Cinnamon coffee cake is one of those simple cakes that always works. It’s soft, buttery, and packed with a thick cinnamon streusel layer. I like making this when I want something easy that goes well with coffee or tea. The batter comes together quickly and the cinnamon crumb topping makes it feel a little extra without adding much work.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This cinnamon coffee cake is great because it has that classic soft cake texture with a thick cinnamon crumb layer in the middle and on top. The sour cream keeps the cake moist while the cinnamon streusel adds sweetness and texture. Another reason I like this cinnamon coffee cake is that the ingredients are simple and the steps are straightforward. It’s the kind of cake that works for breakfast, brunch, or a snack with coffee.

What You Will Need

You will need all-purpose flour, which forms the base of both the cake and the streusel topping.

Brown sugar sweetens the streusel and helps give it that classic crumb texture.

Ground cinnamon is the main flavor in the cake and streusel, while ground nutmeg adds a little extra warmth to the topping.

Butter is used in both the streusel and the cake. Melted butter helps create the crumb topping, while softened butter makes the cake batter rich and tender.

Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and helps create a light texture when it’s mixed with the butter.

Eggs help bind the batter together and give the cake structure.

Vanilla extract adds extra flavor to the cake.

To help the cake rise slightly you’ll use baking powder.

Sour cream is important in this recipe because it keeps the cake soft and moist while adding a slight richness.

Ingredients

Cinnamon Streusel Layer

• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup melted butter

Cake

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup sour cream

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Start by heating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 10-inch square baking pan with butter.

To make the streusel topping, place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter in a bowl. Stir everything together with a fork until the mixture forms crumbly clumps. Set it aside.

In a large bowl beat the softened butter and sugar together for about 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Stir in the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until everything is mixed together. Add the sour cream and stir until the batter is smooth.

Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel over the batter.

Spoon the remaining batter over the streusel layer and spread it gently. Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel topping evenly over the cake.

Bake for 40–42 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Let the cake cool completely before cutting it into squares.

More Coffee Cake Recipes

• Blueberry Coffee Cake 
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake