You want something sweet and comforting to go with your morning coffee, but you don’t want to spend all morning in the kitchen. This Basic Coffee Cake is exactly that.
This recipe relies on a simple, tender batter that balances the sweetness of the cake with a generous, buttery cinnamon topping.
It is straightforward to assemble and uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand. The result is a consistent, moist cake that holds up well for breakfast or a mid-day snack.
Ingredient Notes
Butter: Use softened butter for the cake batter to ensure it creams well with the sugar. Use cold, cubed butter for the topping so it stays in distinct crumbs rather than melting into the flour.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Having your eggs and milk at room temperature helps the batter emulsify properly, which leads to a better rise and texture.
Cinnamon: This recipe uses cinnamon in both the cake and the topping to ensure the flavor is consistent throughout every bite.
Basic Coffee Cake
Basic Coffee Cake
This tender cake features a buttery cinnamon crumb topping that makes it the perfect companion for your morning coffee or a sweet afternoon snack.
5tablespoonscold unsalted buttercut into small cubes
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter mixture, whisking until everything is well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to ensure the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, then spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
To make the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Add the cold butter cubes to the dry topping mixture and use a fork or your fingers to work the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the surface of the cake batter.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Keyword Coffee Cake
Tima’s Tips
Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature so they incorporate smoothly into the creamed butter and sugar.
You can assemble the topping a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake the cake.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is best served warm with a fresh cup of coffee or tea. It also makes a great addition to a brunch spread.
Variations
Add a half-cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon topping for extra crunch.
Drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and a splash of milk over the cooled cake for a bit of extra sweetness.
Stir a half-cup of fresh blueberries into the cake batter before spreading it in the pan for a fruity twist.
Storage
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap for up to one month.
Common Questions I Get
Can I make this Basic Coffee Cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the topping a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Do I need to use room temperature ingredients?
Yes, using room temperature eggs and milk helps the ingredients combine smoothly for the best texture.
If you make this, let me know how it turned out in the comments below — I'd love to hear from you.
Tima
I’m Tima Miller, a self-taught cook and author of the Simple Yummy cookbook series. Every recipe here is tested, clearly written, and designed to work in a real home kitchen.
