Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked coffee cake wafting through your kitchen. With its tender, moist crumb and a delectable topping of crumbly streusel, Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake brings that warm coffee shop feeling right into your home. What makes this recipe special is its simplicity; with just a handful of ingredients and a little bit of time, you can whip up a delicious treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. Did you know that the original Starbucks coffee cake has been a customer favorite for decades? This version captures the same flavors, making it family-friendly and perfect for sharing. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also want to check out our classic blueberry muffin recipe for another delightful treat!

What is Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake?

So, what exactly is this deliciously delightful Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake? It’s a fluffy cake layered with sweet cinnamon and brown sugar, topped off with that irresistible crumbly streusel. You may wonder why it’s called "coffee cake" when it doesn’t actually contain coffee. Well, here’s the scoop: it’s meant to be enjoyed alongside a warm cup of joe, making it the perfect companion for your morning brew. After all, as they say, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” So, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking! Your friends and family will thank you!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

This Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake is the epitome of cozy comfort food, and there are three standout reasons why you’ll fall in love with it. First, its tender crumb and delightful streusel topping will make your taste buds dance with joy! Second, making this cake at home saves you a trip to the coffee shop—plus, it’s much more affordable! You could enjoy a slice (or two) without feeling guilty about your wallet! Lastly, this coffee cake is incredibly versatile. Whether you choose to add a sprinkle of nuts or mix in your favorite fruits, you can easily customize it. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also relish our classic cinnamon roll recipe for a truly sweet indulgence. Try it at home and see for yourself!

How to Make Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

Quick Overview

Making this Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake is as easy as pie—well, actually, it’s easier than pie! This recipe is all about combining simple ingredients into a moist, flavorful cake topped with a streusel that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, it can be prepared in just about an hour from start to finish, making it an efficient and satisfying option for bakers of all skill levels.

Key Ingredients for Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

• For the Cake:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream

• For the Streusel Topping:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the Cake Batter:

   • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
   • In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
   • Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
   • Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Save any lumps, as they’ll disappear once baked.

3. Prepare the Streusel Topping:

   • In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.

4. Assemble the Cake:

   • Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
   • Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter.
   • Add the remaining batter on top, smoothing it out. Finally, finish with the remaining streusel topping.

5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve: Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares and serve with your favorite brew!

What to Serve Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake With

This coffee cake is delightful on its own but can easily be enhanced with a few tasty pairings. Consider serving it with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a classic combination. For a fun twist, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert-like experience. Some fresh berries or a side of yogurt can also elevate your coffee cake to new health-conscious heights!

Top Tips for Perfecting Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

Creating the perfect coffee cake is just a few tips away! First, ensure that your butter is softened for easier mixing—this helps with the fluffiness of your cake. Next, be careful not to overmix the batter; stop mixing as soon as you see no dry flour. Want to switch things up? Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter for a delightful surprise. And remember to let the cake cool completely for the best texture when serving.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Leftovers? No problem! Store your Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or even freeze it for up to 3 months! When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat individual pieces in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm it in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Enjoy this delicious treat any time you crave it!

Easy Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake

A fluffy, moist coffee cake with a delightful streusel topping, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a satisfying snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 pieces

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup sour cream

For the Streusel Topping

• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, putting in and ending with the flour mixture.

Prepare the Streusel

1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.

Assembly

1. Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
2. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter.
3. Add the remaining batter on top, smoothing it out. Finally, finish with the remaining streusel topping.

Baking

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cooling and Serving

1. Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Cut into squares and serve with your favorite brew.

Notes

You can serve this coffee cake with coffee or tea. Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries can elevate the experience. Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing, and do not overmix the batter.