Perfect Christmas Coffee Cake — The Streusel-Topped Morning Cake

Coffee cake is the streusel-topped morning treat. Perfect with Christmas morning coffee. Make-ahead friendly.

The classic recipe (9x13 pan)

Cake

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Streusel topping

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold butter (diced)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Mix cake ingredients
3. Pour into greased 9x13 pan
4. Mix streusel; sprinkle on top
5. Bake 40-50 minutes
6. Cool slightly; serve warm

Variations

Sour cream coffee cake

• Replace buttermilk with sour cream
• Richer; tangier

Pumpkin coffee cake

• Add 1 cup pumpkin puree
• Pumpkin spice in cake

Cranberry-orange

• Fold in fresh cranberries
• Orange zest

Apple coffee cake

• Layer apples in middle
• Layered effect

Make-ahead

• Bake day before
• Cover; room temp
• Tastes great next day

Cross-references

For perfect Christmas pumpkin bread — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas banana bread — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas cinnamon rolls — adjacent.

For Christmas breakfast ideas — broader.

Perfect Christmas coffee cake is the streusel-topped morning treat. Tender crumb. Crispy top. The cake that pairs with morning coffee.