If you’re anything like me and crave that perfect blend of sweet, tender cake swirled with warm cinnamon and topped with a crispy, buttery crunch, then you’re going to adore this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe. It’s honestly one of my go-to treats when I want to impress friends or enjoy a cozy weekend breakfast. Once you dive into this recipe, you’ll find it’s easier than it looks, with that melt-in-your-mouth texture and the most addicting cinnamon crumble topping – I promise, your kitchen (and family!) will be so happy you made it.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Texture Harmony: The cake stays moist and tender thanks to the Greek yogurt, while the crumble topping adds a delightfully crispy contrast.
Easy Cinnamon Swirl: You’ll get a beautiful, flavorful cinnamon filling swirled right in the middle that’s simple to make but looks impressive.
Wow-Factor for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual brunch or casual coffee break, this cake always feels a little special – but it’s fuss-free to prepare!
Family Favorite: I discovered this recipe as a way to get my kids to enjoy cinnamon cake, and now it’s a staple whenever they ask for a treat.

The image shows a white baking dish with a dark blue rim filled with crumb cake cut into squares. One square piece is lifted slightly, showing two thick layers of soft, light yellow cake with a crumbly golden brown topping that looks rough and crunchy. The cake's crumb topping covers the whole surface and some crumbs are scattered on the white marbled surface next to the dish. A piece of blue and white cloth is partially visible under the dish near the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, all coming together to make a richly flavored yet balanced cake. Don’t skip the quality butter and fresh cinnamon—they really elevate the taste!

Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and pairs beautifully with cinnamon for that classic coffee cake flavor.
Cane Sugar: I love how cane sugar gives a light sweetness without overpowering the spices.
Cinnamon: Fresh ground cinnamon works best to give that warm, cozy spice punch everyone expects.
All-Purpose Flour: Make sure to spoon and level the flour for the right texture—too much flour will dry out the cake.
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter is essential for creaming to get a fluffy, tender crumb.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Together they make the cake rise perfectly and stay light.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness; large eggs work best.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch boosts the sweet spices and round out the flavor.
Whole Milk Greek Yogurt: This is my secret weapon for moistness and a slight tang that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe to suit the season or my mood. It’s such a flexible base that you can easily add your own twist without losing the classic vibe.

Nutty Upgrade: I sometimes add chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping for extra crunch that my family goes crazy for.
Fruit Infusion: Swapping half the Greek yogurt for applesauce or folding in fresh berries adds a fruity layer I enjoy on warm spring mornings.
Spice It Up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon to create a subtly spiced flavor that feels gourmet.
Gluten-Free Option: I’ve experimented with gluten-free flour blends and it works well if you take care not to overmix the batter to keep it tender.

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Filling

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. While that’s warming up, whip together your filling by mixing brown sugar, cane sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. This simple combo creates that signature cinnamon swirl baking into the middle of the cake – I’ve learned it’s key to have your sugars evenly mixed so every bite has that perfect cinnamon-sugar kick.

Step 2: Whip Up the Crispy Crumble Topping

In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cane sugar, and cinnamon for the crumble topping. Cut in the butter using a spatula or your fingertips until the mix resembles coarse crumbs – you want it crumbly but not doughy. I always remind myself not to overmix here; that’s the trick to getting a crispy, golden crust that stays intact when baking.

Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—until combined. Then, in a stand mixer or with an electric mixer, cream the room-temp butter until fluffy. Add your sugars and beat together until light and smooth. Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each to keep the batter airy. Add the vanilla next.

Now, alternate adding the dry ingredients and Greek yogurt into the wet mix, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. This method keeps the batter smooth without overworking the flour, which could make your cake tough.

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Spread half the batter evenly in your prepared pan, then sprinkle the cinnamon filling all over. For the top layer, dollop the remaining batter in spoonfuls over the filling and gently spread with a spatula or knife—don’t fuss too much here, a rustic look is perfect! Finally, scatter the crumble topping generously over the whole cake.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the crumble) comes out clean. I learned that baking times can vary, so start checking around 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.

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Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: This helps the butter cream together smoothly with the sugar, resulting in a lighter cake crumb.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Mixing just until combined keeps your cake tender, not dense or tough.
Even Layering: Take your time spreading the batter and filling; a good layering creates the beautiful swirl inside your cake.
Watch the Oven: Start checking doneness early to prevent drying out — that crispy crumble can brown quickly!

How to Serve Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe

A square piece of crumb cake sits on a white plate with crumbs scattered around. The cake has three visible layers: a darker brown crunchy base, a lighter yellow soft middle layer with a cinnamon swirl, and a crumbly golden-brown topping covering the top. A silver fork rests on the plate in the foreground. The setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little powdered sugar over the top just before serving for an elegant finish. If you want a warm touch, a light drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream pairs beautifully and makes it feel like a café treat at home.

Side Dishes

This cake shines on its own with morning coffee or tea, but for brunch, I like pairing it with fresh fruit salad or a simple yogurt parfait to add freshness and balance to the sweet richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this cake cut into squares alongside an assortment of spreads—like cinnamon butter, Nutella, or cream cheese frosting—turning it into a fun interactive dessert spread. It’s always a hit and makes the humble coffee cake a star.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cinnamon coffee cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for about a week. Wrapping it well keeps that crumble topping from getting soggy.

Freezing

Believe it or not, this cake freezes beautifully! I wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. When I want a quick treat, I pull out a piece and let it thaw at room temp or warm it gently.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, I pop slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. The crumble gets crispy again, and the cake feels just as delightful as on day one.

FAQs

Can I substitute the Greek yogurt in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand, you can substitute with sour cream or buttermilk. Just keep in mind these options might slightly change the texture or tanginess, but the cake will still be moist and delicious.
How can I make sure my crumble topping stays crispy?

Great question! Avoid adding too much butter or overmixing the crumble—it should be loose and crumbly, not doughy. Also, make sure the crumble is evenly spread on top before baking and allow the cake to cool completely before storing to keep that crisp texture.
Can I make this cinnamon coffee cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Stick to blends that include xanthan gum for structure. I suggest being gentle when mixing the batter to avoid making the cake too dense.
What’s the best way to store leftover coffee cake?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for about a week. Wrapping it well helps preserve the moist crumb and keeps the crumble topping from becoming soggy.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Crispy Crumble Recipe turns out every single time – it’s reliable, comforting, and has just the right amount of sweetness with a little crunch that makes it stand out. When I first tried making a coffee cake, I used to struggle with getting that perfect crumble, but this recipe nails it and is easy to follow even if you’re not a baker. Whip it up for your next brunch or afternoon coffee break, and I promise your friends and family will be asking for the recipe too. Baking this cake is like a warm hug from the oven – give it a try, you’ll feel the love in every bite!