The Cozy Comfort of Home-Baked Goodness
Remember those mornings, the smell of something sweet baking, hinting at a special treat? That’s exactly the feeling we’re bringing back today with a classic comfort food that’s deceptively simple to make. Get ready to wrap yourself in the warmth of home with this incredible Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an experience waiting to unfold in your kitchen.
Why Make This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: This cake offers a perfect marriage of buttery cake, sweet cinnamon, and a crunchy streusel topping.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It is ideal for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon treat, or even a simple dessert.
- Easily Achievable: This is a straightforward recipe that even novice bakers can master with confidence.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Your family and friends will love this cake.
- The Aroma: Your home will smell absolutely divine as this Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake bakes!
Ingredients of: Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
For the Moist Coffee Cake Batter:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Large eggs
- Milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- Vanilla extract
For the Irresistible Cinnamon Swirl:
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Melted unsalted butter
For the Crumbly Streusel Topping:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed
Directions of: Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Prepare Your Pan and Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Craft the Crumbly Streusel:
- Combine dry streusel ingredients in a bowl.
- Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Set this aside.
Mix the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Stir in melted butter until a thick paste forms. Set this aside.
Create the Velvety Cake Batter:
- Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt) in a bowl.
- Cream softened butter and sugar in another bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
Assemble and Swirl:
- Spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Dollop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it in.
- Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the swirled layer.
- Dollop the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture and swirl again.
- Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the entire cake.
Bake to Golden Perfection:
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Enjoy:
- Let the Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before you slice and serve it.
How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
- Enjoy it with a glass of cold milk.
- Serve it alongside a fresh fruit medley (like berries or sliced peaches).
Delicious Drizzles:
- Add a simple vanilla glaze (made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract).
- Use a cream cheese glaze.
- Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top.
How to Store Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Store leftover coffee cake at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate it for longer freshness.
Tips to Make Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps create a smoother, more combined batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until just combined.
- Gentle Swirling: Swirl the cinnamon mixture gently. You want defined streaks, not a fully mixed brown batter.
- Patience is Key: Allow the Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake to cool slightly before slicing. This helps with cleaner cuts and better flavor.
Variation
Creative Variations to Your Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake:
- Nutty Swirl: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel or cinnamon swirl mix.
- Apple Cinnamon: Fold finely diced apple into the batter for an autumn twist.
- Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the batter or swirl.
- Thicker Cake: For an even richer, tangier cake, swap out some of the milk for sour cream or Greek yogurt.
FAQs
Can I make this Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can bake the entire **Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake** a day in advance. Store it at room temperature in an airtight container. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend.
What kind of pan is best for Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake?
A 9×13 inch baking pan is ideal for this recipe. You can also use a 9 or 10-inch round springform pan. Baking times may vary slightly. Just make sure the pan is well-greased and floured.
How do I get a really defined cinnamon swirl in my coffee cake?
The key is to dollop the cinnamon mixture rather than spreading it. Then, use a knife or skewer to gently create S-shapes or figure-eights. Be careful not to over-mix it into the batter. This will help maintain those beautiful streaks in your **Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake**.
Classic Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
This classic cinnamon swirl coffee cake features a moist, tender crumb, a delightful cinnamon sugar swirl, and a buttery streusel topping, making it a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- medium bowl
- pastry blender
- small bowl
- whisk
- large bowl
- knife or skewer
- wooden skewer
- wire rack
Ingredients
For the Moist Coffee Cake Batter:
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 2 Large eggs
- 1 cup Milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
For the Irresistible Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Melted unsalted butter
For the Crumbly Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Cold unsalted butter cubed
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Cut in cubed cold butter until coarse crumbs form, then set aside.
- For the cinnamon swirl, whisk together brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter until a thick paste forms and set aside.
Create the Velvety Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another large bowl, cream softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the two large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, alternating with milk and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
Assemble and Bake
- Spread half of the prepared cake batter evenly into the baking pan.
- Dollop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter and gently swirl it in using a knife or skewer.
- Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the first swirled layer.
- Dollop the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture on top and swirl it gently once more.
- Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the entire cake.
- Bake the cake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Enjoy
- Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For the richest flavor, use whole milk in the cake batter. Ensure your butter for the streusel is very cold and cubed for the best crumbly texture. Do not overmix the cake batter to keep it tender and moist.