This Streusel Coffee Cake is everything you want in a cozy, comforting baked treat—moist, buttery layers of tender cake with a rich ribbon of cinnamon sugar running through the center and a golden, crumbly streusel topping that’s impossible to resist. Each bite offers a perfect balance of softness and crunch, sweetness and spice. Whether you’re enjoying it with a quiet morning coffee or serving it up at a brunch gathering, this classic cake delivers warm, nostalgic flavor in every slice.

The aroma alone is enough to make your kitchen feel like a cozy bakery—warm cinnamon, a hint of vanilla, and that unmistakable smell of freshly baked cake. It’s a recipe that brings people together, whether you’re serving it as a holiday breakfast centerpiece or sneaking a late-night bite. If you love comfort baking, this one’s about to become a go-to favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Streusel Coffee Cake

Aromatic and Inviting: The cinnamon swirl and crumb topping fill your kitchen with irresistible smells.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, snack time, or dessert.
Easy to Make, Hard to Resist: No fancy techniques needed—just classic ingredients and a bit of layering magic.
Texture Heaven: Buttery, soft cake meets crumbly, cinnamon-studded streusel.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle and deepen.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use (Essential Tools and Equipment, and the Importance of Each Tool)

Before diving into the magic of layering and baking, it’s key to gather your tools to make the process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:

Mixing Bowls (at least 2): One for your batter and another for the streusel topping. Separate bowls keep your textures perfect and prevent overmixing.
Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: This helps cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, giving the cake its tender, fluffy texture. You can use a whisk if you’re going manual, but it takes more effort.
9×13 Baking Dish or Springform Pan: Either option works, but a springform pan is excellent if you want clean slices with easy removal.
Rubber Spatula: Crucial for folding ingredients gently and scraping every last bit of batter or topping from your bowls.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precision matters, especially with baking—eyeballing cinnamon can throw off the balance.
Cooling Rack: Ensures the cake cools evenly without becoming soggy on the bottom.

Having everything ready before you start mixing makes baking more efficient and enjoyable.

Preparation Tips

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream or yogurt are at room temperature. This helps everything blend smoothly and gives you a fluffier cake.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of tender.
Use Fresh Baking Powder: An expired leavening agent can ruin the rise. Check the date before you begin.
Layer with Care: Spoon half the batter, add your cinnamon sugar filling, then the rest of the batter—smooth gently to avoid mixing the layers.
Generously Apply Streusel: Don’t skimp on the topping! Press it lightly into the batter so it bakes in place.

These small steps make a big difference in turning out a bakery-quality coffee cake at home.

Ingredients for This Streusel Coffee Cake

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together for an ultra-moist, flavor-packed cake with that iconic cinnamon-streusel topping.

For the Cake Batter:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Streusel Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Every ingredient plays a key role—sour cream adds moisture, brown sugar gives depth, and cinnamon ties it all together with cozy warmth.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This step ensures your cake doesn’t stick and bakes evenly from the start.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the filling. Set it aside—this will be your flavorful ribbon between cake layers.

Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In another bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in melted butter and stir until crumbly and coarse. You want clumps—not a paste—so don’t overmix. Set aside for topping.

Step 4: Make the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and sour cream to the wet mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined—don’t overbeat.

Step 5: Layer the Cake

Spread half of the batter into your prepared baking dish. Smooth it out gently with a spatula. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly over this layer.
Dollop the remaining batter on top, spreading carefully so the layers stay distinct.

Step 6: Add Streusel Topping

Generously crumble the streusel topping over the entire surface of the cake. Press lightly to help it stick during baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden and crisp.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes before slicing. For cleaner cuts, let it cool completely.

