Coffee Cake Recipe — Simple Cinnamon Coffee Cake for Your Morning Break
Nothing pairs better with a fresh cup than a slice of homemade coffee cake. This one is quick, easy, and loaded with cinnamon topping — the kind of thing you make on a Sunday and enjoy all week during your morning shift break. Pairs best with a smooth medium roast that echoes the cinnamon warmth without competing with it.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- 9x9 baking pan
- Oven
Ingredients
Cake
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9 baking pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, butter, egg, milk, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth. Don't overmix — lumps are fine and keep it tender.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Mix cinnamon topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool slightly, slice, and serve alongside a fresh cup.
Pro Tips
- Don't overmix the batter — lumps are fine and keep the cake tender
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch
- Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for a bakery-style finish
- Stores well covered at room temperature for 3 days
- Make it Sunday night and you've got a week of shift breaks covered
Best No Shift Coffee to Pair With Coffee Cake
A smooth, clean medium roast complements the cinnamon and butter without overpowering it. The cinnamon in the topping echoes the warmth of a breakfast blend perfectly.
- The First Shift — Breakfast Blend | 12oz — Smooth South American medium roast. The natural everyday pairing for coffee cake — clean, balanced, and never bitter.
- Cinnabun — Cinnamon Roll Flavored Coffee | 12oz — Warm cinnamon flavor that mirrors the topping. Doubles down on the cinnamon experience in the best possible way.
FAQ
Q: What is coffee cake?
A: Coffee cake is a moist, tender cake typically flavored with cinnamon and topped with a streusel or crumb topping. Despite the name, it doesn't always contain coffee — it's named for being the cake you eat with coffee, not one made from it.
Q: Can I add actual coffee to coffee cake?
A: Yes — add 1–2 tablespoons of finely ground coffee to the batter for a subtle coffee flavor. The First Shift — Breakfast Blend works well for this; its smooth, clean profile adds warmth without bitterness.
Q: How long does coffee cake last?
A: Covered at room temperature, 3 days. In the fridge, up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds before serving.
Q: What coffee pairs best with coffee cake?
A: A smooth medium roast like The First Shift — Breakfast Blend. The clean, balanced flavor complements the cinnamon and butter without competing. Cinnabun — Cinnamon Roll Flavored Coffee is also an exceptional pairing that doubles down on the cinnamon theme.
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