Small Coffee Cake Recipe [FULL GUIDE]

Ah, coffee cake! That perfect little companion to your morning brew or afternoon tea, a slice of comfort that’s sweet, tender, and sometimes delightfully crumbly. But what if you don’t need a huge cake? Maybe you’re just baking for yourself, or you want a quick, manageable batch without wasting ingredients or calories. Enter the small coffee cake – a cozy, miniature delight that’s just the right size.

This recipe will walk you through making a small coffee cake that’s packed with flavor, tender crumb, and a sweet cinnamon swirl. It’s perfect for a weekend treat, a breakfast surprise, or a simple dessert that’s easy to whip up anytime. I’m going to break everything down from the ingredients, the step-by-step process, the science behind it all, and some fun variations to keep things exciting. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea!), and let’s bake!

Small Coffee Cake Recipe

This small coffee cake is designed to serve about 2 to 4 people – perfect for an intimate gathering or just treating yourself without leftovers haunting your fridge. It’s moist, flavorful, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel that adds that extra magic.

Ready to get started? Here’s the plan:

• Soft, buttery cake base
• Cinnamon sugar swirl for that classic coffee cake flavor
• Crunchy, buttery streusel topping for texture and sweetness

Ingredients Needed

Let’s break down what you’ll need – all common pantry staples, nothing too fancy!

For The Cake

• 1 cup all-purpose flour – The base structure of your cake.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder – Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy.
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda – Works with acidic ingredients for lift.
• ¼ teaspoon salt – Enhances all the flavors.
• ½ cup granulated sugar – Sweetness in the cake.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds moisture and richness.
• 1 large egg – Binds everything together.
• ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt – Moisture and slight tang to tenderize the crumb.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – The flavor enhancer, making everything taste warm and inviting.

For The Cinnamon Swirl

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For The Streusel Topping

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar – Adds a deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

How To Make Small Coffee Cake

Now, onto the fun part – baking this beauty!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small 6-inch round cake pan or an 8×4 loaf pan (either works well for a small cake).
2. Mix dry ingredients for the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution for a consistent rise.
3. Cream the butter and sugar: In another bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This aerates the batter, helping create a tender crumb.
4. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Add sour cream: Mix in the sour cream (or yogurt) gently.
6. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Don’t overmix! You want a smooth batter, but overmixing can make it tough.
7. Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
8. Make the streusel: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter cubes. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until you get coarse crumbs.
9. Layer the batter: Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar swirl evenly over it, then add the remaining batter on top. Finish by sprinkling the streusel on the very top.
10. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm.

Ingredient Science Spotlight

Why do these ingredients work so well together? Let’s geek out for a moment.

• Flour: Contains proteins (gluten) that form a network trapping gas bubbles from baking powder/soda. This network gives structure but can also make cake dense if overworked.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These chemical leaveners create carbon dioxide bubbles. Baking soda reacts with the acidic sour cream, giving the cake a light lift.
• Butter: Adds fat, which tenderizes the crumb by coating flour proteins, limiting gluten development.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture, richness, and stability to the batter.
• Sour cream: The acid and fat here tenderize the cake and add moisture, making it wonderfully soft.
• Sugar: Besides sweetness, sugar helps keep the cake moist and contributes to browning during baking.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm spice and aroma, and when combined with sugar in the swirl, creates that signature coffee cake flavor punch.

Expert Tips

Want to make this small coffee cake even better? Check out these pro tips:

• Room temperature ingredients: Butter, egg, and sour cream at room temp mix more smoothly and help create a uniform batter.
• Don’t overmix: Once you add flour, gently fold. Overmixing activates gluten too much, leading to a tough cake.
• Cold butter for streusel: Use cold butter to get that perfect crumbly texture. Warm butter would just melt into the sugar and flour.
• Pan size matters: If you use a larger pan, the cake will be thinner and bake faster; smaller pans yield a thicker, moister cake.
• Test for doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, that’s perfect. Dry means overbaked, wet batter means underbaked.
• Let it rest: Let the cake cool before slicing for cleaner cuts and better texture.

Recipe Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious ways to play with this small coffee cake:

• Nutty upgrade: Add ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping for crunch.
• Berry burst: Swirl in fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries into the batter before adding the cinnamon sugar.
• Chocolate lover’s twist: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips in the batter or add cocoa powder to the cake for a mocha coffee cake.
• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring it has xanthan gum for structure.
• Vegan version: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, use flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water), and substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt.

Final Words

Baking a small coffee cake is like giving yourself a warm, edible hug – it’s comforting, simple, and immensely satisfying. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe is easy to follow and wonderfully flexible, perfect for experimenting with flavors and textures.

The beauty of a coffee cake lies not just in its taste but in the experience – the aroma wafting through your kitchen, the joy of mixing batter, and the anticipation as it bakes to golden perfection. Plus, it pairs beautifully with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, elevating your snack or breakfast game instantly.

FAQs

What Size Pan Should I Use For A Small Coffee Cake?

For a small coffee cake, a 9-inch round or square pan is ideal. This size ensures the cake rises evenly and has a light, fluffy texture. If you prefer a thicker cake, you can use an 8-inch pan, but the baking time may need to be adjusted.

Can I Make A Small Coffee Cake Without Sour Cream?

Yes, you can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt or buttermilk. These alternatives will provide a similar texture and tanginess. However, using sour cream is preferred for its richness and moistness in coffee cakes.

How Can I Make My Small Coffee Cake Moist?

To ensure your small coffee cake is moist, use ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, or buttermilk, and avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture. Additionally, do not overbake the cake-check for doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Can I Add Nuts Or Fruit To My Small Coffee Cake Recipe?

Yes, you can add nuts like walnuts or pecans, or fruit such as blueberries or sliced apples. For best results, fold in the fruit or nuts gently to avoid disrupting the batter’s structure. If you’re using fresh fruit, make sure it’s well-drained to prevent excess moisture.

How Do I Make A Streusel Topping For My Small Coffee Cake?

To make a streusel topping, combine 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter. Use a fork or your fingers to crumble the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms small crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the cake before baking.

Can I Use A Gluten-free Flour Blend For A Small Coffee Cake?

Yes, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or guar gum to help provide structure. Additionally, you may need to adjust the liquid ratio slightly, as gluten-free flours tend to absorb more moisture.

How Long Should I Bake A Small Coffee Cake?

A small coffee cake typically takes between 25 to 35 minutes at 350°F (175°C), depending on the size and depth of the pan. Be sure to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s ready.

Can I Make The Small Coffee Cake In Advance?

Yes, you can make the coffee cake a day ahead. Once it cools, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm it in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

What Should I Serve With A Small Coffee Cake?

Small coffee cakes pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They also go well with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of glaze. For a more indulgent option, serve with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped mascarpone.

Can I Make A Dairy-free Small Coffee Cake?

Yes, you can make a dairy-free small coffee cake by using plant-based alternatives. Use dairy-free butter or oil, and replace sour cream with non-dairy yogurt or a vegan sour cream alternative. Ensure that your flour, baking powder, and other ingredients are also dairy-free.