Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling

Makes

20 servings

Updated: Nov. 28, 2023
I love the excellent texture of this easy cinnamon coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma's! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2-3/4 cups sugar, divided
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth.
  2. Spoon a third of batter into a greased 10-in. tube pan. Combine cinnamon, nuts and remaining 3/4 cup sugar; sprinkle one-third of mixture over batter in pan. Repeat layers 2 more times. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 60-65 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Tips

Why is my cake dry?

If your coffee cake is dry, it may have been overbaked. Always bake to the minimum cooking time and check for doneness. It’s also important to measure the flour correctly. Before measuring, stir the flour with a spoon or whisk. Spoon the flour into a dry measuring cup until heaping; level with the flat side of a knife. For the most accurate measurement, we suggest weighing the flour.

Why does my coffee cake fall apart when I cut it?

Batter that is improperly mixed or undermixed can cause the cake to be crumbly. Careful mixing will evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the batter. Frequently scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl with a plastic spatula will ensure that all ingredients are combined. But be careful not to overmix, which can cause the cake to be tough.

What should I serve with coffee cake?

Coffee cake recipes taste great with a hot cup of joe! Serve slices with one of our homemade coffee shop drinks.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 340 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.