Introduction
Warm, sweet, and irresistibly soft, this Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake is the perfect blend of cozy cinnamon goodness and moist, buttery cake. Swirled with brown sugar and a hint of crunch from optional walnuts, this homemade delight is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and a rich, nostalgic flavorthis coffee cake will quickly become a household favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix the batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Incorporate the wet and dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, alternating with milk. Stir until just combined don’t overmix!
- Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and walnuts (if using).
- Assemble the cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remaining batter on top and finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
- Swirl it: Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Variations
- Nut-Free Option – If you prefer a smooth, soft texture or have allergies, simply skip the walnuts. You’ll still get all the cinnamon-sugar goodness!
- Extra Cinnamon Kick – Love cinnamon? Add an extra ½ teaspoon to the batter or sprinkle a little on top before baking for even more warm spice.
- Glazed Finish – Drizzle a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) over the cooled cake for a touch of extra sweetness and a bakery-style finish.
- Whole Wheat Twist – Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and slightly nutty flavor.
Cooking Notes
- Don’t Overmix – Overmixing can make the cake dense rather than fluffy. Stir just until the ingredients come together.
- Proper Swirling – When creating the cinnamon swirl, don’t mix too aggressively. A few light swirls with a knife will keep the layers distinct and beautiful.
- Oven Check – Every oven is different! Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, lightly cover with foil for the remaining baking time.
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect with Coffee or Tea – A warm slice pairs beautifully with a morning cup of coffee or a cozy mug of chai tea.
- Dressed-Up Dessert – Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent after-dinner treat.
- Brunch Star – Include this cake in a brunch spread alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and eggs for a well-rounded, comforting meal.
Tips
- Storage for Freshness – Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Hack – Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – You can mix the batter the night before, store it in the fridge, and bake fresh in the morning. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Sugar: 24g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes! Bake it a day ahead and store it at room temperature in an airtight container. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle. -
Can I use a different pan size?
If using an 8×8-inch pan, increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes. If using a loaf pan, it may need 45-50 minutes. Always check for doneness with a toothpick. -
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
You can substitute brown sugar with white sugar + 1 teaspoon of molasses, or just use white sugar, though the flavor may be slightly different. -
How do I make this a layered coffee cake?
Instead of swirling the cinnamon sugar, layer it between two thinner cake layers. This creates a more distinct cinnamon filling effect.
Conclusion
This Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake is the ultimate comfort bake soft, sweet, and swirled with the perfect amount of cinnamon sugar goodness. Whether you’re enjoying it with coffee in the morning, as an afternoon snack, or as a cozy dessert, this homemade cake is sure to be a hit. Best of all, it’s easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and perfect for sharing!
So preheat your oven, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s get baking! 🍰✨
Print
Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, sweet, and irresistibly soft, this Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake is the perfect blend of cozy cinnamon goodness and moist, buttery cake. Swirled with brown sugar and a hint of crunch from optional walnuts, this homemade delight is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and a rich, nostalgic flavor—this coffee cake will quickly become a household favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
-
1 cup milk
-
2 large eggs
-
1 tablespoon baking powder
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-
½ teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
-
½ cup brown sugar, packed
-
¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
-
Mix the batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
-
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
-
Incorporate the wet and dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, alternating with milk. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix!
-
Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and walnuts (if using).
-
Assemble the cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remaining batter on top and finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
-
Swirl it: Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together, creating a marbled effect.
-
Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Cool and serve: Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Notes
Don’t Overmix – Overmixing can make the cake dense rather than fluffy. Stir just until the ingredients come together.
Proper Swirling – When creating the cinnamon swirl, don’t mix too aggressively. A few light swirls with a knife will keep the layers distinct and beautiful.
Oven Check – Every oven is different! Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, lightly cover with foil for the remaining baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Coffee cake, cinnamon swirl, Amish coffee cake, easy coffee cake, homemade coffee cake