Cream Cheese Coffee Cake (Rich, Moist & Irresistible)
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a tender, buttery cake layered with a smooth cream cheese filling and topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel. It’s the kind of cake that feels indulgent yet comforting, making it perfect for weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
The cream cheese layer adds richness and moisture, while the crumb topping brings a satisfying crunch—every bite is balanced and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Soft, moist cake with a creamy center
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Buttery cinnamon streusel topping
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Easy to make with pantry staples
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Perfect for make-ahead and freezing
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Ideal for brunch, dessert, or gatherings
Ingredients
For the Cake
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2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp salt
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½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling
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8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
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¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
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1 egg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping
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½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
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½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ cup (55 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
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Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
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Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan or square baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Streusel
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In a bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
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Cut in cold butter using fingers or a fork until crumbly.
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Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer
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Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
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Add egg and vanilla; mix until fully combined.
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Set aside.
Step 4: Make the Cake Batter
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In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3–4 minutes).
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
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Mix in vanilla and sour cream.
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Gradually fold in dry ingredients just until combined.
Step 5: Assemble
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Spread half the cake batter into the pan.
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Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter.
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Add remaining cake batter on top.
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Sprinkle streusel evenly over the surface.
Step 6: Bake
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Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the cream cheese layer) comes out clean.
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If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
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Cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
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Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
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Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth batter
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Do not overmix to keep the cake tender
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Spread layers gently to avoid mixing
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Let cake cool slightly so layers set properly
Variations
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Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake: Add fresh blueberries to the batter
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Nutty Streusel: Add chopped pecans or walnuts
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Lemon Cream Cheese: Add lemon zest to filling
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Glaze Finish: Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze
Storage & Freezing
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Store covered at room temperature for 2 days
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Refrigerate up to 5 days
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Freeze slices up to 2 months; thaw overnight
Serving Suggestions
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With coffee or espresso
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As a brunch centerpiece
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Lightly warmed with butter
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Served with fresh berries
Final Thoughts
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is the perfect balance of rich, creamy, and crumbly. Whether you’re serving it for a special brunch or enjoying a quiet moment with coffee, this cake delivers bakery-style flavor in every bite. Moist, comforting, and easy to make, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.