Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake with Vanilla Glaze

There is something especially comforting about a freshly baked cinnamon coffee cake. With its soft, buttery crumb, rich ribbon of cinnamon sugar running through the center, and sweet vanilla glaze drizzled over the top, this cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or sharing with family and friends.

Despite its name, traditional coffee cake usually does not contain coffee. Instead, it is called coffee cake because it pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or milk. This version takes the classic idea to another level by adding a generous cinnamon swirl and finishing the cake with a smooth vanilla glaze.

The secret to a delicious cinnamon swirl coffee cake is creating a light, tender batter while making sure the cinnamon filling is evenly distributed. Follow the steps below to create a homemade cake with beautiful layers and plenty of warm cinnamon flavor.

Ingredients

For the Coffee Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup milk

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the Vanilla Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a little extra paper hanging over the sides. This makes it easier to remove the cake after baking.

Set the prepared pan aside while you make the batter.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk everything together until evenly combined. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the baking powder and baking soda throughout the flour, which allows the cake to rise evenly.

Set this bowl aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and granulated sugar.

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat them together for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This step is important because creaming butter and sugar adds air to the mixture, helping create a softer and lighter cake texture.

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