Upside Down Streusel Cinnamon Coffee Cake
With the warm comforting flavors of cinnamon streusel and a rich, buttery cake, this Upside Down Streusel Cinnamon Coffee Cake is baked in a bundt cake pan so it can be served upside down. It’s not only visually appealing but will brighten any breakfast or brunch table!
There is something special about bundt cakes and not only because I married an Italian and was introduced to the Italian bundt cake (ciambellone)! This classic cake is thick and moist with a tender crumb that makes it the most perfect cinnamon coffee cake.
The butter, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon streusel give the cake a sweet, crunchy flavor and the dense buttery yellow cake is baked with both the swirl of streusel through it and under it. It’s irresistible when served for breakfast or dessert!
After baking the cake is flipped so the streusel adorns the top and it’s simply heavenly! Other cakes that have a crumble topping we love include this streusel cinnamon coffee cake, cinnamon walnut coffee cake and simple crumb coffee cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Anytime cake: Yes it’s true, you can serve this cinnamon crumb coffee cake for breakfast and brunch with a cup of coffee or enjoy it as a snack cake with some whipped cream or even for dessert with a scoop of ice cream.
- Moist and tender: Although bundt pan coffee cake is more dense, this cake has a soft texture with the best tender crumb and has so much moisture from the sour milk!
- Streusel topping: Buttery, crumbly, with a hint of warm cinnamon, a crunchy streusel topping is lush and delicious on this upside-down cake.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients are all you need to make this cinnamon crumb cake. Prep it in only just 20 minutes, then the rest is hands off baking time.
Upside Down Coffee Cake Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so plan accordingly.
- Granulated sugar: White sugar dissolves easily in cake and adds sweetness to this breakfast cake.
- Eggs: Two large eggs add moisture and binding.
- Cake flour: Cake flour or pastry flour is lower in protein and adds a light texture.
- Baking staples: Baking powder and baking soda add lift and rise while salt enhances taste.
- Sour milk: Or Buttermilk can be used.
- Crumb topping: All purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter make the best streusel for the top of the cake.
How to Make a Streusel Cinnamon Coffee Cake
First make the crumb topping by whisking together the flour, sugars, cinnamon and salt in a medium sized bowl. Mix in the melted butter to form coarse crumbs.
Next, in a large bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugar, then add the eggs and beat until light and fluffy.
In another medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
To the wet ingredients, add the dry ingredients alternately with the sour milk, ending with the sour milk. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Place part of the streusel mixture on the bottom of the prepared bundt cake pan.
Spoon half of the batter on top, top with the remaining crumb mixture, then finish with the remaining batter.
Bake until done, check with a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake, if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached it is done.
Remove the cake from the oven and let cool in the pan, then move to a clean plate, cut and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
While I love this cinnamon coffee cake as is, here are a few options to make it your own!
- Chocolate chips: Similar to my chocolate chip crumb cake, you can add some mini chocolate chips or any chocolate chip you like!
- Cinnamon apple crumb: For an upside down cinnamon spice apple coffee cake, first add some thinly sliced apples to the pan before adding the streusel. Your results will be similar to this apple streusel cake.
- Caramel apple upside down cake: Use these easy caramelized apples!
- Banana: If you love the flavor of banana in your coffee cake, you could add some mashed bananas but I would rather just make banana chocolate chip crumb cake instead.
- Nuts: For a crunchy coffee cake, top cake with up to 1 cup of pecan halves.
- Butter: If using unsalted butter add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Buttermilk: To make sour milk add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a 1 cup measuring cup and then top off it with milk.
Baking Tips for the Best Crumb Cake
- Pan size: I use a bundt pan but you can use an angel food cake pan or a 9 inch round or square cake pan if you would like.
- Glaze: After the cinnamon crumb coffee cake has cooled, combine powdered sugar with some milk for a simple glaze.
- Prepare crumb topping first: This allows the crumb cake topping to solidify and develop flavor making it not only easier to work with but more delicious!
- Don’t overbake: To avoid dry cinnamon crumb cake, adhere to baking times and temperature. Only bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean for the best moist coffee cake.
- Cool completely: For the crumb topping to stay crunchy and set into the delicious cake, cool the warm coffee cake completely before serving.
Serving Suggestions
For a delicious breakfast or brunch serve this homemade cinnamon coffee cake recipe with your favorite coffee or espresso!
During warm weather, this Italian iced coffee is a favorite flavor combination with the cake for the perfect breakfast! Here are a few other options:
- Baileys Iced Coffee
- Frozen Mochaccino
- Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
- Don’t forget some whipped cream!
Recipe FAQs
The main difference between a crumb cake and coffee cake is the amount of streusel used. Coffee cake on its own may or may not have a streusel topping.
For this cinnamon crumb coffee cake, I have combined the two cakes so you still get a delicious cinnamon coffee cake with a thick crumb topping!
No, it is rare that a coffee cake would actually have coffee in it. It gets its name because it is typically served with coffee. If you want coffee in your cake, try this Italian cappuccino cake instead!
While you could use another flour, cake flour creates the perfect crumb for the best coffee cake! It’s easy to make cake flour, though. Just remove two tablespoons of flour in every cup of all-purpose flour and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
How to store leftovers?
Store leftover cinnamon coffee bundt cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 – 5 days. Keep this crumbly cake away from direct sunlight and if the cut ends start to feel dry, place a slice of soft sandwich bread to retain moisture.
Can I freeze cinnamon crumb coffee cake?
Yes! You can freeze the cake whole or in slices. Wrap in plastic wrap then foil to prevent freezer burn then store in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw wrapped to retain moisture and enjoy!
More Crumb Cake Recipes To Try
- Blueberry Crumb Cake
- Peach Crumb Cake
- Vanilla Chocolate Crumb Cake
- Easy Streusel Chocolate Chip Cake
- Easy Carrot Coffee Cake
I always hope that you try my recipes but I have to say, this Upside Down Streusel Cinnamon Coffee Cake is one cake that I could eat all by myself, (and I almost did) it is that good! Enjoy.
Upside Down Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
Ingredients
CRUMB TOPPING
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ground
- 1 pinch salt*
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
FOR THE CAKE
- ¾ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 cups cake/pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt*
- 1 cup sour milk**
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*If using unsalted butter add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
**To make sour milk add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup measure and top off with milk, let sit for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Spray or grease and flour an 9-10 inch / 22-24 cm round bundt pan.
FOR THE CRUMB TOPPING
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugars, cinnamon and salt. Mix in the melted butter to form coarse crumbs. Set aside.
FOR THE CAKE
- In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until creamy 2-3 minutes, then add the eggs, beat 2 minutes.
- In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients alternately with sour milk, ending with the sour milk to creamed mixture. Add the vanilla and mix well.
- Place ½ the crumb mixture on the bottom of the prepared pan, spoon ½ of the batter on top, top with the remaining crumb mixture and then the remaining batter. Bake for approximately 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool in the pan, then move to a clean plate, cut and serve. Enjoy!
Rosemary, the cake looks delicious and I would love to bake it.
Would it be possible for you to include ingredient weights please?
Much appreciated.
Hi Paola, sorry about that, I just added it. I hope you enjoy it. I must say it is one of my favourite cakes, I think I eat almost all of it myself. Take care!