Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Bake
Coffee cake. The very name evokes images of cozy mornings, warm kitchens, and the comforting aroma of cinnamon and sugar. But not just *any* coffee cake. We’re talking about *Aunt Anne’s* coffee cake. This isn’t your average, dry, crumbly excuse for a breakfast treat. This is a moist, tender, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece, layered with a generous streusel topping that practically begs to be devoured. If you’ve been searching for *the* definitive coffee cake recipe, your quest ends here. This Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for weekend brunches, holiday gatherings, or simply a special treat for yourself. Let’s dive in!
## What Makes Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake So Special?
Many coffee cake recipes yield a dry, somewhat bland result. Aunt Anne’s, however, stands apart due to several key factors:
* **Sour Cream:** The addition of sour cream to the batter creates a tender, moist crumb that stays that way for days. It also adds a subtle tang that complements the sweetness perfectly.
* **Rich Butter Flavor:** This recipe uses a generous amount of butter, both in the cake and the streusel. Butter provides richness, moisture, and that classic coffee cake flavor we all crave.
* **Cinnamon-Sugar Streusel:** The streusel is the star of the show! A perfect balance of butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon creates a crunchy, sweet topping that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake below.
* **Layered Goodness:** Instead of just one layer of streusel on top, this recipe incorporates a layer *within* the cake itself, ensuring that every bite is packed with cinnamon-sugar flavor.
## Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake Recipe: The Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we start baking, let’s gather our ingredients. This recipe uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients, making it easy to whip up whenever the craving strikes.
### For the Cake:
* **2 cups all-purpose flour:** Provides structure and body to the cake.
* **1 teaspoon baking powder:** Helps the cake rise and become light and airy.
* **1/2 teaspoon baking soda:** Reacts with the sour cream to create a tender crumb.
* **1/2 teaspoon salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened:** Adds richness, moisture, and flavor.
* **1 3/4 cups granulated sugar:** Sweetens the cake and adds moisture.
* **2 large eggs:** Provide structure and richness.
* **1 teaspoon vanilla extract:** Enhances the flavor of the cake.
* **1 cup sour cream:** Adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tang.
### For the Streusel Topping:
* **1 cup all-purpose flour:** Provides structure to the streusel.
* **1 cup packed light brown sugar:** Adds sweetness and moisture to the streusel, and gives it a lovely caramel-like flavor.
* **1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces:** Creates a crumbly texture in the streusel.
* **1 tablespoon ground cinnamon:** The quintessential coffee cake spice!
* **1/4 teaspoon salt:** Balances the sweetness of the streusel.
## Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake: Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get baking! Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfect Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake every time.
**Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal. You can also use baking spray with flour.
**Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping**
* In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
* Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
* Set the streusel aside.
**Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar**
* In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer. Properly creaming the butter and sugar is crucial for a light and airy cake.
**Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla**
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
**Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients**
* In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
**Step 6: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients**
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can result in a tough cake. A good method is to add one-third of the dry ingredients, then half of the sour cream, then another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining sour cream, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition.
**Step 7: Assemble the Coffee Cake**
* Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
* Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter.
* Pour the remaining batter over the streusel and spread it evenly.
* Sprinkle the remaining streusel topping over the top of the cake.
**Step 8: Bake the Coffee Cake**
* Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and the streusel should be nicely browned.
**Step 9: Cool and Serve**
* Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the cake to set slightly, making it easier to slice.
* Serve warm or at room temperature. Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake is delicious on its own, but it’s also wonderful with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
## Tips for the Perfect Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake
* **Use room temperature ingredients:** Room temperature butter and eggs will cream together more easily, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender cake.
* **Don’t overmix the batter:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Use cold butter for the streusel:** Cold butter creates a crumbly texture in the streusel. Make sure the butter is very cold before cutting it into the dry ingredients.
* **Adjust baking time as needed:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Check the cake for doneness after 30 minutes and adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Let the cake cool before slicing:** Cooling the cake allows it to set, making it easier to slice and serve.
## Variations and Adaptations
While this recipe is delicious as is, there are many ways to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
* **Add nuts to the streusel:** Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the streusel.
* **Add fruit to the batter:** Berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, add a burst of freshness to the cake.
* **Add a glaze:** A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
* **Use different spices:** Experiment with different spices in the streusel, such as nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger.
* **Make it gluten-free:** Substitute gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour. Be sure to use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
## Serving Suggestions
Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:
* **Breakfast or brunch:** Serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea for a satisfying breakfast or brunch.
* **Dessert:** Enjoy as a simple yet elegant dessert after dinner.
* **Snack:** Perfect for an afternoon snack or a late-night treat.
* **Special occasions:** A great addition to holiday gatherings, potlucks, and other special events.
## Storage Instructions
* **Room temperature:** Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** Freeze individual slices or the entire cake in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
## Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake: The Recipe Card
**Yields:** 12-16 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30-35 minutes
**Ingredients:**
### For the Cake:
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup sour cream
### For the Streusel Topping:
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Make the streusel: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. Assemble the coffee cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter. Pour remaining batter over streusel and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining streusel over the top.
8. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and serve: Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
## Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake recipe is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s the smell of cinnamon wafting through your kitchen, the warmth of the oven on a chilly morning, and the joy of sharing a delicious treat with loved ones. It’s incredibly easy to make, uses readily available ingredients, and delivers consistently delicious results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, you’ll find this recipe straightforward and satisfying. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake the best coffee cake you’ve ever tasted! This recipe is sure to become a family favorite, passed down for generations to come. Enjoy!
## Final Thoughts
Aunt Anne’s Coffee Cake is a timeless classic for a reason. Its perfect combination of moist cake, crunchy streusel, and comforting cinnamon flavor makes it a winner every time. This recipe offers a slight upgrade to the traditional version, with the addition of sour cream and a layered streusel topping, resulting in an even more decadent and delicious treat. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe – you won’t be disappointed! Share it with your friends and family and spread the joy of homemade goodness. Happy baking!