Easy Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake: The Perfect Breakfast Treat!
Are you craving a delicious and easy breakfast treat that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee? Look no further than this incredible chocolate chip coffee cake recipe! This cake is moist, tender, and packed with flavor, making it the ideal way to start your day or enjoy as a delightful afternoon snack. The combination of rich coffee cake and sweet chocolate chips is simply irresistible.
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and foolproof, even for beginner bakers. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, you’ll be enjoying a warm slice of chocolate chip coffee cake in no time. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, making it perfect for beginner bakers.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of buttery coffee cake and sweet chocolate chips is a classic for a reason!
* **Moist and Tender:** The cake is incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the sour cream (or yogurt) in the batter.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of day.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** You can easily freeze slices of this cake for a quick and easy treat later.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
**For the Cake:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
* 1 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate, your preference)
**For the Streusel Topping:**
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula
* Parchment paper (optional, for easier removal)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get to the fun part – baking! Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your delicious chocolate chip coffee cake:
**Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping**
1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also pulse the mixture in a food processor.
3. Set the streusel topping aside.
**Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
**Step 3: Make the Cake Batter**
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream (or yogurt), beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
**Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Cake**
1. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
2. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
**Step 5: Cool and Serve**
1. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. If you used parchment paper, lift the cake out of the pan using the overhang.
3. Slice and serve. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter, eggs, and sour cream will help the ingredients blend together more easily and create a smoother batter. This results in a more tender cake.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Customize the Chocolate Chips:** Feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate chips. Milk chocolate will create a sweeter cake, while dark chocolate will add a richer flavor. You can even use a combination of different types of chocolate chips.
* **Add Nuts:** If you enjoy nuts, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) to the streusel topping or directly to the cake batter.
* **Use Greek Yogurt as a Substitute:** If you don’t have sour cream on hand, you can easily substitute it with plain Greek yogurt. The yogurt will add moisture and tang to the cake.
* **Check for Doneness:** Start checking the cake for doneness around 30 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on your oven. The cake is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
* **Let it Cool:** Allowing the cake to cool completely before slicing will prevent it from crumbling. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
Variations to Try
* **Cinnamon Swirl:** Before adding the streusel topping, swirl a mixture of cinnamon and sugar (about 2 tablespoons of each) into the batter using a knife.
* **Apple Cinnamon:** Add 1 cup of diced apples to the batter and increase the cinnamon in the streusel topping to 1/2 teaspoon.
* **Blueberry:** Fold 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter.
* **Lemon Poppy Seed:** Add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the batter.
* **Espresso Glaze:** Drizzle an espresso glaze over the cooled cake for an extra coffee kick. To make the glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of strong brewed coffee until smooth.
Serving Suggestions
This chocolate chip coffee cake is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **Warm:** Serve the cake warm, either fresh from the oven or lightly reheated.
* **With Coffee or Tea:** The classic pairing! The cake complements the flavors of coffee or tea perfectly.
* **With Ice Cream:** Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **With Whipped Cream:** Top with a dollop of whipped cream for a light and airy touch.
* **With Fresh Berries:** Garnish with fresh berries for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
* **Freezer:** Wrap individual slices of cake tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 350-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 50-60mg
* Sodium: 200-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 45-55g
* Sugar: 25-30g
* Protein: 4-5g
*Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*
Troubleshooting
* **Cake is dry:** Make sure you’re not overbaking the cake. Also, ensure you’re using the correct amount of sour cream or yogurt. Using room-temperature ingredients also helps.
* **Cake is too dense:** Avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a dense cake.
* **Streusel topping is soggy:** Make sure the butter in the streusel topping is cold. This will help it stay crumbly during baking. You can also try pre-baking the streusel topping for a few minutes before adding it to the cake.
* **Cake is sticking to the pan:** Make sure you grease and flour the pan thoroughly or use parchment paper.
Conclusion
This easy chocolate chip coffee cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its simplicity, combined with its delicious flavor and moist texture, makes it the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee, serving it for brunch, or indulging in a sweet afternoon snack, this cake is sure to bring a smile to your face.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and get ready to bake the best chocolate chip coffee cake you’ve ever tasted! Enjoy!