Wouldn’t it be so cool if you could get your hands on the Starbucks coffee cake recipe?
Imagine having that for breakfast every day – without the hefty price tag!
Starbucks Coffee Cake Recipe
Well, the good news is, you can! And it’s pretty darn easy to whip up too.
The ever-famous Starbucks coffee cake is a moist and tender crumb cake filled and topped with a cinnamon streusel.
And just like their pumpkin bread recipe, this baby comes straight from the source, so you know it’s legit!
In fact, with its buttery sponge, cinnamon swirl, and heavenly crumble top, this copycat Starbucks coffee cake recipe might just be better than the real thing.
But, baker beware: it’s impossible to resist!
Is There Coffee in Starbucks Coffee Cake?
There is no coffee in Starbucks coffee cake. Instead, it’s full of cinnamon and brown sugar and is rounded out with a wonderfully buttery sponge cake. The name comes from the fact that it’s almost always served with coffee.
I know, pretty misleading, right?
Of course, some coffee cake recipes out there do include coffee, either in the sponge or crumble.
But rest assured, this one is all cinnamon!
Why Is It Called a Coffee Cake?
Coffee cake gets its name from the way it’s supposed to be eaten: with coffee. However, there is no coffee flavor in the cake, filling, or streusel top. Instead, it’s a somewhat dryer cake with no frosting that is meant to be enjoyed with a cup of coffee.
American coffee cakes originated from the German kaffeeklatsch, a crumb cake made from flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. The batter is topped with oats or nuts for a textural variety.
They’ve been around for centuries, and many variations have emerged since. But, despite the different versions, they all have one thing in common – they taste fantastic with coffee.
Tips for Making The Best Loaf
- Measure the cake flour correctly as adding too much than needed will make your coffee cake tough and dry. Use a kitchen scale if you have one or use the spoon and level method.
- Be sure the baking powder and baking soda are still potent, otherwise, the cake won’t rise. Check the label for its expiry date.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs. They incorporate with the other ingredients better and create a smooth batter. Submerge the eggs in hot water for a few minutes, and they’ll warm right up.
- To soften butter, microwave it for 10 seconds at low heat. Just be sure it doesn’t melt or soften too much.
- Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula from time to time to combine all the ingredients well. Stop the mixer and be sure to run the spatula under the paddle to reach the very bottom, where pockets of flour often get stuck.
- Don’t overmix the batter. For this recipe, you’ll need to beat the butter and sugar at medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Bake the batter as soon as it comes together. A chemical reaction takes place immediately after the baking powder and soda come in contact with the liquid ingredients. That reaction should mostly take place in the oven, not the bowl.
- You can either use a loaf pan or a muffin tin for this recipe. Whichever you choose, be sure to grease it well. Also line it with parchment paper so you can easily lift it out of the pan after.
- Don’t overmix the cinnamon streusel ingredients. You want to get a crumbly mixture, not a paste.
- Perform the toothpick test to check for doneness. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs, it’s done. But, if it comes out with wet batter, bake in 2 to 3-minute increments.
How to Store
As tempting as it may be to eat this in one sitting, you likely have enough willpower to stick to one (or two) slices a day. So, you’ll need to know how to store it, so it stays as good as possible!
Wrap the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container as soon as it’s cooled completely so it doesn’t dry out.
The coffee cake will keep well at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
To serve, warm the cake for 10-20 seconds in the microwave at low heat. Or, just eat it straight from the fridge. It’ll taste good, either way.
Freeze the cake for a longer shelf-life by double wrapping it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It should stay fresh for up to three months that way.
Thaw in the counter and/or warm it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.
More Coffee Cakes You’ll Love
Bisquick Coffee Cake
Krusteaz Coffee Cake
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Snickerdoodle Coffee Cake
Starbucks Coffee Cake Recipe
12
servings20
minutes15
minutesWith its buttery sponge, cinnamon swirl, and heavenly crumble top, this copycat Starbucks coffee cake recipe might just be better than the real thing.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
2 tablespoons unsalted softened butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt
2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Cinnamon Streusel:
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13 x 9 baking dish with butter or baking spray, or line it with parchment paper.
- Beat together 2 tablespoons of softened butter and granulated sugar at medium speed, scraping the sides of the bowl, until pale yellow and fluffy – about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after every addition and scraping the sides of the bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together vanilla extract and Greek yogurt.
- In another separate bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Add 1/3 of the flour mixture into the egg mixture, followed by 1/3 of the yogurt mixture, gently mixing after every addition. Repeat until all ingredients are combined, careful not to overmix.
- For the cinnamon streusel, stir together light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and butter cubes with a fork until crumbly with small to medium lumps.
- Pour 1/3 of the batter into the greased pan and spread it evenly towards the sides, and sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon streusel on top. Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon streusel.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee.
