Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake: A Bakery-Style Breakfast Delight

Quick Coffee Cake Essentials

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8-12 slices
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Best For: Weekend Brunch, Breakfast Treat

Why This Coffee Cake Rocks

Imagine a cake so moist it melts in your mouth, with a crumbly cinnamon streusel that makes your kitchen smell like heaven. This isn’t just a cake – it’s a morning game-changer.

Kitchen Gear You’ll Need

Must-Have Tools

• Electric mixer
• 8×8-inch or 9×13-inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Parchment paper (optional but recommended)

Ingredient Lineup

Cake Base Superstars

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 room-temperature eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Streusel Magic

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup flour
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 6 tbsp cold butter

Pro Prep Moves

Before You Start

Mise en Place Checklist:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Grease your baking pan
• Bring ingredients to room temperature
• Measure everything out

Step-by-Step Cake Conquest

1. Streusel Setup
   • Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon
   • Cut in cold butter until crumbly
   • Refrigerate while prepping batter
2. Dry Ingredient Dance
   • Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt
   • Set aside in a clean bowl
3. Batter Brilliance
   • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
   • Add eggs one at a time
   • Stir in vanilla and sour cream
   • Gentle Folding Alert: Mix dry ingredients just until combined
4. Layer Like a Pro
   • Pour half the batter in pan
   • Sprinkle half the streusel
   • Add remaining batter
   • Top with remaining streusel
5. Baking Perfection
   • Bake 40-55 minutes
   • Doneness Test: Toothpick comes out clean
   • Golden-brown surface is your goal

Genius Tips & Tricks

Avoid Common Fails

• Don’t Overmix: Leads to tough cake
• Check Early: Start checking at 45 minutes
• Room Temp Matters: Ensures even mixing

Storage Secrets

• Counter: 2 days in airtight container
• Fridge: Up to 5 days
• Quick Reheat: 10-15 seconds in microwave

Delicious Variations

Mix It Up

• Add chopped pecans
• Swap cinnamon for nutmeg
• Try chocolate chips
• Go vegan with coconut oil

Dietary Swaps

• Gluten-free flour
• Dairy-free yogurt
• Coconut sugar alternative

Nutritional Heads Up

• Contains dairy, eggs, wheat
• Vegetarian-friendly
• Moderate sugar content

Pro Tip: This cake gets even more delicious the next day. If you can resist eating it all immediately, let it sit overnight for maximum flavor magic!