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Freshly baked muffins and coffee cake on a wooden table

What Is the Difference Between Muffins and Coffee Cake?


  • Author: Vera
  • Total Time: 55–60 minutes
  • Yield: 1216 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Classic Coffee Cake is a soft, buttery delight with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and a crumbly streusel topping. Perfectly moist and tender, it pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or as a sweet afternoon treat. This easy-to-make recipe brings together warm spices and a hint of vanilla for a comforting, nostalgic bake. Serve it fresh out of the oven for a cozy and irresistible experience!


Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (or buttermilk for extra tang)
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) melted butter or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumb Topping

  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons (45 g) cold butter, cubed
  • Pinch of salt


Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Oven
    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Eventually, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Altogether, ensure the mixture is well combined to promote even baking.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract. Initially, make sure everything is at room temperature to achieve a uniform consistency.
  4. Incorporate Wet and Dry
    Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Subsequently, stir gently until just combined. The batter should appear thick but still pourable, reminiscent of a muffin batter.
  5. Prepare the Crumb Topping
    In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or a fork. Eventually, the mixture will form coarse crumbs.
  6. Assemble the Coffee Cake
    Pour half the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle a handful of crumb topping if desired. Next, pour the remaining batter. Finally, scatter the rest of the crumb topping over the top.
  7. Bake
    Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Afterward, test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
  8. Cool and Serve
    Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Eventually, invert it onto a wire rack or serving plate. Slice and enjoy warm with a hot beverage.

Notes

  • Variations: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for extra crunch.
  • Dietary Adjustments: Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version. Substitute dairy-free butter and plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze slices for longer storage.
  • Serving Suggestion: Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
  • Calories: ~280 kcal
  • Sugar: ~22g
  • Sodium: ~150mg
  • Fat: ~12g
  • Saturated Fat: ~7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~4g
  • Trans Fat: ~0g
  • Carbohydrates: ~40g
  • Fiber: ~1g
  • Protein: ~4g
  • Cholesterol: ~50mg