coffee cake

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step classic coffee cake recipe (the traditional kind—no coffee in the cake, meant to be eaten with coffee ☕🍰).

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Classic Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake

🕒 Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Bake: 40–45 minutes
• Total: ~1 hour

🍽 Serves

• 8–10 slices

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Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)

Cinnamon Crumb Topping

• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Oven & Pan

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Grease a 9×9-inch square pan or line with parchment paper

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2️⃣ Make the Crumb Topping

1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour
2. Pour in melted butter
3. Stir until large, crumbly clumps form
4. Set aside (it will firm up slightly)

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3️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

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4️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes)
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
3. Mix in vanilla extract

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5️⃣ Combine Batter

1. Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture
2. Mix in the sour cream
3. Add remaining dry ingredients
4. Mix just until combined (don’t overmix)

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6️⃣ Assemble the Cake

1. Spread ½ of the batter evenly into the pan
2. Sprinkle ½ of the crumb topping over the batter
3. Add remaining batter and gently spread
4. Top with remaining crumb mixture

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7️⃣ Bake

• Bake for 40–45 minutes
• Cake is done when:
  • A toothpick comes out clean
  • Top is golden brown

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8️⃣ Cool & Serve

• Let cool for 15–20 minutes
• Slice and serve warm or at room temperature

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✅ Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the cake soft
• Sour cream gives the best moisture and flavor
• For extra flavor, add:
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans
  • A swirl of cinnamon sugar inside

If you want:

• Coffee-flavored cake
• Gluten-free version
• Chocolate or streusel-heavy version