Name: Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 2 large eggs; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional); 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1–2 teaspoons milk; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Imagine waking up on December 25th to the scent of cinnamon and vanilla drifting through your home — that’s the true magic of this Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe. It’s a beautifully tender cake with a buttery crumb, layered and marbled with cinnamon-sugar streusel, and finished with a delicate vanilla glaze. Every bite is a celebration, just sweet enough and full of cozy warmth that’s perfect for sharing with family gathered around in pajamas, mugs of coffee or cocoa in hand. It’s homey, it’s festive, and, honestly, it might become the tradition you look forward to just as much as the gifts under the tree!

Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Would you believe such a showstopper comes together with pantry basics? Each element in this Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe is there for a reason: lending moistness, richness, fragrance, or just that delightful crunch. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why you’ll love it.

All-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy, tender base of your cake and helps hold all those delicious pockets of streusel in place.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and a delicate crumb, you can’t beat classic white sugar — it ensures every bite is perfectly balanced.
Baking powder: This key leavening agent gives the cake a wonderful lift and fluffiness.
Salt: Just a bit sharpens all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from going overboard.
Unsalted butter (softened): Butter brings richness, moisture, and that irresistible bakery-style flavor; make sure it’s soft so it cream properly.
Large eggs: Provide structure and a little extra decadence, binding everything together beautifully.
Sour cream: The secret to a soft, plush cake! It makes the crumb extra tender and gives a barely-there tang.
Vanilla extract: Pure comfort; it gives the whole cake a round, aromatic finish.
For the Cinnamon Streusel:
- Brown sugar: Adds depth and a lovely caramel note to the crumbly topping.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): For a festive crunch and nutty flavor; use if you like, or leave them out for a classic version.
- Ground cinnamon: Absolutely essential for that warm, hug-in-a-bite holiday taste.
- All-purpose flour: Helps form nice chunky bits in your streusel for maximum texture.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Holds everything together while keeping the topping crisp but not dry.
For the Glaze (optional):
- Powdered sugar: Whisks into a velvety, elegant drizzle.
- Milk: Just enough to smooth out the glaze; use whole or whatever you have.
- Vanilla extract: A little extra fragrance on top for good measure!

How to Make Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and generously grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or an 8-inch round cake pan. This step ensures your cake will come out beautifully golden and won’t stick, so you get those perfect squares or wedges every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This even mix means every inch of your Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe bakes up light, tender, and flavorful, with no pockets of baking powder or dry flour hiding inside.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

To the dry mix, add the softened butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix just until everything is smooth and combined; overmixing can make your cake tough, so just blend until you can’t see any dry streaks and it’s luxuriously thick.

Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Streusel

In a separate small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, melted butter, and, if using, the nuts. Use a fork to combine everything until it forms delightfully crumbly chunks — the more texture, the better your streusel topping will be.

Step 5: Layer and Swirl

Pour half of your batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out to the edges. Sprinkle half the streusel mixture evenly over the top. Now add the remaining batter, then sprinkle on the rest of the streusel. For a marbled effect, gently drag a butter knife through the layers in swirls before baking. It looks stunning and ensures cinnamon in every bite!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes — this helps it set up and makes it easier to slice, plus your kitchen will smell absolutely dreamy while you wait.

Step 7: Whisk the Glaze (Optional) and Drizzle

If you’d like an extra flourish, quickly whisk together powdered sugar, a little milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. When the cake is just slightly warm, drizzle the glaze over the top so it ripples into every crevice, then slice and serve!

How to Serve Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar, a handful of fresh cranberries, or even a little extra cinnamon over the cake just before serving. If you used nuts in the streusel, reserve a few to scatter on top for restaurant-style flair — it’s an easy way to make this Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe look like it belongs on a bakery shelf.

Side Dishes

Pair each warm slice with mugs of hot coffee, spiced tea, or steaming cocoa. For a holiday brunch, serve it alongside fresh fruit salad, crisp bacon, or a simple egg casserole. It stands out on any breakfast buffet, but also plays nicely with savory favorites if you’re feeding a crowd on Christmas morning.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the cake into fun shapes with a cookie cutter or arrange the squares on a cheerful platter. Add fresh orange slices or sprigs of rosemary around the edge for a pop of color. Or, serve each slice in a festive cupcake liner for grab-and-go holiday cheer — a delightful twist on the classic presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe keeps beautifully! Once completely cooled, cover the pan tightly with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. It’ll stay moist at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for three to four days.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead for holiday prep, this coffee cake freezes like a dream. Wrap individual slices or the whole (cooled) cake in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let it come to room temperature on the counter before serving.

Reheating

To enjoy that freshly-baked warmth, reheat slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual pieces for 15–20 seconds. If you added the glaze, it’ll turn a bit translucent when warmed — just another excuse for an extra drizzle!

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are totally optional and can be left out for a nut-free version while still delivering all the rich, cinnamony flavor you want.

Is Greek yogurt a good substitute for sour cream?

Yes, plain Greek yogurt works perfectly in this recipe and will provide the same moisture and gentle tang — so use whichever you have on hand.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! You can double all the ingredients and bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan. Your Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe will need a few extra minutes in the oven, so check doneness with a toothpick around the 45-minute mark.

How do I get a really crumbly streusel topping?

Make sure the butter for the streusel is melted (not just soft), and mix with a fork until you have chunky clumps. Don’t overmix — a few lumps mean a beautifully textured topping!

Can I add fruit to this coffee cake?

Yes! Fold in a handful of fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, or chopped dried fruit to the batter for a festive burst of color and flavor. It’s a wonderful way to personalize your Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a sweet new tradition or a guaranteed crowd-pleaser to kick off the holidays, this Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe is sure to delight. With its tender crumb, cinnamon swirls, and tempting aroma, you’ll want to bake it for every special morning — and, honestly, for the ordinary ones, too! Treat your loved ones (and yourself!) and make this heartwarming cake part of your holiday story.

Christmas-Morning Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 9 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Christmas morning with this scrumptious coffee cake. A moist and tender cake with a cinnamon streusel swirl, perfect for holiday brunch or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Streusel:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

For the Glaze (optional):

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 teaspoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or an 8-inch round cake pan.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
Prepare streusel: In a small bowl, combine all streusel ingredients until crumbly.
Layer the batter: Pour half of the batter into the pan, sprinkle half of the streusel, add remaining batter, and top with the rest of the streusel. Swirl with a knife.
Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10–15 minutes.
Optional glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla; drizzle over the cake before serving.