The Best Coffee Cake Recipe: Moist, Fluffy & Irresistible

Marbled coffee cake blends decadent flavors into a mesmerizing dessert that crafts ordinary baking into an art form.

Sweet aromas waft through kitchens, promising a sensory adventure beyond traditional pastries.

Dense and luxurious, this cake marries complex taste profiles with visual drama.

Chocolate and cinnamon dance together, creating intricate patterns that captivate both eyes and palate.

Soft crumb and elegant swirls make this confection a centerpiece that sparks conversation among friends and family.

Subtle hints of warmth intermingle with deep, robust undertones, elevating a simple cake into a gourmet experience.

Prepare to indulge in a slice of pure, velvety bliss.

Marbled Coffee Cake: A Delicious and Swirled Delight

• Indulge in Marbled Elegance: This coffee cake offers a stunning visual swirl that makes each slice look like a delectable work of art, creating an impressive dessert perfect for gatherings.
• Crunch Meets Softness: The delightful combination of tender cake and crunchy walnut streusel provides a mesmerizing textural contrast that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Quick and Simple Baking Adventure: With just 30-40 minutes of baking time and straightforward mixing steps, even novice bakers can confidently create a professional-looking dessert without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need for Marbled Coffee Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base for the cakes structure and texture, providing the essential foundation for the batter.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb in the coffee cake.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide moisture and richness to the cake.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, tender cake batter.
• Vanilla: Provides a warm, classic flavoring that complements the coffee cakes taste.
• Oil or Butter: Contributes to the cakes moisture and creates a rich, tender texture.

• Walnuts: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to the streusel topping.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the streusel.
• Cinnamon: Offers warm, aromatic spice that enhances the cakes flavor profile.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for finishing the coffee cake.
• Chilled Butter: Helps create small, crumbly texture in the streusel topping.

How to Bake the Perfect Marbled Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Streusel Topping

• Flour
• Chopped walnuts
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Cut in chilled butter until the mixture forms small, crumbly lumps.

Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

• Eggs
• Oil or butter
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Layer the Cake

Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture over the batter. Carefully add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the streusel.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze

Let the cake cool for 15 minutes. Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and let it set for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Getting the Right Texture in Marbled Coffee Cake

• Create Consistent Streusel: Freeze butter for 10-15 minutes before cutting into flour mixture, ensuring small, distinct crumbly pieces that distribute evenly throughout the cake.
• Prevent Sinking Streusel: Lightly dust streusel ingredients with a tablespoon of flour before sprinkling, helping them remain suspended in the batter instead of sinking to the bottom.
• Master the Marble Effect: Gently swirl batter layers with a butter knife, creating beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing and losing the distinct cake texture.
• Check Moisture Levels: Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, indicating a perfectly baked, tender cake.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast walnuts briefly before adding to streusel to intensify their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile to the coffee cake.

How to Keep Your Marbled Coffee Cake Fresh

• Refrigeration: Wrap the cooled coffee cake tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the cake moist and fresh. Serve chilled or bring to room temperature before enjoying.
• Freezing: Slice the cake and wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Add a small drizzle of milk to restore moisture if the cake seems dry.

Best Pairings for Marbled Coffee Cake

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this marbled coffee cake with a robust medium-roast Colombian coffee, highlighting the cake's warm cinnamon and nutty walnut undertones, creating a harmonious morning breakfast experience.
• Elevate with Creamy Complement: Serve alongside a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of cinnamon ice cream to enhance the cake's rich, sweet profile and provide a luxurious temperature contrast.
• Nutty Beverage Balance: Match the cake with a smooth chai latte or almond milk, which will complement the walnuts and cinnamon, adding depth and creating a cozy, comforting flavor connection.
• Weekend Brunch Pairing: Create a delightful spread by adding fresh berries or a light fruit compote to the plate, cutting through the cake's sweetness and offering a refreshing palate cleansing element.

Fun Twists on Marbled Coffee Cake

• Chocolate Swirl Coffee Cake: Add cocoa powder to half the batter, creating rich chocolate marbling. Enhance the streusel with chocolate chips for extra decadence.
• Seasonal Berry Marble Cake: Fold fresh blueberries or raspberries into portions of the batter. Sprinkle freeze-dried berry pieces on top of the streusel for vibrant flavor bursts.
• Nutty Spice Variant: Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds. Incorporate ground cardamom and nutmeg into the cake batter for warm, aromatic undertones. Drizzle with maple glaze instead of traditional sugar glaze.
• Cream Cheese Marble Edition: Swirl cream cheese mixture between cake layers for a tangy, rich texture. Add a hint of orange zest to complement the cream cheese and enhance overall complexity.

Coffee Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Marbled Coffee Cake delivers a delightful dance of chocolate and vanilla swirls in each heavenly slice. Rich, moist layers intertwine with complementary flavors, creating a sophisticated dessert perfect for morning coffee or elegant afternoon gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter (113 grams)
• 2 large eggs

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons whole milk

Sweeteners and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup cocoa powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 x 13 inches (23 x 33 centimeters) baking pan with parchment paper, lightly coating with cooking spray.
2. Create the streusel by combining all-purpose flour, finely chopped walnuts, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl. Cut chilled unsalted butter into small pieces and work into the dry ingredients until crumbly texture forms.
3. Prepare the cake batter by whisking together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate large eggs, vegetable oil or melted unsalted butter, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
4. Distribute approximately half of the cake batter evenly across the prepared pan, then sprinkle half of the prepared streusel mixture over the layer. Carefully pour the remaining cake batter on top and finish by generously scattering the remaining streusel across the surface.
5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
6. Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk until smooth and drizzling over the slightly cooled cake. Let the glaze set for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• This coffee cake transforms ordinary baking into a delightful weekend morning treat with swirls of rich flavor and crunchy texture.
• Walnuts add a delectable nutty crunch that perfectly complements the soft, tender cake layers.
• Gentle marbling technique creates beautiful visual contrast between cake and streusel, making each slice a stunning presentation.
• Versatile recipe works wonderfully for breakfast gatherings, brunch parties, or sweet afternoon snack moments.
• Homemade glaze drizzled on top elevates the entire dessert, adding a sweet finishing touch that makes everyone crave another slice.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 96g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 104g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: <5mg