Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

What does it take for a cake to be called a coffee cake?  You don't actually have to add dark, caffeinated java to the batter for it to be a perfectly acceptable breakfast treat.  It's not exclusive to cakes that pair well with coffee either because let's face it - a freshly brewed cup of Joe enhances all cake eating experiences.  ☕️  So what is the determining factor that distinguishes a cake as either a provision to eat before 8:00 a.m. or a treat best enjoyed at the end of a meal? 

These are the important questions that I ponder in my spare time.  Yup - I'm deeply philosophical.  😂 I may never solve the great coffee cake inquisition but that won't stop me from making cakes and eating it all all hours of the day to figure out when it tastes the best.  🤣  It's research people.  🥮

A coffee cake should be moist and have a light, delicate crumb.  This Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake is everything that a coffee cake should be.  With a stick and a half of butter and a full cup of sour cream in the batter - there's no way that this cake will end up dry and crumbly.  And nobody likes dry cake. 

I conducted a little research into this coffee cake.  (I'm nothing if not thorough.)  I ate a slice for breakfast - it was delicious.  I had another slice of this cake with a cup of tea as an afternoon snack - it was delicious.  I ate a piece after dinner and yup - still delicious.  🤣 

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

​Filling
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Drizzle
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons heavy cream

Cream together butter and 1 1/2 c. sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Add to batter, alternating with sour cream. 

Spoon half of batter into a greased bundt pan.  

Combine 1/4 c. sugar and cinnamon.

Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over batter.

Spoon remaining batter over cinnamon.

Bake 8 minutes at 400.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake another 40 minutes. 

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​Combine drizzle ingredients.  

Drizzle over cooled cake.

I can come up with so many reasons to make a coffee cake but the very best might just be that Monday morning is right around the corner and I can think of no better way to start my week off than with a slice of cake.  Enjoy!

​Ciao!

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