Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake – This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake is everything you love about a cozy, homemade dessert: tender cake with a ribbon of sweet cinnamon and a buttery, caramelized topping that melts into the batter as it bakes. Topped with a simple vanilla glaze, it’s the perfect treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as a sweet dessert for any time of day. With just a handful of simple ingredients like flour, cinnamon, sugar, and milk, this coffee cake is easy, delicious, and so comforting.
The first time I baked this Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake, it was one of those spontaneous “let’s see what we have in the pantry” moments. I was looking for something simple yet special to serve with coffee for a family brunch. As it baked, the kitchen filled with the warm, inviting smell of cinnamon and vanilla. When my husband took a bite, he closed his eyes and said, “This is exactly what I was craving.” And my little one? Couldn’t get enough of the glaze! Now, this coffee cake is a go-to recipe whenever we want something that feels like a treat but is still simple enough to make on a whim.
What makes this Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake truly special?
This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake has the perfect blend of textures and flavors. The cake is soft and tender, while the cinnamon-sugar topping creates a buttery, caramelized swirl that adds a sweet crunch. The vanilla glaze melts into the warm cake, creating that irresistible sweetness in every bite. It’s quick to make and bakes up beautifully in just one pan, making it a great choice for brunches, holidays, or just an afternoon pick-me-up.
What You Need To Make This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Recipe?
Flour: This is the foundation of the cake. All-purpose flour gives the cake its structure and makes it light and fluffy. No fancy flour needed here—just regular flour works great.
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness to the cake itself and balances out the cinnamon spice. It’s just the right amount to keep the cake sweet without going overboard.
Eggs: Eggs are the secret to that perfect cake texture. They help the cake rise and give it a bit of richness and a soft, tender crumb.
Milk: Whole milk makes the cake moist and fluffy, but if you only have 2%, it’ll work just fine. The milk really brings everything together and keeps the cake from drying out.
Baking Powder: This is what helps the cake rise and makes it airy. Without it, you’d have a very dense cake, so it’s a must for that light texture.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds that warm, comforting flavor to the cake that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon. A teaspoon is all you need to give the cake a cozy, bakery-style taste.
Butter: Melted butter is the magic in the topping. It combines with the brown sugar and cinnamon to make that caramelized, buttery swirl that everyone loves. Make sure it’s unsalted so you can control the sweetness and flavor.
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon: These two are the stars of the topping, bringing in that rich, caramel-like sweetness and warmth. Brown sugar adds moisture and a bit of chew, while cinnamon gives that classic coffee cake flavor.
Powdered Sugar: This is for the glaze on top, which adds a touch of extra sweetness and makes the cake look beautiful. It melts into the cake when it’s still warm, so every slice has that little extra sweetness.
Steps To Make Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake:
Preheat the Oven: First, set your oven to 350°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Spray a baking pan with non-stick spray (the kind with flour is even better) to keep the cake from sticking.
Mix the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk, and baking powder. Stir everything together until you’ve got a smooth batter, making sure there are no lumps left.
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Pour the Batter: Pour your batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to reach the edges.
Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of flour. Stir until you have a thick, sugary mixture—it’ll smell amazing!
Swirl the Topping: Spoon the topping mixture over the batter in small dollops. Use a knife to gently swirl it through the cake, creating that marbled effect that gives it a beautiful look and an extra burst of cinnamon flavor in each bite.
Bake: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. To check if it’s done, stick a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s ready! If it needs a bit more time, bake for another few minutes.
Make the Glaze: While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2–3 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until it’s smooth. This is your simple glaze to drizzle over the top.
Glaze the Cake: When the cake is out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the glaze all over. Let it set for a few minutes until it soaks in and gets that lovely, sweet finish.
Slice and Enjoy: Once the glaze has set, slice up your coffee cake and dig in. Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea!
Tip:
For the best flavor and texture, don’t skip the swirl! The cinnamon-sugar topping adds that extra layer of sweetness and caramel-like flavor as it melts into the cake, so take your time with it. Drop spoonfuls of the topping evenly over the batter, and then gently swirl it with a knife to create those pretty marbled lines. This will give every bite that perfect mix of buttery, cinnamon goodness. And if you want a little extra crunch, sprinkle a tiny bit of coarse sugar on top before baking—it adds a nice texture and sparkle to each slice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This coffee cake stays fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days if you keep it tightly covered. You can also refrigerate it for about a week. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just warm up a slice in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that fresh-baked feel.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Slice the cake into portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and pop them into a freezer bag. This way, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave a slice straight from the freezer when you’re craving something sweet.
What if I don’t have powdered sugar for the glaze?
If you’re out of powdered sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar until it’s fine and powdery. It might be a bit more grainy, but it works in a pinch. You can also skip the glaze entirely—the cake is still deliciously sweet without it!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 3 c flour
- 1 c granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 c whole milk 2% works fine too
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 c unsalted butter melted
- 1 c brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons flour
Glaze:
- 1 c powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 –3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by setting your oven to 350°F so it’s ready when you are.
- Prepare the Pan: Grab your baking pan and give it a good coating of non-stick spray, ideally, one with flour added to prevent sticking.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, eggs, vanilla, sugar, milk, and baking powder. Give everything a good stir until the batter is nice and smooth, with no lumps left.
- Pour into the Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter until well combined.
- Add the Topping: Spoon the topping mixture over the batter in small dollops. Then, use a knife to gently swirl it through the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake the Cake: Pop the pan into the oven and let it bake for about 35–40 minutes. Check it with a toothpick—if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s done. If it’s not quite done, let it bake for a few more minutes.
- Make the Glaze: While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a small bowl to make a smooth glaze.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let it sit until the glaze sets completely.
- Serve: Slice up the cake and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
