Coffee Loaf Cake Recipe for Perfect Mornings

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My Coffee Loaf Cake recipe features delicious and moist cake with flavorful, buttery streusel, part of which is sprinkled on the cake and part of which is in the cake batter. This coffee cake is so simple to make using common ingredients. My coffee cake loaf is perfect for breakfast or brunch paired with chilled milk, coffee, or tea.

Close up image of coffee loaf cake slice on a plate.

The Best Coffee LoafCake Recipe

This cake tasted delicious the day I baked it, but it tasted even better the next day! The coffee cake was bursting with butter, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors.

I usually make my coffee cake loaf in a 9-inch round pan, but this time I wanted to add height and fill it with streusel for extra yumminess. I sprinkled some of the streusel inside the cake to make it look beautiful from the inside out.

The amount of sugar I used was reasonable, and the sweetness of this coffee loaf cake is very well-balanced.

I know that some prefer the streusel on top of the cake rather than inside it. For those who love streusel, you can add it to the top of this coffee cake, too.

Why You’ll Love This Coffee Loaf Cake

Easy to Make: The straightforward recipe makes it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
Delicious Flavor: The combination of rich cake and cinnamon sugar creates a delectable taste.
Perfect Texture: It offers a moist, tender crumb that’s irresistible.
Versatile: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Pairs Well with Coffee: Complements the flavor of coffee, making it a perfect match for your morning brew
Homemade Appeal: Freshly baked at home, it beats store-bought options.

Freshly baked coffee cake served with coffee on the side.

Ingredients

Below are the main ingredients for the streusel and cake batter. The recipe card provides more details.

The Streusel

Cinnamon: We will add a small amount of cinnamon to give the cake a warm aroma and enhance its flavor.

Rolled oats: I like the nutty flavor and toasted texture of the oats in the streusel.

Butter: I always use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the pastry. Do not replace it with margarine; you will miss a lot.

The Cake Batter

Flour: There is no need to use cake flour; this cake comes out light and moist using all-purpose flour.

Evaporated milk: I have added evaporated milk to make the coffee cake richer, but you can replace it with regular milk.

Butter and Oil: Butter adds a lot of flavor to the cake, but I went ahead and added oil to allow it to stay moist longer, even after refrigerating it.

Egg: We will use one large egg, which is enough to give the coffee cake flavor and height with the help of other leaving agents like baking powder and soda.
Vanilla Extract: Adding vanilla to the cake batter gives it a fresh flavor, and it goes well with the cinnamon in the streusel.

How to Make Coffee Cake Loaf

Making this coffee cake is straightforward and takes little time. The steps are below, and the recipe card provides more details.

Preparing the Streusel

Mix all the streusel ingredients well. Keep three tablespoons aside to sprinkle on top of the cake.

Preparing the Cake Batter

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Line a 9 x 5 x 3-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Keep them aside.

Step 3

Add the sugar, butter, oil, and vanilla to a separate bowl and beat well for at least three minutes.

Step 4

Add the egg to the previous mixture and beat until combined. Add the milk and beat for a minute.

Step 5

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and gently mix for a few seconds.

Step 6

Pour half the batter into the baking loaf pan, spread the streusel evenly, and pour the remaining cake batter on the streusel. Sprinkle the saved streusel on top.

Step 7

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 6 minutes while in the pan, then place on a cooling rack to cool completely.

A slice of coffee cake loaf with streusel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why it’s called coffee cake when there is no coffee in the cake?

These types of cake loaves are mainly enjoyed with coffee, hence the name. The flavor of vanilla and cinnamon goes well with coffee.

What can I use instead of evaporated milk?

You can use regular milk or buttermilk. I used evaporated milk because I wanted a richer-tasting cake.

Can I make muffins from this batter?

Yes, follow the steps as is, but when layering the batter and streusel, first pour a small amount in the muffin tin, then a layer of streusel, and then some of the batter on top. You can also pour the batter into the muffin tins and sprinkle the streusel evenly on top.

Can I make this loaf cake without egg?

No, this recipe will not work without the egg. The cake might sink or come out too dense.

Expert Tips

It’s best to use ingredients that are at room temperature; this will help the batter come together better.
Preheat the oven for 20 or 30 minutes before using it to ensure even heat within.
Do not open the oven door before 15 minutes of baking; this cake will take its time to bake.
Always insert the toothpick or skewer in the middle of the cake since the sides bake faster.
Make sure the baking powder and soda are not expired or the cake won’t rise as desired.

Showing tender crumbs of a moist coffee loaf cake.

Storing Coffee Cake Loaf

When the cake cools, wrap it with plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 3 days. Then, place it in the fridge for 3 more days.

To freeze the cake, which is a good idea, it’s best to slice it, wrap each slice with plastic wrap, and place it in a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

To thaw the cake, place a slice wrapped on the countertop, or you can microwave it for a few seconds.

⭐PLEASE REVIEW AND RATE

If you have tried my Coffee Cake Loaf recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!