Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe
Introduction
Streusel coffee cake is a classic treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. Its tender crumb paired with a cinnamon-sugar crumb topping makes every bite delightful and comforting.

Ingredients
- 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 0.5 tsp Baking Soda
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (for streusel)
- 0.5 cup Brown Sugar (packed, for streusel)
- 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed, for streusel)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon (for streusel)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined to keep the cake tender.
- Step 4: For the streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cold cubed butter, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Step 6: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a slightly tangier taste and lighter texture.
- If you like a fruit twist, swirl in some fresh blueberries or sliced apples into the batter before adding the streusel.
Storage
Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm individual pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until heated through.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this coffee cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for best results.
Is it possible to prepare the batter the night before?
It’s best to bake the coffee cake fresh for optimal texture, but you can prepare the batter and streusel topping the night before. Cover and refrigerate them separately, then assemble and bake in the morning.
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Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Streusel Coffee Cake is a moist, tender cake layered with a buttery cinnamon-sugar streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee, this cake combines the richness of sour cream with a crunchy, sweet crumb topping for a delightful texture and flavor experience.
Ingredients
Batter
- 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 0.5 tsp Baking Soda
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Streusel Topping
- 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 0.5 cup Brown Sugar (Packed)
- 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter (Cold and cubed)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the cake does not stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step helps incorporate air into the batter for a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure they are fully incorporated. Then stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Meld Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cold butter cubes, and cinnamon. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble Cake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking pan, spreading it evenly. Then sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan before cutting into squares and serving to allow the cake to set and streusel to firm up slightly.
Notes
- Use cold butter for the streusel topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
- Sour cream adds moisture and helps keep the cake soft.
- This cake stores well covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat slices slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: streusel coffee cake, cinnamon coffee cake, breakfast cake, crumb topping cake, sour cream coffee cake

