Coffee Cake

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Millie Pham

If you’re looking for a sweet, comforting treat that brings everyone to the table, this Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is IT.

It’s the kind of cake that smells like a cozy hug and tastes even better.

The crumb is soft and buttery, the cinnamon swirl is pure magic, and the crumbly streusel on top? Don’t even get me started—it’s the cherry on top! This is a coffee cake recipe I’ve made for lazy weekend mornings, playdates, and even holiday breakfasts, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Bonus: It pairs perfectly with coffee for the adults and a tall glass of milk for the kiddos.

Let’s get baking, and I promise you, this cake will make your house smell like a bakery in the best way possible.

What You’ll Need

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

For the Streusel Topping:

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Pro Tips

  1. Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temp. This ensures the batter mixes up super smooth!
  2. Don’t Skip the Sour Cream: It’s the secret to keeping the cake extra moist and tender.
  3. Use Your Hands for the Streusel: Mixing the butter into the topping with your fingers gives you that perfect crumbly texture.
  4. Layer It Right: Spread the cinnamon filling evenly so every bite has that cozy swirl.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, you’re good to go!

Tools You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowls (2-3)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • 9-inch square or round baking pan
  • Spatula
  • Toothpick

Substitutions and Variations

  • No sour cream? You can swap in plain Greek yogurt.
  • Brown sugar out of stock? Use granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses for a similar flavor.
  • Want nuts? Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for extra crunch.
  • Make it gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

Make-Ahead Tips

This coffee cake stays moist for 1-2 days, so you can bake it the night before and reheat slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them taste fresh out of the oven. You can also freeze it (unfrosted) for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9-inch pan with butter or nonstick spray.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

4. Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream

Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in vanilla and sour cream until smooth.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix!

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

6. Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

7. Assemble the Cake

Spread half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

8. Make the Streusel Topping

In another small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter with your fingers or a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

9. Bake

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Leftovers and Storage

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it fresh longer, store in the fridge for up to a week and reheat slices in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Let’s Bake This Together!

I can’t wait for you to try this Classic Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake.

Whether you make it for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special treat for friends, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.

Once you’ve made it, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out.

Hi there! I'm Millie Pham, a devoted brewer and tea lover at heart. As the founder of Bean Leaf Cup, my mission is to share my tea and coffee expertise with you all. I firmly believe that creating a fantastic cup of tea or coffee should be easy for everyone. No matter if you're already a coffee or tea expert or just beginning your journey, I'm here to help you navigate the world of brewing. Welcome aboard!