How To Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake

I have to share my best friend’s coffee cake recipe, which is so easy to make. It’s moist and delicious and doesn’t need any frosting or topping. This yummy coffee cake recipe is perfect for Sunday mornings or any holiday morning.

You can freeze it and thaw it on Christmas morning while you open presents. Anytime I can make and freeze something, my mornings are more leisurely when fixing breakfast for family or friends on any holiday. My friend Heather S. used to make this cake for me for years when I would visit Salt Lake City, Utah.

I updated this post with new images because it’s one of my most popular recipes. Since I moved back to Salt Lake City, Utah, I can now deliver a coffee cake to my best friend, Heather. It’s the perfect cinnamon coffee cake, I promise. Cranberry Banana Coffee Cake or The Best Texas Sheet Cake

She knows I will love anything she makes, but she also knows this is one of my favorite treats! I did change the recipe a bit, as we all do. I call it modifying my favorite recipes. This coffee cake is not your usual dry and crumbly coffee cake. You could serve this as a dessert “as is” without frosting.

I am a cream cheese frosting lover, and even I don’t need a frosting on this fluffy, moist, and creamy textured cake. Add a few mini chocolate chips; this is a perfect addition to any dessert. The subtle cinnamon flavor is the best! My favorite Bundt cake pan: Nordic Ware ProForm Bundt, 12 Cup, Gray

Kitchen Items You May Need:

• 12-Cup Bundt Pan
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Spatula
• Cake Platter

Ingredients:

• Yellow Cake Mix: I prefer the Duncan Heinz brand, but any kind will work
• Vanilla Instant Pudding: Makes the cake a bit extra moist
• Sour Cream: Sour Cream is a moisture additive
• Oil: Oil helps make the cake moist
• Water: Helps make the cake more moist
• Eggs: Eggs bind the cake batter together – I usually use large eggs
• Chocolate Chips: These add a little tiny bonus to the cake – you might call it the secret ingredient
• White Sugar: Makes the cake sweet
• Light Brown Sugar: Makes the cake sweet
• Cinnamon: Just the proper seasoning for a coffee cake
• Pecans, Optional: If you want some extra crunch, add some pecans

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Instructions

Step One: Gather Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 12-cup Bundt Pan.

Step Two: Blend the Cake Mixture

Blend the cake mix and instant pudding with the eggs, oil, sour cream, and water.

Step Three: Beat Until Fluffy

Beat the mixture until fluffy and smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Step Four: Fold In Chocolate Chips

Stir the chocolate chips until evenly spread throughout the batter.

Step Five: Cinnamon Mixture

Blend the white sugar, brown sugar & cinnamon, and set aside. Pecan nuts are optional.

Step Six: Scoop Half the Mixture In The Pan

Scoop half of the batter into the Bundt pan.

Step Seven: Layer Half Of The Cinnamon Mixture

Sprinkle 1/2 of the cinnamon mixture on top of the first layer of batter.

Step Eight: Sprinkle the Remaining Cinnamon Mixture

Then scoop the other half of the batter into the pan and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter.

Step Nine: Stir Through Evenly

Stir in until evenly spread out.

Finished Product: Ready To Serve

How do I store the leftover coffee cake?

We never have leftovers, but if you have a piece or two left, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit on your countertop for up to three days.

Can I freeze the whole cake after baking it?

I have frozen this cake ahead of time. Let it thaw a few hours before serving on a platter covered in plastic wrap to conserve moisture.

Do I need to store the coffee cake in the refrigerator?

Some people like to store their coffee cakes in the refrigerator. This recipe has a different texture from a crumbling coffee cake. You do not need to store this in the fridge; your kitchen countertop works great.

What makes a coffee cake different than a cake?

Coffee cake is different than a regular cake because a typical cake is frosted. Coffee cake usually has a streusel topping or cinnamon with brown sugar swirled into the batter.

What makes coffee cake different?

Coffee cake is usually served in the morning with coffee or tea. It usually is more crumbly than this recipe. I like my coffee cake moist.

Does a coffee cake have coffee in it?

No, coffee cake does not have coffee—at least, not in my recipe. Growing up, my mother always made a coffee cake with Bisquick. It was good, but it was drier and crumblier.

Is the coffee cake a dessert?

It could be a dessert. I would sprinkle some confectioner’s sugar on it to dress it up, but to me, it’s beautiful.

What can I serve with this recipe?

• Cup of Coffee
• Tea
• Milk
• Orange Juice
• Hot Cocoa or Hot Chocolate
• Fresh Fruit
• Sliced Cheese

Final Word

Let me know if you make my favorite coffee cake, I need to start making two at a time now because it disappears too fast around here! Be ready to hand out the recipe, my friends. It’s perfect for the holidays, trust me. God bless this world, Linda