Cinnamon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
A soft and buttery coffee cake featuring a sweet cinnamon ripple and a creamy cream cheese center, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups All purpose flour Spoon and level it to avoid packing in too much.
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder Helps the cake rise.
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda Also contributes to rising.
- 1 teaspoon Salt Balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Control the salt in your cake.
- 1 cup Granulated sugar For sweetness in the cake.
- 2 large Eggs Room temperature is best.
- 1/2 cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt Keeps the cake moist.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Enhances flavor.
For the cream cheese layer
- 8 ounces Full fat cream cheese Best for a smooth, rich middle.
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
For the cinnamon filling and crumb topping
- 1/3 cup Brown sugar For the filling.
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon Use fresh if possible.
- 1/3 cup Melted butter For the crumb topping.
- 1 cup All purpose flour For the crumb topping.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C) and grease a 9x9 or 9x13 pan. Optionally, line the bottom with parchment paper.
Make the Cinnamon and Crumb Mixture
- In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl topping.
- In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter for the crumb topping until it resembles chunky sand.
Mix the Cake Batter
- Whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the sour cream.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until no flour streaks remain.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer
- Beat the cream cheese with sugar, an egg, and vanilla until smooth and lump-free.
Assemble the Cake
- Spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle most of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Gently spread the cream cheese layer over that.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top and spread carefully to avoid mixing with the cream cheese.
Bake and Cool
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the top.
- Bake for 40 to 55 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Allow the cake to cool before cutting for cleaner slices. This cake can be frozen; wrap slices individually.