Description
This Coffee Cake features a moist vanilla base, a rich coffee-flavored layer, and a buttery cinnamon streusel topping, all finished with a sweet glaze. It’s perfect for brunch, cozy afternoons, or make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (streusel)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (streusel)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (streusel)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (streusel)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (streusel)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional (streusel)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar (coffee layer)
- 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour (coffee layer)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, optional (coffee layer)
- 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled (coffee layer)
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder, optional (coffee layer)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (cake batter)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (cake batter)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature (cake batter)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (cake batter)
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature (cake batter)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (cake batter)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (cake batter)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (cake batter)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (cake batter)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (glaze)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream (glaze)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhangs.
- For the streusel: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, salt, and espresso powder (if using). Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Set aside.
- For the coffee layer: Stir together brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder (if using), coffee, and espresso powder until smooth. Set aside.
- For the cake batter: Beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and sour cream.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread cake batter evenly into prepared pan. Spoon the coffee layer over the batter, then sprinkle with streusel topping.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake (not streusel) comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes.
- For the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake before slicing.
Notes
- Add nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra texture.
- For more coffee flavor, double the espresso powder in the coffee layer and streusel.
- Skip the cocoa powder for a lighter-colored cake.
- Almond extract is a tasty substitute for vanilla.
- Add nutmeg to the topping for a festive twist.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
