Cinnamon Coffee Cake: Grandma’s Irresistible Recipe

Oh, friends, let me tell you about my Cinnamon Coffee Cake! Just the smell of it baking takes me right back to Sunday mornings at my grandma’s. She’d always have a fresh one ready, the whole house filled with that warm, cinnamony goodness. It’s pure comfort in every bite, you know?

And the best part? It’s seriously easy to make! I’ve tweaked her recipe over the years to make it even simpler, so you can whip up this dreamy treat without any fuss. Trust me, even if you’re not a baking pro, you can totally nail this. It’s all about that perfect balance – the sweet cake, the spicy cinnamon swirl… mmm! That’s what makes this Cinnamon Coffee Cake so darn irresistible. It’s a hug in cake form, I swear!

I’ve made this Cinnamon Coffee Cake *hundreds* of times, tweaking it just so. I’ve learned all the little tricks to getting it just right, and I’m so excited to share them with you! Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Okay, so why *this* Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe? Let me tell you – it’s a game-changer! Seriously, you’re going to make this again and again. Here’s why:

Quick and Easy to Make

I’m all about simple, and this recipe is just that. We’re talking minimal effort for maximum reward. You don’t need to be a master baker to get this one right. Promise!

Perfectly Balanced Flavor

That cinnamon swirl? It’s pure magic! The sweetness of the cake with that warm, spicy cinnamon… oh man! It’s like a party in your mouth. Not too sweet, not too spicy – just right!

Classic Comfort Food

This Cinnamon Coffee Cake is like a warm hug from your grandma. It’s nostalgic, it’s comforting, and it just makes everything better. Need I say more?

Impress Your Friends and Family

Want to be the star of your next brunch? Bring this! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Trust me, everyone will be begging you for the recipe!

Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have. And hey, good ingredients make all the difference, right?

• 2 cups all-purpose flour – the base of our delicious cake!
• 1 cup granulated sugar – for that perfect sweetness.
• 1 tsp baking powder – helps the cake rise nice and fluffy.
• 1/2 tsp baking soda – gives it a little extra lift!
• 1/4 tsp salt – just a pinch to balance the flavors.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – gotta have that buttery goodness!
• 1/2 cup sour cream – makes the cake super moist.
• 2 large eggs – they bind everything together.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – adds a touch of magic!
• 1 cup milk – keeps the batter nice and smooth.

And for that glorious Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar – for that caramely deliciousness.
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour – helps the swirl stay put.
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon – the star of the show!
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted – makes it all come together.

Got everything? Great! Let’s get baking!

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake – Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a drool-worthy Cinnamon Coffee Cake in no time. I promise it’s easier than it looks!

Preparing the Pan and Dry Ingredients

First things first: let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). You don’t want to forget this step! While it’s warming up, grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. You can use butter or cooking spray – whatever you’ve got! Make sure you get into all the corners so the cake doesn’t stick. Nobody wants a stuck cake!

Now, grab a big bowl and whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tsp of baking powder, 1/2 tsp of baking soda, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Whisk it all up to make sure everything’s evenly distributed. This is important, so don’t skip it!

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of sour cream until it’s nice and smooth. I like to use a mixer for this, but you can totally do it by hand if you’re feeling strong! Then, beat in 2 large eggs and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Mmm, vanilla!

Now, for the fun part! Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with 1 cup of milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients – that’s the trick! Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix it! A few lumps are okay. Overmixing makes the cake tough, and nobody wants that.

Making the Cinnamon Swirl

Okay, this is the best part! In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour, and 2 tsp of ground cinnamon. Stir in 2 tbsp of melted unsalted butter. It should look like yummy, crumbly goodness. This is what makes the Cinnamon Coffee Cake so special!

Assembling and Baking the Coffee Cake

Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Then, sprinkle that glorious cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Don’t be shy! Then, pour the remaining batter over the swirl. Try to spread it out evenly. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect – it’ll all even out in the oven.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it! Ovens vary, so it might take a little longer or a little less time. If it starts to get too brown on top, you can tent it with foil.

