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Glazed Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake

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As far as cakes go, this cinnamon pecan coffee cake is the stuff of dreams. Really.

Slice of coffee cake on rustic white table, yellow bowl, rest of cake in background

Coffee cakes are in itself a wonderful breed, so full of ingredients we love, glazed to add just the right touch of extra flavor, and with that streusel crunch that I know, we all secretly wish we had more of.

This one checks all of them and adds another one, crumb texture and flavor that is one of the best ever.

I tell you, it's the stuff of dreams.

Whole glazed coffee cake on whitish table, yellow bowl, loose pecans

I'm used to the extra dense, extra rich coffee cakes, the type that makes the brunch table. I always go for the coffee cake at a brunch table, always.

This recipe has similar ingredients but is lighter, more birthday cake than dense coffee cake, yet, make no mistake, remains a solid, amazing, worth every calorie cinnamon pecan coffee cake.

Chopped pecans, brown sugar and spices in glass bowl on grey surface

The streusel layer has pecans, brown sugar, and some cocoa. The combo with the cinnamon is outstanding as we all know. Nothing new here.

Partial tube pan with unbaked crumble topped cake

Pecans or walnuts can be used interchangeably. It makes little difference in my opinion.

I like toasting them a little, just a bit since the flavor deepens, but not too much since the upper layer will be in direct contact with the heat and if your nuts are very toasted they will even more by the time you take out your pecan coffee cake from the oven.

But that's really a thing I have. I toast nuts. Almost always.

Whole baked streusel topped cake in tube pan on grey surface

The glaze is a simple powdered sugar + some kind o liquid - juice, liquor, milk, cream - which works wonders with this type of cakes.

My particular favorite is lemon juice because it cuts a tiny bit through the overall sweetness. And it makes the glaze stay white which I like. Not that I would trade flavor for color, but it's two birds with one stone.

Slice of glazed coffee cake on rustic white table, whole cake and yellow bowl in background

So, the amazing crumb and flavor, the crunchy streusel we all want more of, and the glaze with a touch of acid make this cinnamon pecan coffee cake an absolute winner. You might even like it better than your favorite one. You should try it.

White table with two slices of glazed cake, rest of cake on plate, yellow bowl with spoon

Other recipes you might like:
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Brown Butter Cake with Coffee Glaze
Walnut Bread
Apple Crumble Coffee Cake

Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
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A glazed coffee cake on a white plate on a wooden board. White surface with forks and cinnamon sticks.

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

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Crunchy on top and tender on the inside, this is a simple yet wonderfully flavored cake with a sweet glaze.

  • Total Time: 90 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Units

For the streusel:

  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose or cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, cold and diced
  • ½ cup (50g) pecans, coarsely chopped

For the cake:

  • 3 cups (400g) cake flour (or all-purpose)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

For the streusel:

  1. Mix all dry ingredients, all the butter and work with your hands until it is clumpy with no dry spots.
  2. Add pecans and mix. Reserve.

For the cake:

  1. Preheat oven at 350ºF/180ºC.
  2. Butter or spray a 10-inch bundt or tube cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl beat butter and add sugar gradually, beating until creamy, 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one.
  5. You can sift dry ingredients separately or sift them directly over the butter mixture (as I do).
  6. Add flour, baking powder and soda, and salt in 3 parts, alternating with the sour cream in 2 parts.
  7. Mix well and put half this mixture in the prepared pan. Smooth it with the back of a spoon and add half the streusel mixture over it.
  8. Add the rest of the butter mixture by tablespoons and carefully smooth it with the back of a spoon (if it sticks dampen the spoon). Add the rest of the streusel over it.
  9. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a tester comes out dry.
  10. After a few minutes use a flat knife to carefully loosen the borders that might be stuck due to the sugar in the streusel.
  11. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

For the glaze:

  1. Mix ingredients in a bowl until creamy.
  2. Pour over cold cake and let drip down the sides.
  3. It keeps for a few days, well wrapped, at room temperature.

Notes

You can add some citrus zest to the batter, orange or lemon work very well.

  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon coffee cake

More Cakes & Cupcakes

About Paula Montenegro

I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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  1. Paula Montenegro says

    I agree about the flour! Too bad most don't realize that and only use all-purpose. Have a great day Deb!

    Reply

  2. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    My mouth is watering :-)) Can't resist anything with streusel!

    Reply

    • Paula Montenegro says

      Me neither.

      Reply