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The Recipe · No.195 · Coffee Cake

Coffee Cake, and where to source it

Coffee Cake — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Coffee Cake American 5best2buy.com

Real butter and good cinnamon carry this cake, so grind or buy fresh Ceylon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the streusel. The move that keeps it moist for days: cream the butter and sugar long enough to go pale and fluffy before anything else joins.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep25 min
Cook45 min
Makes12 servings
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 12 servings
All-purpose flour
For both the batter and the streusel; the same bag does double duty.
3 cups
Butter
Softened for the batter, cold and cubed for the crumb topping.
1 cup
Sugar
White in the batter, brown in the streusel for chew and depth.
1.5 cups
Eggs
Two, added one at a time so the batter never breaks.
2
Whole milk
Or sour cream, for a close, moist crumb.
1 cup
Cinnamon
Fresh and fragrant; the whole cake tastes like whatever jar you use.
2 tbsp
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. CreamBeat softened butter and sugar four to five minutes until pale and fluffy. This whipped-in air is the cake's rise, so don't rush it.
  2. LayerSpread half the batter, scatter a cinnamon-sugar ribbon, top with the rest, then blanket with the cold-butter streusel rubbed to clumps.
  3. BakeBake at 350F until a skewer comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool in the pan so the crumb sets before you slice.
The Toolkit

Stand mixer · Square baking pan

Straight Answers
Can you make Coffee Cake in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Coffee Cake? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Coffee Cake ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Coffee Cake gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Coffee Cake vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

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