Oatmeal Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel: A Deliciously Cozy Breakfast Treat
Oatmeal coffee cake with pecan streusel is a delightful combination of comforting textures and flavors, perfect for a weekend brunch, a special occasion, or simply a cozy weekday breakfast. The moist and tender oatmeal cake is complemented by a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel topping, creating a symphony of tastes that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe provides detailed instructions to help you create a homemade masterpiece that will impress your family and friends.
## Why You’ll Love This Oatmeal Coffee Cake
* **Moist and Tender:** The addition of oatmeal to the cake batter creates a remarkably moist and tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
* **Crunchy Streusel Topping:** The pecan streusel adds a delightful crunch and a nutty, buttery flavor that perfectly complements the cake.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Whether it’s a casual brunch or a special celebration, this coffee cake is always a crowd-pleaser.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare the cake and streusel ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
### For the Streusel Topping:
* ½ cup all-purpose flour
* ½ cup packed light brown sugar
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
* ½ cup chopped pecans
### For the Oatmeal Cake:
* 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 cup boiling water
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk with 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar added; let stand for 5 minutes)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* 9-inch springform pan or cake pan
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Rubber spatula
* Whisk
* Parchment paper (optional, for lining the pan)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
### Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter 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 pea-sized or slightly larger.
3. Stir in the chopped pecans.
4. Set aside in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter. Keeping it cold helps maintain the crumbly texture.
### Step 2: Prepare the Oatmeal
1. In a small bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water.
2. Let stand for 10-15 minutes to soften the oats. This process helps to create a more tender cake.
### Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
2. Creaming the butter and sugar is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which contributes to the cake’s light and airy texture.
### Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
1. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract.
### Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients
1. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Whisking the dry ingredients ensures they are evenly distributed, which helps the cake rise evenly and prevents pockets of baking powder or soda.
### Step 6: Add the Wet and Dry Ingredients Alternately
1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. For example, add 1/3 of the dry ingredients, then 1/2 of the buttermilk, then 1/3 of the dry ingredients, then the remaining buttermilk, and finally the remaining dry ingredients.
2. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a denser and less tender crumb.
3. After the last addition of the dry ingredients, mix only until the flour streaks disappear. A few small lumps are okay.
### Step 7: Fold in the Oatmeal
1. Gently fold in the softened oatmeal until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
### Step 8: Assemble and Bake the Coffee Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan or cake pan. You can also line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
3. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
4. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
5. Bake 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 start checking for doneness at 45 minutes.
6. If the streusel topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the cake with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
### Step 9: Cool and Serve
1. Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. If using a springform pan, carefully release the sides of the pan before transferring the cake.
2. Serve warm or at room temperature. This coffee cake is delicious on its own, or you can serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
## Tips for the Best Oatmeal Coffee Cake
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter and eggs will help the batter come together more easily and result in a more even texture.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Cold Butter for the Streusel:** Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly streusel topping.
* **Toast the Pecans:** Toasting the pecans before adding them to the streusel will enhance their flavor and make them even more delicious. To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. Let cool completely before chopping.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Ovens vary, so adjust the baking time as needed to ensure the cake is fully cooked.
* **Store Properly:** Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. To freeze, wrap the coffee cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Add Fruit:** Add ½ cup of blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples to the batter for a fruity twist.
* **Spice it Up:** Add ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg or ginger to the batter for a warm and spicy flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter or streusel for a chocolatey treat.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
* **Dairy-Free:** Use a dairy-free butter substitute and almond milk or soy milk in place of the buttermilk.
* **Nut-Free:** Omit the pecans from the streusel or substitute them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
* **Different Extracts:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond extract or maple extract, to customize the flavor of the cake.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Brunch:** Serve this oatmeal coffee cake as part of a brunch spread with other breakfast favorites like eggs, bacon, and fruit.
* **Dessert:** Enjoy a slice of warm coffee cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple yet satisfying dessert.
* **Coffee Break:** Pair a slice of coffee cake with a cup of coffee or tea for a relaxing afternoon break.
* **Potlucks and Gatherings:** This coffee cake is a perfect dish to bring to potlucks, holiday gatherings, or any other occasion where you want to impress your friends and family.
## Detailed Nutritional Information
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)
* **Calories:** Approximately 350-450 per serving
* **Total Fat:** 20-25g
* **Saturated Fat:** 12-15g
* **Cholesterol:** 75-100mg
* **Sodium:** 200-300mg
* **Total Carbohydrates:** 40-50g
* **Dietary Fiber:** 2-4g
* **Sugars:** 20-25g
* **Protein:** 4-6g
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
**Q: Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?**
A: No, instant oats are not recommended for this recipe. Rolled oats provide a better texture and contribute to the cake’s overall moistness.
**Q: Can I make this coffee cake ahead of time?**
A: Yes, you can prepare the cake and streusel ahead of time. Store the streusel in the refrigerator and the cake batter in the refrigerator separately. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the cake and bake as directed. You can also bake the entire cake ahead of time and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.
**Q: My streusel topping is too dry. What can I do?**
A: If your streusel topping is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of melted butter to the mixture and mix until it comes together in clumps.
**Q: My coffee cake is browning too quickly. What can I do?**
A: If your coffee cake is browning too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
**Q: Can I use a different type of nut in the streusel topping?**
A: Yes, you can use other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts in the streusel topping. Make sure to chop them into small pieces.
**Q: How do I know when the coffee cake is done?**
A: The coffee cake is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The top of the cake should also be golden brown and spring back slightly when touched.
## Conclusion
This oatmeal coffee cake with pecan streusel is a truly special treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With its moist and tender texture, crunchy streusel topping, and comforting flavors, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the delightful aroma and taste of homemade coffee cake!