Overview
Nothing pairs with a good cup of coffee like a sweet slice of coffee cake. With its crumbly streusel topping and moist cinnamon-sugar cake, this treat blends well with freshly brewed coffee and awakens the taste buds to a new level of flavor. You may be tempted to grab that instant coffee cake box at the grocery store, but this homemade alternative is well worth the extra effort. This recipe produces a coffee cake fluffy enough to rid you of the guilt of eating dessert for breakfast. Store easily in the refrigerator covered with foil and heat a slice in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. Pair with a coffee pour over and you are set up for a great start to the day.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9x13-inch pan with butter or vegetable oil spray.
Step 2
Streusel layer: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mash the butter into the mixture with a fork until fully combined. Consistency should be crumbly.
Step 3
Cinnamon-sugar layer: In another small bowl, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Set aside both streusel and cinnamon-sugar layer mixtures.
Step 4
Cake batter: In the stand mixer bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Use the paddle attachment to stir on low and combine. Add the softened butter. Beat on medium-low speed until the butter is fully mixed in (about two to three minutes). The cake batter should resemble moist sand.
Step 5
In a medium bowl, whisk the sour cream, milk, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry cake batter mixture. Beat on medium speed until batter is smooth. (A few small lumps may be present.)
Step 6
Spread half the cake batter into the greased pan. Take the set-aside cinnamon-sugar layer and sprinkle evenly over the cake batter. Spread the remaining batter on top. (Be careful of the cake batter's tendency to lift off the cinnamon layer.) Take the set-aside streusel layer and sprinkle evenly over the new layer of cake batter.
Step 7
Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes. When done, test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick does not come out clean, place back in the oven for another minute or two at a time before testing again (too long will make the edges of the cake too crunchy). If the toothpick comes out clean, cool on a rack for one hour before serving (or until the cake is room temperature).
Adapted from Simply Recipes.
