Get ready to discover the absolute best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake recipe you will ever make. This cake is unbelievably moist, loaded with a thick ribbon of buttery brown sugar and cinnamon, and topped with a simple, sweet vanilla glaze. It’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any brunch or gathering. Forget dry, crumbly coffee cakes; this recipe delivers a tender, rich crumb every single time.
We’re not just making a cake; we’re creating an experience. The magic is in the details, from the rich sour cream that guarantees a moist texture to the perfectly balanced cinnamon filling that stays beautifully suspended in the middle. This is the homemade coffee cake that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Recipe is a Keeper
There are countless coffee cake recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. It’s meticulously tested to ensure a perfect result, even for beginner bakers. The secret lies in the balance of ingredients and the technique for layering.
Unbelievably Moist Crumb: Thanks to the inclusion of sour cream, this cake stays tender and moist for days.
Perfect Cinnamon Swirl: We use a thick cinnamon-sugar filling that creates a distinct, beautiful ribbon without sinking to the bottom.
Simple & Approachable: The instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, using common pantry staples.
Versatile Delight: Perfect for a cozy breakfast, a special brunch, or a simple dessert after dinner. If you love this, you’ll also adore our easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
The Key Ingredients for the Perfect Coffee Cake
This recipe uses simple, high-quality ingredients to achieve its incredible flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Cake Batter
The foundation of our cake is a rich, buttery batter that gets its signature tenderness from sour cream.
The perfect slice to go with your morning coffee.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cake.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The leavening agents that give the cake its beautiful lift.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy batter.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender texture.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
Sour Cream: The star ingredient for a super moist coffee cake.
For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling
This isn’t just a sprinkle of cinnamon; it’s a thick, buttery filling that creates a decadent swirl throughout the cake.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon: The heart of the swirl, providing that classic warm spice flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the filling so it doesn’t dissolve into the batter.
Melted Butter: Binds the filling together into a paste-like consistency.
For the Simple Vanilla Glaze
A sweet, simple glaze is the perfect finishing touch.
Powdered Sugar: Dissolves easily for a smooth, lump-free glaze.
Milk or Cream: To thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Vanilla Extract: Complements the flavors in the cake.
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless coffee cake. We’ll break it down into preparing the components and assembling the final cake.
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling and Dry Ingredients
Start by getting your components ready. In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and all-purpose flour for the filling. Pour in the melted butter and stir until a thick, crumbly paste forms. Set this aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for the cake batter.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for a light cake.
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here.
Look at that perfect swirl! A moist, tender crumb in every bite.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so stop as soon as the flour streaks disappear.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake Layers
Spread half of the cake batter evenly into a greased and floured 9×9 inch baking pan. Sprinkle the prepared cinnamon swirl filling evenly over the top. Gently spoon the remaining cake batter over the cinnamon layer and spread it carefully to the edges. For a different but equally delicious breakfast treat, try these Blueberry Oat Snack Bars.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
While the cake is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (starting with 1 tablespoon), and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk as needed to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm coffee cake. Serve warm and enjoy!
The Secret to the Perfect “No-Sink” Cinnamon Swirl
The biggest frustration with a cinnamon swirl coffee cake is when the filling sinks to the bottom. The key is thickness. By adding a bit of flour and melted butter to the cinnamon-sugar mixture, we create a paste that’s substantial enough to be supported by the cake batter. Layering it gently between two layers of batter, rather than aggressively swirling with a knife, ensures it stays right in the middle where it belongs.
This technique creates that coveted, distinct ribbon of cinnamon that looks as good as it tastes. For those who love cinnamon flavors, our Brown Sugar Cinnamon Blondies are another must-try recipe from our collection of sweet treat recipes.
Storing Your Coffee Cake
This cake is so moist it stays fresh for days. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. For best results, allow it to come to room temperature before serving, or gently warm a slice in the microwave for a few seconds.
The secret to a moist coffee cake is an acidic dairy product like sour cream or buttermilk. It adds moisture without thinning the batter and helps create a very tender crumb. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added.
To prevent the cinnamon filling from sinking, it needs to be thick. We achieve this by adding a tablespoon of flour and melted butter to the cinnamon-sugar mix, creating a paste. Layering this between two halves of the batter, rather than swirling aggressively, helps it stay perfectly in the middle.
Absolutely! This cake is a great make-ahead option. You can bake it a day in advance; just wait to add the glaze until you’re ready to serve. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. Let it come to room temperature or gently warm a slice before serving.
Yes, you can substitute full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream in a 1:1 ratio. It will provide a similar tangy flavor and help keep the cake moist and tender.
Craving More?
We hope you love this incredible Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake! It’s a labor of love that we’re so excited to share. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We’d love to see your creations, so don’t forget to share a photo on Pinterest!
Nothing beats a warm slice of homemade Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake.
Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Recipe
FL Recipes
Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake: The Ultimate Moist Recipe
The ultimate recipe for a perfectly moist Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake. Features a thick, buttery cinnamon-sugar ribbon, a tender sour cream crumb, and a sweet vanilla glaze. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch baking pan.
In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and 1 tbsp of flour. Pour in the melted butter and mix until a crumbly paste forms. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and sour cream. Mix until just combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon filling over the batter. Top with the remaining batter and spread gently to the edges.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes.
While the cake cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tbsp of milk, and vanilla extract. Add more milk until you reach the desired consistency. Drizzle over the warm cake and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 5gFat: 22gFiber: 1g
Notes
Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate smoothly, creating a more uniform and tender crumb. Don't Overmix: When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cake tough instead of tender. Check for Doneness: Ovens vary, so start checking the cake around the 40-minute mark. A tester should come out with moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
