Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake: A Citrusy & Nutty Delight

Coffee cake is a timeless classic, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. This Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake elevates the traditional recipe with a burst of citrus and a delightful nutty crunch. The moist and tender cake, infused with orange zest and juice, is topped with a generous layer of almond streusel, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

This recipe is perfect for both experienced bakers and those new to the world of baking. It’s straightforward, easy to follow, and yields a coffee cake that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply want to enjoy a delicious homemade treat, this Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake is a must-try.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Incredible Flavor:** The combination of orange and almond is simply divine. The citrusy brightness of the orange perfectly complements the nutty richness of the almond streusel.
* **Moist and Tender Cake:** The cake itself is incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the addition of sour cream and melted butter.
* **Perfect Streusel Topping:** The almond streusel is crunchy, buttery, and adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack. It’s perfect for any occasion.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin baking, gather all your ingredients. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:

### For the Cake:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 2 1/2 cups (300g) – Provides the structure for the cake.
* **Baking Powder:** 2 teaspoons – Leavening agent that helps the cake rise.
* **Baking Soda:** 1/2 teaspoon – Another leavening agent that reacts with the acidity of the sour cream.
* **Salt:** 1/4 teaspoon – Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Unsalted Butter:** 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g), melted – Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1 cup (200g) – Sweetens the cake.
* **Eggs:** 2 large – Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
* **Sour Cream:** 1 cup (240ml) – Adds moisture and a tangy flavor.
* **Orange Zest:** 2 teaspoons – Provides a bright citrus flavor.
* **Orange Juice:** 1/4 cup (60ml) – Enhances the orange flavor and adds moisture.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon – Enhances the overall flavor.

### For the Almond Streusel Topping:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1/2 cup (60g) – Provides structure for the streusel.
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1/4 cup (50g) – Sweetens the streusel.
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/4 cup (50g), packed – Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor.
* **Unsalted Butter:** 1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 57g), cold and cubed – Creates the crumbly texture.
* **Almonds:** 1/2 cup (50g), sliced or slivered – Adds a nutty crunch.
* **Orange Zest:** 1 teaspoon – Enhances the orange flavor in the topping.
* **Cinnamon:** 1/4 teaspoon – Adds a warm, spicy note.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9-inch Springform Pan:** This pan makes it easy to remove the cake without damaging it.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately.
* **Electric Mixer:** Either a stand mixer or a hand mixer will work.
* **Whisk:** For combining the dry ingredients.
* **Spatula:** For folding ingredients and scraping the bowl.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measuring.
* **Zester:** For grating the orange zest.
* **Oven:** For baking the cake, of course!

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the baking process. Follow these detailed instructions to create your delicious Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake.

### Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest.
2. **Add Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also pulse it briefly in a food processor.
3. **Stir in Almonds:** Stir in the sliced or slivered almonds until evenly distributed.
4. **Chill:** Cover the bowl and refrigerate the streusel topping while you prepare the cake batter. This helps the butter stay cold and prevents the streusel from melting during baking.

### Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan. Alternatively, you can line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth.
4. **Add Eggs:** Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
5. **Add Sour Cream, Orange Zest, Orange Juice, and Vanilla:** Whisk in the sour cream, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
6. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Coffee Cake

1. **Pour Batter into Pan:** Pour the cake batter into the prepared springform pan and spread it evenly.
2. **Sprinkle Streusel Topping:** Remove the streusel topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle it evenly over the cake batter. Make sure to cover the entire surface for maximum crunch and flavor.
3. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so check for doneness after 45 minutes.
4. **Cool:** Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before releasing the springform sides. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

## Tips for Success

* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature ingredients (especially eggs and sour cream) helps them emulsify properly, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender cake.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour and result in too much flour in the recipe.
* **Chill the Streusel:** Chilling the streusel topping helps the butter stay cold, preventing it from melting during baking. This results in a more crumbly and delicious streusel.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it has wet batter on it, continue baking for a few more minutes.
* **Cool Completely:** Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the cake to set properly.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Nuts:** Feel free to substitute the almonds with other nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts.
* **Citrus:** Experiment with other citrus fruits, such as lemon or grapefruit, for a different flavor profile.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cake batter or streusel for a warmer flavor.
* **Glaze:** Drizzle a simple orange glaze over the cooled cake for an extra touch of sweetness and flavor. To make the glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth.
* **Dairy-Free:** Substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and the sour cream with a dairy-free sour cream alternative.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour. Be sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.

## Serving Suggestions

This Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **With Coffee or Tea:** The classic pairing! The cake’s sweetness and citrusy notes complement the bitterness of coffee or the warmth of tea.
* **With Fresh Fruit:** Serve alongside a bowl of fresh berries or sliced oranges for a refreshing contrast.
* **With Yogurt or Ice Cream:** Top a slice of coffee cake with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **Warm:** Gently warm a slice of coffee cake in the microwave for a few seconds to enhance its flavors and aroma.

## Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the cooled coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
* **Freezer:** Wrap the coffee cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

## Recipe Card

**Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake**

A delightful coffee cake with a moist, tender crumb, bright orange flavor, and a crunchy almond streusel topping.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 45-55 minutes
**Total Time:** 1 hour 5 minutes
**Yield:** 12 servings

**Ingredients:**

**Cake:**
* 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
* 2 teaspoons orange zest
* 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Streusel Topping:**
* 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup (50g) packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 57g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
* 1/2 cup (50g) sliced or slivered almonds
* 1 teaspoon orange zest
* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare Streusel:** In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almonds. Cover and refrigerate.
2. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
3. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then whisk in sour cream, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. **Assemble and Bake:** Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. **Cool:** Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before releasing the springform sides. Cool completely on a wire rack.

## Conclusion

This Almond Orange Streusel Coffee Cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of the moist, orange-infused cake and the crunchy, nutty streusel topping is simply irresistible. With its easy-to-follow instructions and customizable variations, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a slice of homemade happiness!