There’s something special about the aroma of a freshly baked Coffee Cake wafting through the kitchen. This delightful treat is perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying during a cozy morning at home. With its tender crumb and a sweet, cinnamon-swirled filling, this Coffee Cake will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Let’s dive into the details of how to create this delicious masterpiece!
Why Cooks Rave About It
Cooks everywhere rave about Coffee Cake for a multitude of reasons. It’s the ultimate blend of flavors and textures: a moist and buttery cake, a sweet cinnamon layer, and a crumbly topping that’s simply irresistible. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea, it’s the kind of cake that brings people together. Plus, it’s versatile! You can easily add fruits or nuts to customize it to your taste.
What We’re Using
For this delectable Coffee Cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Setup & Equipment
To get started on your Coffee Cake, you’ll need a few kitchen essentials:
- Mixing bowls: For combining ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accuracy in your baking.
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: For creaming the butter and sugar together.
- 9×13 inch baking pan: The perfect size for baking this cake.
- Cooling rack: To cool the cake after it’s out of the oven.
Make Coffee Cake: A Simple Method
Ready to bake? Let’s break it down into simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
In a bowl, combine 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter (at room temperature) and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Sour Cream
Add 4 large eggs (one at a time) to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then, add 1 1/2 cups of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 6: Assemble the Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13 inch baking pan. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling mixture evenly over the batter, then pour the remaining batter on top, smoothing it out again.
Step 7: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Glaze
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely. For a finishing touch, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream, and 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cake for a sweet finish.
Flavor-Forward Alternatives
If you’re looking to switch things up, consider these flavor-forward alternatives for your Coffee Cake:
- Swirl in some fresh fruit like blueberries or raspberries for a burst of flavor.
- Add nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for a delightful crunch.
- Incorporate chocolate chips for a rich twist.
- Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom for a unique flavor profile.
- Top with streusel made from oats and brown sugar for an extra crunch.
Testing Timeline
If you’re wondering how long the baking process will take, here’s a quick timeline:
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Baking time: 45-50 minutes
- Cooling time: 30 minutes
- Total time: About 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish
Prep Ahead & Store
To make your baking experience even easier, consider these prep-ahead tips:
You can prepare the batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Just make sure to bring it back to room temperature before baking. The Coffee Cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze slices for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying!
Popular Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but note that the texture may be denser. You might want to use a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for better results.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend to replace regular flour. Just ensure that the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
How can I tell when the Coffee Cake is done baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, it needs more time in the oven.
Can I add a crumb topping to my Coffee Cake?
Definitely! A crumb topping made from flour, butter, and brown sugar adds a delicious crunch. Just mix together equal parts flour and brown sugar with melted butter and sprinkle it on top before baking.
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Serve & Enjoy
Now that you’ve made your Coffee Cake, it’s time to enjoy it! Serve it warm or at room temperature, and don’t forget to pour yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea to accompany this delightful treat. Whether you’re hosting friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in a sweet moment with family, this Coffee Cake will surely impress and satisfy. Enjoy every crumb!
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Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cake Batter:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Make Coffee Cake: A Simple Method
- Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling. In a bowl, combine 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
- Step 2: Make the Cake Batter. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter (at room temperature) and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Step 4: Add the Eggs and Sour Cream. Add 4 large eggs (one at a time) to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then, add 1 1/2 cups of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Step 6: Assemble the Cake. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9x13 inch baking pan. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling mixture evenly over the batter, then pour the remaining batter on top, smoothing it out again.
- Step 7: Bake. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: Cool and Glaze. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely. For a finishing touch, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream, and 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cake for a sweet finish.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Cooling rack
Notes
- You can prepare the batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator.
- Store the Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze slices for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
