Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe

This Deluxe Coffee Cake is a real show stopper, perfect for a holiday breakfast or a lazy Sunday brunch. It isn’t usually made with both buttermilk and yogurt—most recipes pick one—but we’ve used this dual-dairy tangy combination to create a crumb that is impossibly moist and tender. To make the streusel topping extra aromatic, you can mix a pinch of ground cardamom in with the cinnamon. Not traditional, maybe, but very delicious.

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Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe Ingredients

• The Nutty Streusel Topping:
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• The Cake Batter:
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (plus extra for greasing)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt (plain)

How To Make Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe

1. Make the crumb: In a medium bowl, combine the toasted pecans, walnuts, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to blend evenly. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms sandy clumps. Spread this mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to break it into smaller crumbs and refrigerate it. Chilling is key!
2. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter.
3. Cream the base: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream the 4 tablespoons of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Beat for 5 to 8 minutes until the mixture is very pale yellow and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Prep dry and wet: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another small bowl or jug, whisk together the buttermilk and yogurt until smooth.
5. Mix the batter: Turn the mixer to low speed. Add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately, starting and ending with the flour (Flour -> Dairy -> Flour -> Dairy -> Flour). Mix just until combined. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure everything is integrated.
6. Assemble: Pour the thick batter into the greased baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Take the topping out of the fridge and sprinkle it liberally over the entire surface of the cake, covering it completely.
7. Bake: Bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 50 minutes. The cake is done when the topping is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before cutting. This allows the crumb to set so it doesn’t fall apart when served.

Recipe Tips

• The Chill Factor: Refrigerating the crumb topping prevents the butter from melting too fast in the oven. This ensures your streusel stays as distinct, crunchy nuggets rather than melting into a flat, sugary crust.
• Room Temp Dairy: The butter, eggs, buttermilk, and yogurt must be at room temperature. This creates an emulsion that traps air, resulting in a fluffy, high-rising cake. Cold ingredients lead to a dense, flat brick.
• Toast the Nuts: Don’t skip toasting the pecans and walnuts before adding them to the topping. Toasting releases the essential oils and keeps the nuts crunchy even after being baked inside the moist streusel.
• Don’t Overmix: When alternating the flour and buttermilk, mix on the lowest speed possible and stop as soon as the white streaks disappear. Overworking the gluten creates a tough, chewy cake.

What To Serve With Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe

This Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe is the ultimate companion for hot beverages. A dark roast Coffee or a frothy Cappuccino is mandatory to balance the sweet, cinnamon-spiced crumb. For a complete brunch spread, serve squares of this cake alongside savory Scrambled Eggs and crispy Bacon to play off the saltiness in the streusel. A bowl of Fresh Berries or a Fruit Salad adds a necessary lightness and acidity to the meal.

How To Store Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled cake in the pan, covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Individual slices can be warmed in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the butter and make it taste freshly baked.
• Freeze: Cut the cake into squares and wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.

Deluxe Coffee Cake Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Protein: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated per square (12 servings).

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