for the batter is softened but not melted to achieve the right texture.
- Cold butter for the streusel topping ensures a crumbly texture.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the streusel for added crunch.
- Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheat slices gently in a microwave or oven to regain freshness.
