This blog is sponsored by Wayfair. I partnered with Wayfair to create this blog post. This Coffee Crumb Cake recipe is the ultimate morning treat, perfect for breakfast or brunch! This cinnamon coffee cake is rich buttery with a moist, tender cake. Inside, there’s a delicious layer of sweet brown sugar cinnamon streusel, while the top features a crunchy, sugary crumb that makes every bite completely irresistible. The addition of sour cream adds a delightful richness to each bite, ensuring the cake is moist without being overly dense. With a thick swirl of cinnamon and an irresistible crumbly topping, this coffee crumb cake is a timeless classic that never disappoints.
This simple yet flavorful coffee cake is the perfect match for a hot cup of coffee and is sure to become your new favorite coffee cake recipe!
As some of you know, I recently rediscovered some of my mom’s old cookbooks. Among her treasured recipes (Special Cornbread Recipe, The Best Crunchy Crispy Chocolate Chip Recipe) was a sour cream coffee cake I have the fondest memories of. Her original recipe calls for a bundt pan, but I decided to bake it in my beautiful Staub pan (8″x 10″) instead. Sometimes, bundt cakes can turn out a bit dry, as the cake-to-crumb ratio doesn’t always work in their favor.
So, I made her recipe with a few tweaks: I added an incredibly delicious crumb topping and a drizzle of sweet icing to keep it moist and flavorful. I have to say, it turned out amazing! This sour cream coffee cake is simply the best—moist, rich, and absolutely to die for!
Holiday Mug | Striped Dish Towels | 5 Piece Utensil Set
SSet of Blue Staub Baking Dish
Set of Tartan Mugs | Mason Cash Bowls
Wayfair Black Friday Sale!
I’m excited to share that Wayfair’s Black Friday Sale offers select items up to 80% off, plus free shipping. I scored this gorgeous Staub baking dish set during their Black Friday sale! It’s stunning, adds a pretty touch to the table, and the quality is incredible. With the holidays coming up, you’ll want all three baking dishes for your special holiday meals!
These baking dishes are beautifully made and sturdy—you’ll love having a set! Plus, they’re stylish enough to go straight from oven to table. It doesn’t get better than that!
You’ll Love This Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
I love coffee cakes, but I’ve often been disappointed by how dry and plain they can turn out. Determined to fix that, I mixed things up using a different pan and added an irresistible, buttery crumb topping. The results? Amazing! This coffee cake is rich, moist, and full of flavor—it seriously tastes like something you’d find in an upscale pastry shop. I think you’re going to love this elevated twist on a classic!
So, let’s look at why you’ll love this coffee cake!
- Moist and Creamy Texture – Thanks to the sour cream, every bite is soft, moist, and creamy, keeping it from ever feeling dry.
- Rich Cinnamon Flavor—The cake has two layers of cinnamon sugar, so there’s a cozy, warm spice in every bite, perfect for coffee lovers.
- Irresistible Crumb Topping – Big chunks of sweet crumble on top add a delightful crunch, making this coffee cake a true treat.
- Perfect Sweetness – The icing, made from heavy cream and powdered sugar, balances out the cinnamon and crumb, adding just the right sweetness.
- Tender, Fluffy Cake Base – The cake is light and airy, with a delicate crumb that’s delicious and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Beautiful Layers in Every Slice – With two layers of cinnamon sugar swirled inside, every slice looks as good as it tastes, adding a touch of charm to the presentation.
- Comforting Homemade Taste – This coffee cake captures that warm, comforting homemade taste, making it a recipe you’ll reach for time and again.
How to Make This Old Fashioned Coffee Cake
Key Ingredients
- Butter – Adds richness and moisture to the cake, giving it a soft, tender crumb.
- Sugar – Sweetens the cake while helping create a light, fluffy texture when creamed with butter.
- Sour Cream – Keeps the cake moist and adds a slight tang, which complements the sweetness and balances flavors.
- Flour – The base of the cake provides structure and a light, soft texture.
- Baking Powder – Helps the cake rise, giving it a nice lift and a tender crumb.
- Baking Soda works with the sour cream to create extra lift and ensure the cake is light and airy.
- Salt – Enhances the flavors in the cake and balances the sweetness.
Cinnamon Swirl
- Cinnamon – Adds warmth and a cozy, aromatic spice essential to any classic coffee cake.
- Nutmeg – Enhances the cinnamon flavor with a subtle, earthy sweetness that adds depth to the swirl.
- Chopped Nuts – Brings a bit of crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the spices perfectly.
Crumb
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a crunchy texture on top.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to keep the crumb tender.
- Ground Cinnamon – Infuses the topping with warm, aromatic spice that’s perfect for a cozy coffee cake.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the crumb.
- Butter – Brings richness and helps bind the ingredients into delicious, chunky crumbles.
