There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake wafting through your kitchen, beckoning everyone to gather around for a slice. This delightful cake is the perfect companion for your morning coffee or an afternoon tea break, combining rich buttery flavors with the warm spices of cinnamon and a crispy streusel topping. With each bite, you’ll experience a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes it impossible to resist coming back for more.
Not only is this coffee cake incredibly delicious, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make. The combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps means you can whip it up even on a busy weekday morning or impress guests at a weekend brunch. Furthermore, this recipe can easily be customized with your favorite nuts or fruit, making it truly versatile. So grab your mixing bowl and let’s dive into this scrumptious Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake that will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll fall in love with this Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake for several reasons. First, the flavor profile is simply divine; the buttery richness pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon, creating a harmonious balance that makes each bite feel indulgent. This cake is not just about taste—its texture is equally impressive, boasting a tender crumb topped with a crunchy streusel that adds an irresistible contrast.
Another reason to adore this recipe is its versatility. Whether you want to serve it at breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as dessert after dinner, this coffee cake fits seamlessly into any occasion. You can also personalize it by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits to the batter or streusel topping, making it truly unique to your palate.
Lastly, the ease of preparation sets this coffee cake apart from more elaborate desserts. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a homemade treat ready in no time. Plus, the satisfaction of baking something so delicious from scratch will leave you feeling accomplished and eager to share it with friends and family.
Key Ingredients
To create this mouthwatering Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, you’ll need some essential ingredients that work together beautifully. Here’s a quick overview:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, providing structure and stability while keeping it tender.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter and contributes to that lovely golden crust.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
- Cinnamon: A key player in flavoring both the batter and streusel topping; its warm notes are irresistible.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture; using unsalted allows better control over salt levels in your recipe.
- Eggs: They bind all the ingredients together while adding moisture and richness.
- Milk: Helps create a moist batter; whole milk will yield the best results for creaminess.
With these key ingredients on hand, you’re well on your way to creating an unforgettable coffee cake!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating your own Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is easier than you might think! Just follow these simple steps:
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Create the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix until crumbly; set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 eggs (beaten), and 1 cup milk until smooth. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
- Add Batter to Pan: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over it before adding the remaining batter on top. Finish by sprinkling on the rest of your streusel mixture.
- Bake It: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cooling slightly before serving!
Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips to elevate your baking experience:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before mixing them into your batter. This will help achieve a smoother blend and contribute to better texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no dry spots remain—overmixing can lead to dense cake instead of light and fluffy goodness.
- Add Nuts or Fruits: Feel free to customize this recipe by adding chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch or even blueberries or apples for added sweetness!
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the coffee cake to cool in its pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack; this helps maintain its structure during removal.
- Bake Ahead of Time: This coffee cake can be made ahead! Store it covered at room temperature for up to three days or freeze individual slices for longer storage—just reheat before serving!
Presentation Ideas
Presenting your Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake beautifully can make all the difference when serving guests! Here are some creative ideas:
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar lightly over the top for an elegant touch that enhances its appearance.
- Add Fresh Berries: Serve slices alongside fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries for added color and freshness—a visual feast!
- Create Individual Portions: Instead of cutting traditional slices, use small ramekins or muffin tins to create individual servings topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Plaque It Up: This coffee cake looks beautiful on decorative platters—consider arranging slices neatly on one large tray complemented by cups of coffee or tea nearby.
FAQs
Can I substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour?
You can substitute whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour; however, keep in mind that it may alter both texture and flavor slightly due to its denser nature. It’s often recommended to use half whole wheat flour mixed with half all-purpose flour for optimal results without sacrificing tenderness too much. Adjustments may also need consideration regarding liquid amounts since whole wheat absorbs more moisture compared to white flour!
I don’t have unsalted butter; can I use salted butter instead?
If you only have salted butter available at home—it’s perfectly fine! Just reduce any additional salt included in other parts of your recipe accordingly so as not overwhelm flavors overall while keeping everything balanced out nicely! Typically one stick (1/2 cup) contains around 1/4 teaspoon salt already which should suffice unless otherwise specified in recipes requiring precision measurements.
I want my streusel topping thicker—what adjustments should I make?
You may increase both brown sugar quantity by adding another tablespoon along with increasing flour used from standard measurements too! By doing so will give you those extra crunchy bits needed without compromising overall integrity throughout baking process itself! Alternatively consider incorporating oats into mixture if desired—they add chewiness alongside crunchiness while enhancing flavors further overall!
This recipe seems familiar—can I double it?
A double batch would definitely work if executed correctly! Make sure though when doubling quantities ensure proper mixing times still apply since larger volumes take longer than normal mixes would usually take alone. Adjust cooking times accordingly as well given size difference between pans used—larger ones may require additional minutes beyond initial settings suggested herein!
Incorporating these elements into your baking repertoire will not only enhance flavor but also allow creativity within presentation styles catering toward personal preferences amongst guests gathered around table enjoying their sweet treats together! Enjoy every delicious bite!
Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful experience of baking a Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This cake, featuring a rich buttery flavor and a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping, pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, making it ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert. Its melt-in-your-mouth texture and easy preparation will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and melted butter for the streusel topping; mix until crumbly and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together remaining flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, remaining cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, and milk until smooth. Combine with dry ingredients; stir gently until just mixed.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle half of the streusel on top, add the rest of the batter, and finish with the remaining streusel.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (80g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg