Soft, buttery and homemade, this cinnamon streusel coffee cake is the kind of bake that makes a slow morning feel special. A tender sour cream cake hides a ribbon of cinnamon streusel through the middle, gets a generous crumb topping, and finishes with a simple drizzle of vanilla glaze.
It's perfect for breakfast, brunch or a cozy treat anytime, and it all comes together in one 9 x 9-inch pan.
Why you'll love this coffee cake
- Cinnamon in every bite. A layer of streusel in the middle makes a cinnamon ribbon, and more streusel on top makes a crumbly, golden crust.
- Soft and tender. Sour cream keeps every slice soft.
- A sweet vanilla finish. A quick three-ingredient glaze drizzled over the cooled cake.
- Simple pantry ingredients. Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, sour cream and cinnamon.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon streusel
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla glaze
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
How to make cinnamon streusel coffee cake
- Prep the pan. Heat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 9-inch pan.
- Make the streusel. Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the melted butter until crumbly, then set it aside.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream and vanilla.
- Combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until combined. Don't overmix.
- Layer it. Spread half the batter in the pan and sprinkle about ⅓ of the streusel over it. Add the remaining batter, then top with the rest of the streusel.
- Bake. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few soft crumbs. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Glaze. Mix the powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk and the vanilla. Add a little more milk if needed, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
Tip: Once the flour goes in, stir only until you can't see dry streaks. Overmixing makes the cake tougher.
Quick notes
- Don't overmix after adding the flour.
- Sour cream keeps the cake soft and tender.
- The center streusel layer adds a cinnamon ribbon as well as the crumb topping.
- Let the cake cool before glazing so the glaze stays in pretty drizzles.
Cinnamon streusel coffee cake FAQ
How do I know when the coffee cake is done?
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few soft crumbs.
Why is there streusel in the middle?
Sprinkling about a third of the streusel between the two layers of batter gives you a cinnamon ribbon through the cake, on top of the crumb topping.
Why use sour cream?
Sour cream keeps the cake soft and tender.
When should I add the glaze?
After the cake has cooled for at least 20 minutes. Start with 1 tbsp of milk and add a little more only if the glaze is too thick to drizzle.
What pan size do I need?
A 9 x 9-inch pan, greased. It makes 9 to 12 servings.
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More from the kitchen
Baking for a crowd? Pair this with our caramel apple pie with sweet crumble topping or a pan of deep chocolate fudgy brownies. And for a warm cup to enjoy with your slice, browse our Cozy Kitchen & Tea Time collection.