Cooling and Serving

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving. I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Want to take your Cinnamon Coffee Cake to the next level? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years. These will seriously make a difference!

Don’t Overmix the Batter

Seriously, this is important! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which makes the cake tough. Mix until *just* combined. A few lumps are totally okay! I know it’s tempting to keep mixing until it’s perfectly smooth, but resist! You’ll thank me later.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients

This makes a HUGE difference! Softened butter creams so much better, and room temperature eggs incorporate more evenly. Take your butter and eggs out of the fridge about an hour before you start baking. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Check for Doneness

Don’t just rely on the timer! Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), it’s ready! If it comes out with wet batter, bake it for a few more minutes and check again. You want it perfectly baked, but not dry!

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Cinnamon Coffee Cake? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations. This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to experiment! Here are a few of my faves:

Add Nuts

Want a little extra crunch? Toss some chopped nuts into that cinnamon swirl! Pecans or walnuts are my go-to, but you could totally use almonds or even macadamia nuts if you’re feeling fancy. About a 1/2 cup should do the trick. Yum!

Use Brown Butter

Oh man, brown butter takes this cake to a whole new level! Just melt the butter in a saucepan and cook it until it’s golden brown and smells nutty. Careful, it burns easily! Let it cool slightly before adding it to the batter. Trust me, the nutty flavor is amazing!

Add a Glaze

Want to make it extra decadent? Drizzle a simple glaze over the top! Just whisk together some powdered sugar and milk until it’s smooth and pourable. You can add a little vanilla extract or even a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze for extra flavor! So good!

Storing Your Delicious Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Okay, so you’ve baked this amazing Cinnamon Coffee Cake, and you *might* have some leftovers (though, let’s be real, it’s usually gone in a flash!). Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious!

Storage Instructions

Just pop any leftover Cinnamon Coffee Cake into an airtight container. It’ll stay nice and moist at room temperature for up to 3 days. Easy peasy!

Reheating Instructions

Want a warm slice? Just zap it in the microwave for a few seconds or warm it up in the oven. Mmm, it’s almost as good as fresh-baked! Careful, it might be addictive!

FAQ About Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Got questions about making the *perfect* Cinnamon Coffee Cake? I got you! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, so you can bake with confidence. Don’t be shy – baking should be fun!

Can I use a different type of flour for this Cinnamon Coffee Cake?

Okay, so all-purpose flour is my go-to, but you can experiment! Cake flour will give you an even softer, more tender crumb. But, it might be a little *too* delicate. Whole wheat flour will add a nutty flavor, but it’ll also make the cake a bit denser. If you go that route, maybe use half all-purpose and half whole wheat. Just play around and see what you like best!

Can I make this Cinnamon Coffee Cake ahead of time?

Totally! This Cinnamon Coffee Cake is actually delicious the next day (if it lasts that long!). Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay nice and moist. You can even make the batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good stir before baking. Easy peasy!

Can I freeze this Cinnamon Coffee Cake?

Yep! This Cinnamon Coffee Cake freezes like a dream. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. You can even warm it up slightly in the oven for that fresh-baked taste. Just be careful not to dry it out!

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in this Cinnamon Coffee Cake?

You can, but be careful! Sugar does more than just sweeten – it also affects the texture and moisture of the cake. If you reduce the sugar too much, the cake might be dry or tough. I’d recommend starting with a small reduction (maybe 1/4 cup) and see how it goes. You could also try using a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, but that’ll change the flavor a bit. Experiment and find what works for you!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Alright, so you’re probably wondering about the nutritional info for this Cinnamon Coffee Cake, right? Okay, so here’s the deal: it’s hard to give exact numbers ’cause it depends on the ingredients you use and how big you slice it. But, roughly, you’re looking at around 350 calories per slice. It’s got a good bit of carbs, some fat, and a little protein. Remember, it’s a treat, not a health food! These are just estimates, folks!

Share Your Cinnamon Coffee Cake Creations!

Made this Cinnamon Coffee Cake? Woohoo! I wanna see! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or tag me on social media! I just LOVE seeing your baking adventures!

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