Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake (Print)

Tender coffee cake featuring cinnamon-sugar swirls and a buttery crumb topping, ideal for morning or afternoon.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/4 cup milk
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl

11 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
12 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Crumb Topping

13 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
14 - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding just until combined.
06 - Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
07 - Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
08 - Spread half the batter evenly in the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over batter, then top with remaining batter and smooth surface.
09 - Evenly distribute crumb topping over the batter.
10 - Bake 38 to 42 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11 - Let cake cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The swirl of cinnamon sugar feels like a secret touch only you know about
  • The buttery crumb topping adds a delightful contrast that quickly made it my go-to treat
02 -
  • Using softened butter rather than melted or cold makes all the difference in texture
  • The swirl should be spread gently to keep distinct layers of cinnamon goodness without mixing it all together
03 -
  • Don't overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and light
  • The cinnamon swirl is best when you sprinkle it evenly and gently so it creates beautiful layers

Go Back