Description
This classic coffee cake features a tender, moist crumb with a rich streusel filling made from cinnamon and brown sugar, topped with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this easy-to-make coffee cake combines warm spices and buttermilk for a delicious, comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1½ cups buttermilk (room temperature)
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
Streusel Filling
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter (cold and cut into small pieces)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to blend the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 egg, and 1½ cups of room-temperature buttermilk until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and stir gently, mixing just until everything is incorporated to avoid overmixing which can make the cake dense.
- Prepare Streusel Filling: In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon flour until evenly combined to create the streusel filling.
- Layer the Batter and Filling: Pour half of the batter into the greased baking dish, then evenly sprinkle the streusel filling over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top of the streusel layer.
- Make Crumb Topping: For the crumb topping, mix ½ cup flour and ½ tablespoon cinnamon in a bowl, then cut in 3 tablespoons of cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this crumb topping evenly over the top layer of batter.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure all your wet ingredients are at room temperature to ensure even mixing and better texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and light.
- The crumb topping butter should be cold for a crumbly texture.
- Use a toothpick test to check doneness—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- This coffee cake is delicious served warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
