Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake

Some days I just feel like baking. This isn’t something that happens often, but when I do, I can’t stop thinking about a delicious warm, baked good. On this particular afternoon, I really wanted something sweet to go with my afternoon coffee, and a Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake sounded perfect. After looking through my Pinterest (I’d love if you followed me!) I decided to go with a coffee cake,  but couldn’t settle on a recipe.

This Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake is a decadent, must try recipe!

Since I don’t bake often, I don’t always know the science of things. I cannot often make up a baking recipe myself, so I instead took a bunch of ideas and put them together and hoped for the best! The base of this recipe is actually a bread, but I didn’t have baking soda, so had to make some changes. I also wanted to add some whole grains, so I swapped out some of the AP flour to make this heartier and give it some texture.

The results were great! I loved this with my afternoon coffee.

The best part though is the crust. It is hard to tell from the photos, but the top gets very crispy and sugary. When you take a bite you actually hear a crunch, which sets this apart from other coffee cakes. I baked this in a loaf pan so there would be more crusty edges, too. Although the crust makes this bread like, you still have the traditional cinnamon sugar swirl amongst a moist batter, that you find so often in coffee cake.

When I told my daughter I made “cake” she took one look at it and asked where the icing was. When I said it wasn’t birthday cake, she forgot all hesitations and dove right in! She asks me for more of Mommy’s Cake almost weekly now…which means it is probably time to whip another up!

Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake

Adapted from: Averie Cooks

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup 2 percent milk plus 1 tbsp. white vinegar (or use buttermilk)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white-whole wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch cinnamon
• pinch salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 by 5 loaf pan.

Combine your cinnamon and sugar in a separate bowl and set aside.

Melt your butter and then let cool for at least 2 minutes. Once cool, add in your egg, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla. Stir to combine and then whisk in buttermilk mixture.

In a different bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, and pinches of cinnamon and salt.

Combine your wet and dry ingredients and stir until incorporated. Don’t overmix! Lumps are okay!

Pour half of your batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Distribute 3/4 of your cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Pour remaining batter over and then top the loaf with the remaining cinnamon and sugar.

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until your top is crispy and your inside is set. Let this cool before trying to remove from the pan. You want to be able to invert this without breaking the crust (I actually dropped mine because it was too hot and killed my crust) so let it cool and then slide out when you can!

Enjoy! This bread keeps really well and gets moister as the days go on!

If you’re looking to elevate your Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake, there are countless delicious ways to customize and enhance it for any occasion.

Whether you’re baking for a cozy brunch, a holiday spread, or a weekend treat, these ingredient alternatives, creative mix-ins, and serving ideas can take your recipe to the next level.

Alternative Ingredients for Dietary Needs or Flavor Twists

To make your coffee cake a better fit for various diets, consider substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. You can also replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt for a lighter or lactose-free option. For a richer taste, use brown butter in place of regular butter. Coconut sugar or maple sugar can be used in place of white sugar to create a more complex caramel-like flavor in the cinnamon sugar crust.

Delicious Mix-Ins and Fillings

Add finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the cinnamon sugar layer for extra crunch and a nutty contrast. For a fruit-forward variation, swirl in a layer of chopped apples, pears, or fresh blueberries between the batter and cinnamon sugar crust. A ribbon of cream cheese filling also pairs beautifully with the warm spice profile.

Toppings and Garnishes to Dress It Up

To give your coffee cake a bakery-style finish, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or add a cream cheese icing. A sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving also adds a pretty touch. For a festive feel, garnish with candied pecans, orange zest, or a light dusting of edible glitter.

Serving Suggestions

This cake pairs wonderfully with a steaming mug of coffee or chai tea. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for dessert. For brunch, consider offering slices alongside fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, or a savory quiche to balance the sweetness.

Storage Tips

Keep your Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer shelf life. It also freezes well; simply wrap individual slices and thaw as needed for a ready-made indulgence.

By experimenting with these ingredient swaps and creative additions, you can tailor your Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake to suit any palate or dietary preference, all while maintaining its irresistible spiced crumb and sugary crunch.

Tools from Amazon for this recipe:

Here are three essential kitchen tools you’ll want to grab from Amazon to make a perfect Cinnamon Sugar Crusted Coffee Cake—each enhances ease, precision, and presentation:

Nordic Ware 9″ Springform Pan

A reliable non‑stick 9‑inch springform pan makes it easy to remove the coffee cake without flipping—ideal for cakes with a fragile cinnamon sugar crust. Nordic Ware delivers solid heat distribution and a tight seal to prevent leaks.

KitchenAid 5‑Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

This Amazon bestseller combines 5 speeds with powerful mixing—perfect for whipping up smooth cake batters and cinnamon swirls. Top-rated as an Amazon choice in baking tools.

Escali Telero Digital Kitchen Scale

Accurate to the gram, this digital scale ensures precise measurements—key to consistent results and balance in your cinnamon sugar layers.