Description
This Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake is a delightful, moist cake featuring a tender crumb and a crunchy streusel topping. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or brunches, it combines a rich sour cream batter with warm cinnamon-streusel and optional glaze for an extra touch of sweetness. Easy to bake and sure to impress, this cake fills your kitchen with festive aromas and sets a joyful tone for Christmas day gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter, and chopped nuts if using. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside to maintain texture.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine dry ingredients. Add the softened butter, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
- Layer Batter and Topping: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Then, pour the remaining batter on top and spread evenly. Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel topping evenly over the top layer.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Prepare the Glaze (optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the amount of milk to achieve the desired glaze consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle the optional glaze over the warm cake if desired to add extra sweetness and moisture.
Notes
- You can substitute the nuts in the streusel topping with your favorite variety or omit them for nut-free version.
- Almond extract adds a lovely flavor but can be omitted if unavailable or if you prefer a more subtle taste.
- For easier cleanup, line your baking dish with parchment paper instead of greasing and flouring.
- The coffee cake is best enjoyed the same day but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
