There’s something wonderfully comforting about a homemade Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake. Soft, buttery, and tender with a sweet cinnamon swirl running through the center, this simple cake is perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea.
The brown sugar and cinnamon create little pockets of warm, caramel-like flavor throughout the cake, while optional chopped walnuts add a pleasant crunch. It’s an easy old-fashioned dessert that works just as well for breakfast as it does for an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon additional ground cinnamon, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
This step helps incorporate air into the batter and contributes to a lighter cake.
3. Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
If the mixture looks slightly curdled after adding the eggs, don’t worry. It will come together when the dry ingredients are added.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk.
Begin and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined.
Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished cake less tender.
5. Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and chopped walnuts.
If you’d like a stronger cinnamon flavor, add the additional 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Mix well and set aside.
6. Layer the Cake
Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter.
Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the top.
Finish by sprinkling the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the surface.
7. Create the Swirl
Using a butter knife, gently swirl through the batter in a few places to create a marbled cinnamon pattern.
Don’t swirl too much, or the cinnamon mixture will completely blend into the batter instead of creating distinct ribbons.
8. Bake
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30–35 minutes.
The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
9. Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for the Best Coffee Cake
Use softened butter: Room-temperature butter creams much better with sugar than cold butter.
Don’t overmix: Once the flour is incorporated, mix only until the batter is smooth and combined.
Make the swirl gentle: A few passes with a knife are enough to create beautiful cinnamon ribbons.
Toast the walnuts: For even more flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before adding them to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Check early: Oven temperatures can vary, so begin checking the cake around the 30-minute mark.
Delicious Variations
Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake
Replace the walnuts with chopped pecans for a richer, buttery crunch.
Apple Cinnamon Version
Add a layer of finely diced, peeled apple between the batter layers. Pat the apples dry first to prevent excess moisture.
Glazed Coffee Cake
Once cooled, drizzle the cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla, and a little milk.
Extra Cinnamon
For a more pronounced cinnamon flavor, add a little extra cinnamon to the swirl rather than adding too much to the cake batter.
Serving Suggestions
This coffee cake is delicious served with:
- Fresh coffee
- Hot tea
- A glass of cold milk
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- Vanilla ice cream
For breakfast or brunch, serve it slightly warm with fresh fruit on the side.
Storage
Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Let individual slices come closer to room temperature before serving, or warm them gently in the microwave.
The cake can also be frozen. Wrap individual portions tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake is a wonderfully simple bake with old-fashioned appeal. Its tender buttery crumb, sweet brown sugar filling, and warm cinnamon swirl make every slice comforting and satisfying. Whether served for a relaxed weekend breakfast, afternoon coffee break, or family gathering, this easy coffee cake is the kind of homemade treat that disappears quickly.