- Flour – Provides structure to the crumb, giving it that perfect, bakery-style texture.
Icing
- Heavy Cream – Adds a rich, creamy texture that blends perfectly to create a smooth icing.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the icing and dissolves easily to give it a silky finish.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 – Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your baking pan well and set it aside.
Step 2 – Prepare Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped nuts. Set this aside for layering in the cake.
Step 3 – Prepare Crumb Topping: In another bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, melted butter, and flour. Mix until crumbly, and set aside.
Step 4 – Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and one cup of sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 5 – Add Eggs and Sour Cream: Beat the eggs until well blended, then stir in the sour cream for added moisture and creaminess.
Step 6 – Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the butter mixture, beating until smooth.
Step 7 – Layer Batter and Cinnamon Mixture:
- Spread 1/3 of the batter into your prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cinnamon-nut mixture.
- Now it’s time to spread the second third of the batter on top. The cinnamon sugar layer might try to stick to the batter and lift a bit as you go, but don’t worry—just spread it as gently as you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Once you have the batter spread, add another 1/3 of the cinnamon-nut mixture.
- Spread the final third of the batter on top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-nut mixture.
Step 8 – Add Crumb Topping: Evenly spread the prepared crumb topping over the coffee cake batter.
Step 9 – Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note: Cover the coffee cake loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent the crumb topping from burning. This protects the topping while allowing the cake to finish baking without over-browning the crumb.
Step 10 – Cool the Cake: Let the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 11 – Make the Icing: In a bowl, mix together the heavy cream and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 12 – Drizzle Icing: Once the coffee cake has cooled, drizzle the icing on top for a sweet, finishing touch.
Coffee Crumb Cake (Sour Cream)
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped nuts
Crumb
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- â…“ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1½ cup flour
Cake Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- dash salt
Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 7 tsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your baking pan well and set it aside.
Prepare Cinnamon Swirl
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped nuts. Set this aside for layering in the cake.
Prepare Crumb Topping
- In another bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, melted butter, and flour. Mix until crumbly, and set aside.
Cake Batter
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs until well blended, then stir in the sour cream for added moisture and creaminess.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the butter mixture, beating until smooth.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Mixture
- Spread 1/3 of the batter into your prepared pan.Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cinnamon-nut mixture.Now it’s time to spread the second third of the batter on top. The cinnamon sugar layer might try to stick to the batter and lift a bit as you go, but don’t worry—just spread it as gently as you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Once the batter is spread, add another 1/3 of the cinnamon-nut mixture. Spread the final third of the batter on top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-nut mixture.
- Evenly spread the prepared crumb topping over the coffee cake batter.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note: To prevent the crumb topping from burning, cover the coffee cake loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This will protect the topping while allowing the cake to finish baking through without over-browning the crumb.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing
- Mix the heavy cream and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy in a bowl. Add less or more creamy to achieve the correct consistency for drizzling over the coffee cake.
- Once the coffee cake has cooled, drizzle the icing on top for a sweet, finishing touch.
Nutrition
Why is it called Coffee Cake
Coffee cake gets its name because it’s the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee—ideal for cozy morning or afternoon breaks!
It started in Europe as a simple, sweet cake that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. Unlike other cakes, coffee cake usually skips the frosting and goes for a crumbly streusel topping made from sugar, butter, and flour, which adds a delicious, light crunch.
You’ll often find cinnamon, nuts, or fruit in coffee cakes, giving them that extra cozy flavor. Funny enough, there’s no coffee in the cake itself; it’s just meant to be enjoyed with a good brew!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cake, resulting in a tender, moist crumb. Its acidity also helps activate baking soda, contributing to a better rise and lighter texture.
Yes, you can substitute sour cream with full-fat plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. These alternatives provide similar moisture and tanginess, though the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is done if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Overbaking can lead to a dry cake, so check a few minutes before the recommended baking time.
Absolutely! Mixing in fruits like blueberries or chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can enhance the flavor and texture of your coffee cake. Tossing fruits in some flour before adding them to the batter can help prevent them from sinking during baking.
Cover the coffee cake loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent the crumb topping from burning. This protects the topping while allowing the cake to finish baking without over-browning the crumb.
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days. For more extended storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
I’m thrilled to be partnering with Wayfair for the holidays! They’ve been such a great source of inspiration this winter, and I love being able to count on them for all my baking needs. And especially right now, they have some great Black Friday deals you won’t want to miss out on.
Speaking about shopping, for those who want to shop this post, look at my LiketoKnowIt account—here’s the link! I post all my Wayfair baking and home decor items on this account!
And finally, can I tempt you to make this fantastic coffee cake for your family this holiday season? I’m sure it’ll be a hit on Christmas morning, especially with a cozy cup of coffee or tea!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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Penny Thomas
What size pan would you recommend to make this?