Introduction
When Ella Chef opened her first little café on a quiet street corner, she wanted to serve something that paired perfectly with her freshly brewed coffee. One rainy morning, as the aroma of roasted beans filled the air, she decided to bake a buttery cake swirled with cinnamon and topped with a crunchy crumb layer. That creation — her signature Coffee Cake — became the café’s most requested treat. Ella always said, “It’s not just a cake; it’s comfort in every bite.” Her warm, homestyle recipe continues to inspire bakers who crave that classic combination of sweetness and spice.
Classic Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, alternating with milk.
- Pour half of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture. Add remaining batter and top with remaining cinnamon sugar.
- For the streusel topping, mix flour, brown sugar, and butter with a fork until crumbly. Stir in nuts if desired, then sprinkle evenly on top.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
How to Make Coffee Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter and flour. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy — this creates the soft, airy texture that defines a great coffee cake. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk to maintain smooth consistency. Once the batter is well combined, pour half into the prepared pan. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle half of this mixture over the first layer of batter. Add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar for a beautiful swirl.
Now, prepare the crumbly streusel topping: mix flour, brown sugar, and cold cubed butter with a fork until crumbly, then add chopped pecans or walnuts if desired. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on top of the cake.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm for breakfast or as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee — the cinnamon aroma and buttery crumble will fill your kitchen with cozy charm.
Conclusion
Ella Chef’s coffee cake is more than just a sweet — it’s a timeless comfort food. With its buttery layers, warm cinnamon filling, and crunchy streusel topping, it embodies everything we love about homemade baking. Perfect for slow mornings, cozy weekends, or unexpected guests, this recipe brings the café experience right into your home. Every slice pairs beautifully with coffee, reminding us that simple moments — like sharing cake — often create the sweetest memories.