Old-Fashioned Coffee Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 9
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

This old-fashioned coffee cake is all about that crumbly, buttery topping and a moist, tender cake. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or just because you’re craving something comforting. Let's dive into this classic delight!

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Coffee Cake

Butter: We use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the cake. It adds richness and moisture.

Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a tender crumb.

Eggs: They bind everything together and add structure to the cake.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a lovely aroma and depth of flavor.

All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cake and the topping, giving structure and body.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These help the cake rise and become fluffy.

Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Sour Cream: Keeps the cake moist and tender, with a slight tang.

Light Brown Sugar: Used in the topping for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.

Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the topping, making it extra special.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ensure your butter is properly softened for the best creaming results.
  • For a crunchier topping, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
  • Let the cake cool slightly before cutting to prevent it from crumbling.

Serving Suggestions

This coffee cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea or your favorite brew of coffee. For a special touch, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, plain yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream in this recipe.
What if I don't have a square pan?
A round cake pan or a similar-sized baking dish will work just fine.

Old-Fashioned Coffee Cake Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan. A little butter or non-stick spray works perfectly here.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until it's light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Make sure the butter is soft—it makes all the difference.

Next, beat in two eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow this with a teaspoon of vanilla extract for that aromatic touch.

In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter, alternating with 1 cup of sour cream. Mix until just combined—overmixing can lead to a dense cake.

For the crumb topping, mix 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a separate bowl. Cut in 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Fingers work best for this, or you can use a pastry cutter.

Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Then sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top. Don’t be shy here—more crumb equals more yum!

Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool a bit before slicing and serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have.
  • The crumb topping is irresistibly buttery and sweet.
  • It's perfect for sharing with family or friends.
  • Great for any time of the year.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (for topping)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with 1 cup of sour cream, until just combined.
6. In a separate bowl, prepare the crumb topping by mixing 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
7. Cut in 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Allow to cool before slicing and serving.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!