Best Cinnamon Coffee Cake
If you’re looking for a moist cinnamon coffee cake recipe that feels bakery-worthy but uses simple pantry ingredients, this is the one.
This classic vanilla Greek yogurt coffee cake is soft, buttery, and layered with a thick cinnamon streusel.
The vanilla Greek yogurt keeps the crumb tender for days, making it perfect for slow weekend mornings, church brunches, or a cozy weekday breakfast with coffee.
It’s simple. It’s dependable. And it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake
- Ultra moist texture thanks to vanilla Greek yogurt
- Thick cinnamon streusel topping
- Simple ingredients you likely already have
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- Stays soft for several days
If you’ve ever had dry coffee cake, you know how disappointing it can be. The Greek yogurt in this recipe solves that problem beautifully.
What Makes This Coffee Cake So Moist?
The secret ingredient is vanilla Greek yogurt.
Greek yogurt adds:
- Rich moisture without making the cake dense
- A slight tang that balances the sweetness
- Extra protein
- A soft crumb that holds up beautifully for days
Full-fat Greek yogurt works best, but low-fat can be used if that’s what you have on hand.
Coffee Cake in 4 Easy Steps
This vanilla Greek yogurt coffee cake comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients and one baking dish. If you’re short on time but still want something homemade and cozy, here’s the quick version:
- Make the streusel.
Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then cut in cold butter until crumbly. Chill while you prepare the batter. - Mix the cake batter.
Cream butter and sugars, add eggs, vanilla, and Greek yogurt, then stir in dry ingredients alternating with milk until just combined. - Layer the cake.
Spread half the batter into a greased 9×13 pan, sprinkle with half the streusel, add remaining batter, then top with the rest of the streusel. - Bake and cool.
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Optional Vanilla Glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Drizzle over the warm cake for a bakery-style finish.
Tips for the Best Coffee Cake
- Use room temperature butter for proper creaming.
- Do not overmix once flour is added.
- Keep the streusel cold before layering for the best crumb texture.
- Let the cake cool slightly before slicing to keep layers intact.
How to Store Coffee Cak
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days and warm individual slices before serving.
This coffee cake also freezes beautifully. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
Can I Use Plain Greek Yogurt Instead?
Yes. If using plain Greek yogurt, increase the vanilla extract to 1 ½ tablespoons and add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to maintain sweetness.
The Perfect Cozy Breakfast Cake
There’s something about a classic cinnamon streusel coffee cake that feels comforting and timeless.
Pair it with hot coffee, fresh fruit, and a quiet morning before the house wakes up.
This is the kind of simple, dependable recipe every home cook needs.
Variations and Easy Add-Ins
One of the best things about this vanilla Greek yogurt coffee cake is how easily you can change it up with simple add-ins. The base recipe stays moist and tender, but a few small swaps can give you a completely different flavor profile.
- Fresh Berry Coffee Cake- Gently fold 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries or raspberries into the batter before layering.This adds brightness and makes it perfect for spring and summer brunch. Tip: Toss berries in 1 tablespoon flour before adding to prevent sinking.
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake- Fold in 1 cup finely diced apples and add an extra ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the batter. This version feels especially cozy in fall.
- Nutty Streusel- Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for crunch and depth.
- Lemon Vanilla Coffee Cake- Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest to the batter and substitute plain Greek yogurt for a bright, lightly citrus variation.
Best Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
Best Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
Coffee Cake Batter
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or line with parchment.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and Greek yogurt.
- Add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Mix just until combined- do not overmix.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter. Add remaining batter (gently spread). Top with remaining streusel. *see note
- Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake.
Notes
How to Freeze
Option 1: Freeze the Whole Cake- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Skip the glaze if freezing (add it after reheating).
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Wrap again in aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe bag.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
- Let cake cool completely.
- Slice into portions.
- Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
How to Reheat
From Frozen (Individual Slice):- Microwave for 30–60 seconds until warm.
- Or thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm 10–15 seconds in the microwave.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Bring to room temperature.
- Warm in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes if desired.
