Cinnamon-Swirl Coffee Cake Recipe – Easy Sweet Recipes for Breakfast or Dessert
This cinnamon-swirl coffee cake is that magical kind of bake that turns even the gloomiest morning into something worth waking up for. I’ve made this on rainy Saturdays, lazy Sundays, and one very dramatic Tuesday after a long week—yes, the week started on Monday, but it *felt* long by Tuesday. It’s soft, warm, lightly spiced, and smells like your kitchen just got hugged by a bakery.
If you’ve never made a coffee cake before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each step like we’re in the kitchen together, gossiping about life while cinnamon fills the air. The crumb is fluffy, the swirl is gooey, and the topping is like a cinnamon sugar blanket. Whether you’re hosting brunch, needing a last-minute bake sale hero, or just craving a cozy bite with your morning cup, this one’s got your back.
Oh—and it pairs perfectly with, you guessed it, coffee. But hey, no judgment if you’re more of a tea or milk type. You do you.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Or, line it with parchment if you're feeling fancy.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This might take a couple of songs if you're using a hand mixer.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Mix until it’s all cozy and blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry mix to the wet mix in batches, stirring until just combined. No need to overthink it.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mix. Dollop the remaining batter on top and gently spread. Finish with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool slightly before serving. Or don’t. Warm is heaven.