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Small-Batch Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

By Laila Ibrahim

Published on October 18, 2026

Time

1 hour, plus 30 minutes cooling

Yield

Serves 4

Slice of cinnamon streusel coffee cake angled so you can see the tender interior.

Ingredients

Streusel

76 grams (6 tablespoons packed) dark brown sugar35 grams (¼ cup) all-purpose flour1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon table salt2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cake

161 grams (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour99 grams (½ cup) granulated sugar¾ teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon table salt½ cup milk6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Before You Begin

We recommend using dark brown sugar here for a bigger flavor, but light brown sugar is also delicious. This recipe also works in an 8½ by 4½-inch loaf pan.

Instructions

    for the streusel

  1. Combine 76 grams (6 tablespoons packed) dark brown sugar, 35 grams (¼ cup) all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon table salt in medium bowl, stirring with fork until no lumps remain. Stir in 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until mixture resembles wet sand.
  2. for the cake

  3. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 6-inch cake pan with foil sling, top with round of parchment, and grease parchment.
  4. Whisk 161 grams (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour, 99 grams (½ cup) granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt together in medium bowl. Whisk ½ cup milk, 6 tablespoons melted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together in second bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir until just combined. Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top.
  5. Squeeze handful of streusel in your hand to form large cohesive clump; break up clump with your fingers and sprinkle evenly over batter. Repeat with remaining streusel, then press in streusel lightly.
  6. Bake until center of cake is set and toothpick inserted in center comes out with few moist crumbs attached, about 40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.
  7. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Using foil overhang, remove cake from pan. Discard parchment and let cake cool for about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Slice of cinnamon streusel coffee cake angled so you can see the tender interior.
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Ashley Moore.

Small-Batch Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Headshot of Laila Ibrahim
By Laila Ibrahim

Published on October 18, 2026

Save

Time

1 hour, plus 30 minutes cooling

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ingredient check listStreusel
Ingredient check listCake

Ingredients

Ingredient check listStreusel
Ingredient check listCake

Ingredients

Ingredient check listStreusel
Ingredient check listCake

Why This Recipe Works

The classic companion for any coffee (or tea) break, this cinnamon-scented cake always hits the spot. Rich with the flavors of butter and sweet vanilla, the moist cake marries perfectly with the slightly salty and crunchy brown-sugar streusel and is just the right size to yield four satisfying servings.

Before You Begin

We recommend using dark brown sugar here for a bigger flavor, but light brown sugar is also delicious. This recipe also works in an 8½ by 4½-inch loaf pan.

Instructions

    for the streusel

  1. Combine 76 grams (6 tablespoons packed) dark brown sugar, 35 grams (¼ cup) all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon table salt in medium bowl, stirring with fork until no lumps remain. Stir in 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until mixture resembles wet sand.
  2. for the cake

  3. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 6-inch cake pan with foil sling, top with round of parchment, and grease parchment.
  4. Whisk 161 grams (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour, 99 grams (½ cup) granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt together in medium bowl. Whisk ½ cup milk, 6 tablespoons melted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together in second bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir until just combined. Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top.
  5. Squeeze handful of streusel in your hand to form large cohesive clump; break up clump with your fingers and sprinkle evenly over batter. Repeat with remaining streusel, then press in streusel lightly.
  6. Bake until center of cake is set and toothpick inserted in center comes out with few moist crumbs attached, about 40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.
  7. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Using foil overhang, remove cake from pan. Discard parchment and let cake cool for about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  8. 7.Enjoy!
    Slice of cinnamon streusel coffee cake angled so you can see the tender interior.

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