Notes

Sour Cream Swap: If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works wonderfully and gives a similar tangy richness.
Make It Ahead: This cake holds up well overnight—just store it covered at room temperature and enjoy it the next morning. The flavors deepen, and the crumb stays moist.
Double the Streusel? Go ahead! If you’re a big fan of the crumb topping, you can make 1.5x the streusel portion for extra crunch.
Add a Glaze: For a sweeter finish, drizzle a simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) once the cake has cooled.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Overmixing the Batter: This can make your cake tough or overly dense. Mix until just combined, especially once the flour goes in.
Skipping the Layering Step: If you dump all the cinnamon filling on top instead of in the middle, you’ll miss that delicious layered effect.
Using Cold Ingredients: Cold butter or eggs won’t cream properly and can cause a lumpy batter.
Underbaking or Overbaking: Start checking around 35 minutes with a toothpick. It should come out clean or with moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Uneven Streusel Distribution: Take a moment to scatter the topping evenly and break up any large chunks—this ensures consistent crunch and flavor.

These simple reminders will keep your Streusel Coffee Cake on track for soft, buttery perfection.

What to Serve With Streusel Coffee Cake?

A slice of Streusel Coffee Cake is already pretty dreamy on its own, but pairing it with the right drink or side can take your experience up a notch. Whether you’re going full brunch spread or just enhancing your morning bite, these combinations are pure joy.

8 Recommendations

1. Freshly Brewed Coffee

A no-brainer! The bold bitterness of coffee balances the cake’s sweetness beautifully.

2. Chai Latte

The warm spices in chai pair seamlessly with the cinnamon in the cake, creating a cozy flavor duo.

3. Vanilla Greek Yogurt

A cool, creamy contrast that adds a protein boost and offsets the richness of the cake.

4. Scrambled Eggs or an Omelet

For a more filling breakfast, balance the sweet cake with savory eggs on the side.

5. Berries or a Fresh Fruit Salad

Brighten the plate with strawberries, blueberries, or sliced kiwi to add freshness and a little tart bite.

6. Maple Sausage Links

If you love sweet-and-savory combos, this one’s a winner. The saltiness of the sausage complements the cake perfectly.

7. Cinnamon-Spiced Apples

Warm sliced apples sautéed in butter and cinnamon echo the flavors in the cake for a double-dose of comfort.

8. Milk or a Warm Almond Milk Latte

A classic pairing—whether dairy or non-dairy—milk smooths out the cinnamon spice and adds to the cozy vibe.

Storage Instructions

Streusel Coffee Cake stores beautifully, making it perfect for prepping ahead or savoring leftovers over a few days.

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep it covered to prevent the streusel from going soft.
Refrigerator: If your kitchen is warm or humid, refrigerate the cake in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving, or warm it slightly in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
Freezer: This cake freezes well! Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven or microwave to revive its texture.

Estimated Nutrition

Per serving (based on 12 servings)

Calories: ~320
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total Carbohydrates: 40g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 22g
Protein: 4g

Please note, these values are approximate and can vary based on the exact brands and quantities used.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Streusel Coffee Cake ahead of time?

Yes! This cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Just wrap it well and store it at room temperature or in the fridge depending on your environment.

2. What’s the difference between coffee cake and regular cake?

Coffee cake usually doesn’t have frosting. Instead, it features a crumbly streusel topping and sometimes a cinnamon filling, designed to be enjoyed with coffee or tea.

3. Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?

Absolutely. Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream and gives the same tender texture and tang.

4. What kind of cinnamon works best?

Use ground Ceylon or Cassia cinnamon for a warm, sweet spice. Just make sure it’s fresh—old spices lose their punch.

5. Can I add nuts to the streusel topping?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Fold them into the topping mixture before sprinkling.

6. Why did my streusel sink into the batter?

This can happen if the batter is too thin or the topping was too heavy. Be sure your batter is thick enough and press the streusel lightly on top.

7. Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Look for one with xanthan gum included to help with structure.

8. How do I know when the cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top will be golden and set.

Conclusion

Streusel Coffee Cake is the kind of classic comfort bake that never goes out of style. It’s got that soft, buttery crumb, a ribbon of cinnamon-sugar warmth in the middle, and a golden topping that’s both crunchy and sweet. Whether you’re baking it for a holiday brunch, a weekend treat, or simply because you crave something cozy, this cake delivers every single time. With easy prep, flexible ingredients, and unbeatable flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.