Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake is a classic treat that brings together moist, tender cake with a delicious ribbon of cinnamon sugar running right through the middle. The soft crumb and that sweet, spicy swirl make it a perfect companion for your morning coffee or an afternoon snack. It’s simple but feels special every time you slice into it.
I love making this coffee cake when friends come over because the smell of cinnamon baking fills the whole house, instantly making things feel cozy and inviting. One tip I’ve learned is to not skip the cinnamon sugar swirl—it’s what makes the cake so irresistible. Sometimes I even add a little extra cinnamon on top before baking for that extra warm flavor.
My favorite way to enjoy this coffee cake is fresh out of the oven, with a pat of butter melting on top. Whether it’s for a weekend breakfast, a casual brunch, or just a sweet pick-me-up during the day, this cake always brings smiles around the table. It’s a simple pleasure that never fails to make a moment feel a bit more special.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Softened butter adds richness and moisture. You can swap with margarine or a dairy-free spread for a vegan version, but butter gives the best flavor. Keep it soft for easy creaming with sugar.
Flour & Leavening: All-purpose flour works great here. For a nuttier flavor, try half whole wheat flour, but your cake might be a bit denser. Baking powder helps the cake rise, so use fresh for best results.
Milk: Whole milk keeps the cake moist and tender. You can replace it with almond milk or oat milk for dairy-free; just choose unsweetened to avoid extra sweetness.
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth to the cinnamon swirl. If you don’t have brown sugar, mix granulated sugar with a bit of molasses as a substitute.
Streusel Topping: The crumbly mix is key for texture contrast. Cold butter makes it crumbly, so avoid melting it. You can add chopped nuts here for an extra crunch.
How Do You Create That Perfect Cinnamon Swirl Without It Mixing Into the Batter?
The trick is layering carefully to keep the swirl defined:
- Pour half the batter into your pan evenly.
- Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar mixture on top without pressing down.
- Gently add the rest of the batter on top, spreading it slowly to avoid mixing with the swirl too much.
- Finally, add the remaining cinnamon sugar and lightly swirl it with a knife or skewer in a figure-eight motion. Don’t over-swirl or it will blend.
This technique keeps the cinnamon layer visible and gives you those lovely ribboned swirls inside the cake!
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×5-inch loaf pan – perfect size for shaping the cake with even baking.
- Mixing bowls – you’ll need a few for the batter, cinnamon swirl, and streusel.
- Electric mixer or hand mixer – makes creaming the butter and sugar easy and smooth.
- Whisk and spatula – for mixing dry ingredients and folding batter gently.
- Pastry cutter or fork – handy for cutting butter into the streusel topping quickly.
- Toothpick or skewer – to check if the cake is baked through without poking big holes.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel for a crunchy texture and nutty taste.
- Mix mini chocolate chips into the batter for a sweet surprise with each bite.
- Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon alone for a cozy autumn twist.
- Swap the vanilla extract for almond extract to change the aroma and flavor beautifully.
Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious cinnamon swirl coffee cake takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus 55-65 minutes to bake. Allow around 15 minutes for cooling before adding any glaze and serving. So, set aside just over an hour, and you’ll have a warm treat ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare and Preheat:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan so the cake won’t stick.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each to blend them in. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk:
Add the flour mixture and milk alternately into the butter mixture in three parts—start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
6. Make the Cinnamon Swirl:
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until well combined.
7. Prepare Streusel Topping:
In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the cold cubed butter into this mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs.
8. Assemble the Cake:
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Spoon half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Gently spread the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer. Spoon the rest of the cinnamon swirl on top and use a knife or skewer to swirl it gently through the batter for a beautiful marbled effect.
9. Add Streusel and Bake:
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top. Place the cake in the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool and Glaze (Optional):
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool fully. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract, adding more milk to reach the right consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice the cake and enjoy it fresh, especially with a cup of coffee or tea for a classic treat!
Can I Use Frozen Butter for the Streusel Topping?
Yes! Using cold or frozen butter here is perfect. Just cube it and cut it into the flour mixture quickly so it stays cold and creates that crumbly texture when baked.
How Should I Store Leftover Coffee Cake?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to 3 months.
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure it contains xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.
Is It Okay to Skip the Glaze?
Yes, the cake is delicious without the glaze! The cinnamon swirl and streusel topping add plenty of sweetness and flavor on their own.