Soft vanilla-spiced cake is filled with a gooey cinnamon swirl center, topped with a thick layer of buttery streusel topping and a sweet vanilla glaze gets drizzled on top. This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake is so perfect to enjoy with a cup of coffee!
I am such a sucker for coffee cake. Especially when it has a gooey cinnamon swirl center. It just adds that extra punch of cinnamon flavor that you don't get with traditional coffee cake. Did you know that coffee cake gets its name because you're supposed to enjoy it with a cup of coffee? There is no coffee in this recipe at all.
Why you'll love this recipe
- The cinnamon swirl center is such a delicious surprise!
- You are going to love the mile high buttery crumb topping!
Ingredients needed
- Butter: Unsalted butter is used in both the cake and streusel topping. Butter gives this recipe such a delicious rich and buttery flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Oil is also used in this recipe to ensure a soft texture.
- Sugar: You will need light brown sugar, granulated sugar and confectioner's sugar in this recipe.
- Sour cream: Helps lend a super moist texture to the cake.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
Substitutions & Variations
- For a delicious added crunch, add some chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds to the top.
- Make the vanilla glaze a little thicker if you want to see a nice white drizzle on top that doesn't melt into the cake.
How to make coffee cake
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together very well.
- In a separate bowl, beat, butter, vegetable oil, and both sugars until smooth. Add sour cream, eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour gradually and mix until smooth. Pour in milk and beat again until just incorporated.
- Filling: whisk brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Pour half of the batter into prepared pan and top with filling mixture in an even layer. Spread the remaining batter on top of the filling. Set aside.
- Streusel topping: toss both sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Add more flour, if needed. Crumble topping over the batter in the pan into an even layer.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes OR until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Vanilla glaze: Whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Add more or less milk for your desired thickness.
Jessica's Recipe Tips
- Be sure to use a 9x9 pan and NOT an 8x8 pan to ensure the cake does not bake over the sides. The extra inch really makes a difference.
Recipe FAQs
Nope! Fun fact: Until my early 20's, I thought coffee cake included coffee in the batter. When I finally made my first coffee cake recipe, I was so confused saying to myself, "where's the coffee in this recipe???" Don't be like me. They give the cake it's name because it is supposed to be enjoyed with coffee!
To keep the cake moist and fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Very well! Just wrap cake in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Place in a resealable, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @sprinkle_some_sugar on Instagram!
📋 Recipe
Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 4 tbs unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbs vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup milk
Cinnamon Swirl
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbs cinnamon
Streusel Topping
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- ½ cup + 2 tbs unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 tbs milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange rack to the center of the oven. Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper and set aside. Do NOT use an 8x8 pan.
For the cake
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together very well.
- In a separate bowl, beat, butter, vegetable oil, and both sugars until smooth. Add sour cream, eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour gradually and mix until smooth. Pour in milk and beat again until just incorporated as you do not want to over-mix the batter.
For the cinnamon swirl
- Whisk brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Pour half of the batter into prepared pan and top with filling mixture in an even layer. Spread the remaining batter on top of the filling. Set aside while you make the topping.
For the topping
- Toss both sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. It will still be wet but you will be able to break it up into smaller pieces. If for some reason it won't crumble, add another tablespoon of flour to the mixture. Crumble the topping over the batter in the pan into an even layer.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes OR until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For the glaze
- In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until smooth. Add more or less milk for your desired thickness - I like mine on the thicker side so it doesn't melt into the cake. Drizzle onto cooled cake.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Laura C. says
I tasted the batter before putting it in the oven. It tasted of the baking soda, really off flavor and I followed the recipe and put 2 teaspoons of B. soda in it. Anyone else have an issue with this?
Laura C. says
I meant to say I put 2 t baking powder and 1/2 t baking soda
Stephanie Branson says
Tried this tonight. Amazing. Do you think it could be baked a frozen for later use?
Jessica says
Yay! Yes! Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator the night before you want to serve it.
kristel says
can i use buttermilk instead of sour cream?
Jessica says
I have not tried, so I do not know for sure. If you swap them out let me know!
Jen says
I'm glad I'm not the only one who's spaced dinner a time or two. As my 4 yr old says "It happens", lol! I definitely wouldn't space breakfast knowing this beauty was waiting for me. It looks so delicious!
Jenn peas and crayons says
Helloooooo super amazing coffee cake! That cinnamon swirl has me sold!