Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

This copycat Starbucks cinnamon coffee cake recipe takes the classic coffee cake and  streusel topping and gives it a kick of even more sweet cinnamon flavor with a delicious cinnamon sugar layer in the center! It’s a wonderful twist on coffee cake that takes everything we love about this classic sweet treat and amplifies it! 

Coffee cake has always been a favorite of mine. Of course, anything sweet is a favorite of mine, but coffee cake really does hold a special place in my heart. I have many fond memories of enjoying coffee cake with coffee, tea, or even a light cocktail with my girlfriends at brunch or bringing out a loaf of this classic sweet treat for family and friends at parties and holidays. That moist, crumbly texture, sweet cinnamon flavor, and cinnamon streusel topping are part of so many memories. To keep things interesting, I decided to take classic cinnamon coffee cake and give it a little something extra with the addition of a cinnamon sugar layer in the center of the cake. It’s an easy variation that adds so much flavor without any extra work. 

 Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

This simple variation of the classic cinnamon coffee cake starts with a basic coffee cake batter made extra moist and tender with sour cream. I pour half the batter into a baking dish and top it with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Then, I add the rest of the batter and the streusel topping. After that, I simply bake it until it’s golden and serve it to everyone. It’s absolutely delicious and so easy to make, and the extra cinnamon sugar layer in the center is a surprise that everyone loves. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It takes the cinnamon flavor of classic coffee cake and kicks it up with a cinnamon sugar layer in the center. 
• It only uses a few simple baking ingredients. 
• It’s an easy recipe even beginners can make. 
• The classic cinnamon flavor is perfect for any occasion. 

Ingredients

This is a basic coffee cake recipe that only uses simple baking ingredients you can find in any grocery store. You’ll find everything you need in one quick trip to your local grocery store, Target, Walmart, or supermarket. 

  Streusel Topping

• ⅔ cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt, I used fine sea salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold or slightly room temperature

 Cinnamon Sugar Center Filling

• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup All-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

 Coffee Cake

• 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt, I used fine sea salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Make This Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Making this delicious coffee cake is no more difficult than any other one. It’s a basic recipe that only has one super-easy addition. You’ll be all done in no time! 

1. Mix the streusel ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. 
2. Mix the cinnamon sugar center ingredients in another small bowl and set aside. 
3. Mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. 
4. Cream the butter and both sugars with a hand mixer. 
5. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix gently. Then, add the sour cream and mix.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Try not to over mix. This is important for the best texture.
7. Spray a 9 x 9 square glass baking dish and line with a folded over parchment paper. Leave an overhang on two sides. Pour half the coffee cake batter into it. Using a rubber spatula, spread evenly.
8. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar  over the top of the batter, then pour the rest of the batter on top of that. 
9. Sprinkle the batter with the streusel topping evenly as possible.
   Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes our clean or with dryish crumbs. 
10. Cool the coffee cake in the pan on a wire rack for 25 minutes. Then, gently remove the cake with the parchment paper “wings” and let cool completely on a wire rack. Enjoy! 

Substitutions and Variations

• If you don’t have sour cream you can use full-fat Greek yogurt. 
• Try adding cinnamon baking chips to the coffee cake for even more flavor. 
• You can add chopped pecans to your streusel mixture. 
• For a super tender coffee cake, try using cake flour. 

Tips

• It’s important to mix your coffee cake ingredients until just combined and no further to avoid a dense texture. 
• Be sure your butter is fully softened so you get a fluffy, creamy mix of butter and sugar before adding the rest of the wet ingredients. 
• Leave enough parchment paper on the sides of the pan so you can use them to remove the coffee cake to cool completely. 

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Hand mixer
• 9×9 baking dish
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling rack

What to Serve with This Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Serve this coffee cake with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. You can also try serving it alongside fresh berries or even a scoop of ice cream. 

More Coffee Cake Recipes

If you’re a fan of coffee cake, then I think you’ll enjoy these delicious variations. Give them all a try! 

• Pear Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Cranberry Coffee Cake
• Upside Down Apple Caramel Cake

FAQ

What is coffee cake? 

Coffee cake is a sweet bread common in the United States typically containing cinnamon and a streusel topping. 

Why is it called coffee cake? 

Coffee cake gets its name because it’s generally served with coffee? 

Is coffee cake quick bread?

No. Coffee cake is sort of its own thing. Its batter is a bit thinner than quick bread but thicker than cake. It’s sort of a combination of the two. 

Why is my coffee cake so dense? 

If you overmix your batter ingredients, you’ll create too much gluten. This leads to a dense, tough coffee cake. 

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    Bye for now!