Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is the kind of bake that feels right for slow mornings, shared brunches, or a simple afternoon break with coffee or tea. It brings together a soft, tender cake, a lightly sweet cream cheese swirl, and a buttery cinnamon crumb topping that adds just the right crunch. This cake is not overly sweet, which makes it easy to enjoy more than one slice. The cream cheese layer keeps the interior moist and rich, while the streusel adds warmth and texture. It is familiar, comforting, and dependable, the sort of recipe that quickly becomes a household favorite once you bake it.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 40–45 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
All-purpose flour: 2 cups
Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Unsalted butter or plant butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 2 large, room temperature
Milk, buttermilk, or sour cream: 3/4 cup
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
For the Cream Cheese Filling / Swirl
Cream cheese (full-fat): 8 oz, softened
Sugar: 1/4 cup
Egg: 1 large (optional, for a firmer layer)
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon (optional)
For the Streusel / Crumb Topping
All-purpose flour: 3/4 cup
Brown sugar: 1/2 cup
Granulated sugar: 2 tablespoons
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Butter: 1/3 cup, cold and cubed
Nuts (optional): 1/2 cup chopped pecans or almonds
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk or sour cream, mixing gently until just combined.
In another bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth, then mix in egg and vanilla if using.
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter, then top with remaining batter.
Combine streusel ingredients with fingertips until crumbly and sprinkle evenly over the top.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
Tips
Room-temperature ingredients blend more smoothly.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
Full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture.
Chill the streusel briefly if your kitchen is warm.
Use sour cream for extra moisture and richness.
Line the pan with parchment for easy removal.
Let the cake cool slightly before slicing.
Check doneness near the center, not the edge.
Store covered to prevent drying out.
Reheat slices gently for a fresh-baked feel.
Variations
Blueberry cream cheese cake: Add blueberries to the batter.
Lemon version: Add lemon zest to cake and filling.
Chocolate swirl: Add cocoa powder to the cream cheese.
Cinnamon-heavy: Add cinnamon to the cake batter.
Nut-free: Skip nuts in the streusel.
Maple flavor: Replace some sugar with maple syrup.
Pumpkin spice: Add pumpkin puree and spices.
Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend.
Mini cakes: Bake in muffin tins.
Dairy-free: Use plant butter and dairy-free cream cheese.
Q&A
Why is it called coffee cake?
It is meant to be enjoyed with coffee, not flavored with it.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day.
Does the egg in filling matter?
It makes the layer firmer but is optional.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, wrap well and freeze up to 2 months.
Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking or too much flour can cause dryness.
Can I reduce sugar?
Yes, slightly, without affecting structure much.
What pan works best?
A metal pan gives even baking.
Can I skip streusel?
Yes, but it adds texture and flavor.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Is it good for brunch?
Yes, it is perfect for brunch tables.
Nutrition
(Approximate per Slice)
Calories: 360–390
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Sugar: 26 g
Rich, satisfying, and comforting
Conclusion
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a timeless bake that balances softness, richness, and gentle sweetness. The creamy swirl and crumb topping turn a simple cake into something special without making it complicated. It fits just as well on a breakfast table as it does at an afternoon gathering. Easy to customize and always reliable, this is the kind of recipe you will come back to whenever you want something comforting, homemade, and worth sharing.