Description
This Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is a delightful bake that captures the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls in an easy-to-make coffee cake form. Featuring a moist, tender crumb swirled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a smooth glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir these together thoroughly to evenly distribute the leavening agent and sugar.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well blended. This will create the liquid base for the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Pour Batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter to create the signature cinnamon swirl.
- Add Butter Drops: Drop small spoonfuls of softened butter atop the cinnamon-sugar layer. This adds richness and helps meld the swirl into the cake when baked.
- Swirl Mixture: Using a knife, gently swirl the cinnamon sugar and butter through the batter to create a visually appealing marbled effect without overmixing.
- Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Make Glaze: While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a tablespoon of milk until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and while still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top for a sweet finishing touch that complements the cinnamon swirl.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and fluffy.
- If desired, warm the milk slightly for the glaze to help it combine smoothly with powdered sugar.
- For a richer flavor, use browned butter instead of melted butter in the batter.
- This cake is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon swirl adds a nice crunch.
