The Perfect Marbled Coffee Cake Recipe for Sunday Mornings

Marbled coffee cake with nutty crumb streusel dances between smooth, velvety layers and crunchy, caramelized edges.

Soft, tender cake intertwines with a rustic, golden-brown topping that promises delightful sensory experiences.

Subtle hints of warmth weave through each carefully crafted slice, inviting comfort and pure enjoyment.

Nuts add unexpected depth and complexity to this beloved dessert, refineing an ordinary cake into something extraordinary.

Delicate swirls create visual intrigue, promising a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Textural contrasts make this cake a standout among traditional sweet offerings.

You’ll fall in love with every decadent, crumbly bite.

Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel: A Delicious Breakfast Treat

• Craft Delightful Layers: This marbled coffee cake creates stunning visual and taste contrasts by blending batters, offering a delicious swirled pattern that makes each slice uniquely beautiful.
• Crunch Meets Softness: The nutty walnut streusel provides an incredible textural counterpoint to the tender, moist cake, delivering a satisfying crackle with every bite that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Quick Weekend Treat: With a total preparation and baking time under an hour, this recipe offers a speedy yet impressive breakfast or brunch option that feels special without demanding complex culinary skills, perfect for lazy weekend mornings or impromptu gatherings.

Key Ingredients for Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

• All-Purpose Flour, Cake Flour: Base for cake structure with light, tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Ensures cake rises and becomes fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to streusel.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide richness.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, classic flavor enhancement.

• Walnuts: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to streusel.
• Chilled Butter: Creates flaky, crumbly streusel texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Makes smooth, sweet glaze for finishing.

How to Make Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Warm up 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 Nutty Streusel Topping

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

Cut in chilled butter using your fingers until the mixture forms small, crumbly lumps. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

• Eggs
• Oil
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Beat with an electric mixer until the batter is smooth and well blended.

Step 4: Layer the Cake

Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with half of the streusel mixture.

Step 5: Add Final Layers

Pour the remaining batter over the first layer. Top with the rest of the streusel, ensuring even coverage.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cake springs back when lightly touched.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Finish with Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar and milk to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Allow the glaze to set for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for Perfect Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

• Butter Softening Strategy: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to ensure smooth mixing and even incorporation into the streusel.
• Nut Chopping Technique: Chop walnuts finely and evenly to distribute nutty flavor throughout the streusel and prevent large, tough pieces.
• Batter Marbling Magic: Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters together, creating beautiful marble patterns without overmixing.
• Moisture Preservation Trick: Cover the cake with aluminum foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly, preventing dryness while ensuring perfect internal texture.
• Glaze Application Pro Tip: Drizzle the glaze in a zigzag pattern for an elegant presentation, allowing it to set completely before serving to achieve a clean, professional look.

Storing and Reheating Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

• Refrigerate leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out. Preserve the cake's delicate texture by storing at room temperature for 1-2 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring out the warm, comforting flavors. When ready to enjoy, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow the cake to come to room temperature, which helps maintain its tender crumb and delicious nutty streusel texture.

Pairing Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel with Coffee

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Match: Pair this marbled coffee cake with a smooth medium roast Colombian coffee, highlighting the cake's walnut and cinnamon undertones while complementing its rich, sweet profile.
• Create a Dessert Wine Companion: Select a late harvest Riesling or a sweet Moscato d'Asti, which will enhance the cake's nutty streusel and provide a delightful balance to its sugary glaze.
• Elevate with Creamy Sidekick: Serve alongside a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of cinnamon ice cream to intensify the cake's warmth and add a luxurious texture contrast.
• Morning Breakfast Boost: Enjoy this cake with a cold glass of whole milk or a creamy chai latte, which will highlight the cake's comforting spices and provide a satisfying morning indulgence.

Fun Variations of Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

• Chocolate Marble Swirl: Incorporate melted dark chocolate into half the batter, creating rich chocolate and vanilla marbled layers that add depth and visual appeal to the traditional coffee cake.
• Seasonal Berry Infusion: Fold fresh blueberries or raspberries into the vanilla batter before marbling, introducing bright fruit flavors and bursts of color throughout the cake.
• Maple Pecan Edition: Replace walnuts with chopped pecans and swap some sugar with maple syrup in the streusel, lending a warm, autumnal profile to the classic recipe.
• Spiced Autumn Blend: Mix pumpkin puree into one portion of batter and add ground nutmeg and ginger to enhance the cake's warm, comforting flavors for a seasonal transformation.

Marbled Coffee Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Marbled Coffee Cake dazzles with swirled chocolate and vanilla layers nestled under a crunchy nutty streusel. Warm spices and rich, tender crumb make this classic dessert irresistible for weekend brunch or afternoon coffee breaks.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons whole milk

Streusel Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Leavening and Binding:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly coating with cooking spray.
2. Create the nutty crumb streusel by combining all-purpose flour, finely chopped walnuts, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Cut chilled unsalted butter into small cubes and incorporate into the dry streusel ingredients, using your fingertips to create a crumbly, coarse texture. Refrigerate the streusel mixture while preparing the cake batter.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
5. Add large eggs, vegetable oil, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Use an electric mixer to blend until the batter becomes smooth and free of lumps.
6. Transfer half of the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the surface. Sprinkle approximately half of the chilled streusel mixture over the first layer of batter.
7. Carefully pour the remaining cake batter over the first streusel layer, ensuring even distribution. Top with the remaining streusel, covering the entire surface.
8. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully lift the cake out using the parchment paper and transfer to a wire cooling rack.
10. Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk until smooth and slightly runny. Once the cake has completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.
11. Let the glaze set for 10 minutes, then slice the cake into squares and serve.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients before starting to ensure a smooth baking experience.
• Chilling butter makes creating streusel crumbs easier and provides better texture.
• Mix dry ingredients separately to prevent clumping and achieve even distribution.
• Electric mixer helps create a smoother, more consistent cake batter with fewer lumps.
• Room temperature eggs blend more effectively and improve overall cake structure.
• Parchment paper makes removing the cake from the pan effortless and prevents sticking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 100g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 108g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: <5mg