Dessert

Cinnamon Crumble Coffee Cake Recipe

ByJack Voss March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

Introduction

This Cinnamon Crumble Coffee Cake is a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. With its tender crumb, rich cinnamon flavor, and buttery crumble topping, it pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or tea.

The image shows a close-up of a square piece of crumb cake with three distinct layers. The bottom layer is a soft, light beige cake base with a moist and fluffy texture. The middle layer contains a darker, cinnamon-brown swirl running through the cake, appearing slightly denser than the base. The top layer is a thick, crumbly streusel topping with a golden-brown color and coarse texture, made of small and large clumps. The crumb cake pieces are placed on a white plate over a white marbled surface, with some crumbs scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¾ cup melted butter (1½ sticks)
1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup butter (softened)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup sour cream
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
Step 2: To make the cinnamon crumble, combine the melted butter, 1½ cups flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Stir with a fork until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
Step 3: For the coffee cake, beat the softened butter and white sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or wooden spoon. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then fold in the sour cream.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the butter mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 5: Grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread half of the coffee cake batter evenly in the dish. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon crumble over the batter. Spread the remaining batter on top, then finish by sprinkling the remaining crumble.
Step 6: Bake for 42 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into 16 squares. Serve warm with coffee or your preferred beverage.

Tips & Variations

For extra texture, add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping.
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier flavor and a slight protein boost.
Try adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the batter to enhance the coffee flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in a low oven before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up of a square piece of crumb cake showing two main layers: the bottom layer is soft, light beige cake with a slightly moist texture, and the top layer is a thick, crumbly streusel topping in shades of light to medium brown with a sandy texture. There are visible cinnamon swirls mixed into the cake near the middle, giving a darker brown marbled effect. The cake piece sits on a white plate with a smooth surface, and small cake crumbs are scattered near it. In the background, blurred pieces of crumb cake with similar layers are visible on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this coffee cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter and crumble topping the night before. Assemble the cake just before baking and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

Can I substitute butter with oil?

Butter provides flavor and texture that oil won’t fully replicate, especially in the crumble topping. It’s best to use butter for this recipe to achieve the intended taste and crumbly texture.