Decadent Ina Garten Coffee Cake Recipe

Ina Garten’s coffee cake bursts with nostalgic charm and mouthwatering aroma that instantly brightens dreary mornings.

Buttery crumbs dance across your palate with each heavenly forkful of this legendary breakfast delight.

Layers of rich, velvety texture complement a crunchy streusel topping that elevates simple ingredients into culinary magic.

Sour cream weaves its silky magic, ensuring every bite melts like a tender cloud of deliciousness.

Garten’s masterful recipe transforms an ordinary morning into an extraordinary celebration of comfort and flavor.

Home bakers adore this foolproof creation that marries classic techniques with modern elegance.

One slice promises to spark joy and satisfy even the most discerning breakfast enthusiast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes in Ina Garten’s Classic Coffee Cake

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, creamy texture and clean flavor profile.
• Sugar: Choose fine granulated sugar for smooth blending and consistent sweetness.
• Eggs: Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for better integration and smoother batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract to enhance deep, authentic flavor notes.
• Sour Cream: Select full-fat sour cream for maximum moisture and tender cake consistency.

• Cake Flour: Pick soft, finely milled cake flour for delicate, tender crumb structure.
• Baking Powder: Use fresh baking powder to ensure proper cake rising and lightness.
• Baking Soda: Ensure baking soda is not expired for effective leavening.
• Salt: Select fine table salt for balanced flavor enhancement.

• Brown Sugar, Flour, Cinnamon, Salt: Choose fresh, aromatic ground cinnamon for warm, spicy undertones.
• Cold Butter: Use chilled butter for perfect crumbly streusel texture.
• Walnuts: Select fresh, crisp walnuts for added crunch and nutty complexity.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Pick fine, smooth powdered sugar for silky glaze.
• Maple Syrup: Use pure, high-quality maple syrup for rich, authentic sweetness.

Must-Have Tools for Ina Garten’s Coffee Cake

• Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to cloud-like softness.
• 10-inch tube pan: Essential for even baking and distinctive cake shape.
• Spatula: Great for scraping bowl sides and gently folding ingredients.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps create lump-free dry ingredient mix.
• Cake tester or toothpick: Checks cake doneness by inserting into center.
• Fork or fingers: Useful for creating streusel topping's crumbly texture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending glaze ingredients smoothly.
• Cooling rack: Helps cake cool evenly after baking.

How to Make a Moist Coffee Cake Like Ina

• Preheat and Prepare Kitchen Setup

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a tube pan and give it a quick butter massage, then dust with a light flour sprinkle to keep everything from sticking.

• Create Creamy Base

Whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy dream. Gently introduce eggs one by one, stirring in vanilla and sour cream until silky smooth.

• Blend Dry Elements

Sift flour, rising agents, and a pinch of salt together, ensuring a lightweight, lump-free mixture that’s ready to join the party.

• Merge Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly marry wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula. Stop mixing the moment everything looks harmonious – no overworking allowed.

• Craft Crunchy Topping

Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Crumble cold butter into the mix using fingertips until it looks like rustic breadcrumbs. Toss in chopped walnuts for extra excitement.

• Layer and Bake

Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle with streusel, add remaining batter, and crown with another streusel shower. Slide into the oven for 45-55 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

• Cool and Decorate

Let the cake rest in the pan for half an hour. Transfer to a pretty plate. Whip up a quick maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar and maple syrup. Drizzle generously and serve at room temperature for maximum deliciousness.

Tips for Flavorful Crumbs in Ina’s Coffee Cake

Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds for unique flavor profiles and added crunch.

Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt or almond milk-based alternative for a lighter, plant-based version that still maintains moisture.

Boost the warmth by adding ground nutmeg or cardamom to the streusel mixture, creating a more complex and aromatic cake experience.

Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week-long delicious treat that stays moist and flavorful.

Serving Coffee Cake the Barefoot Contessa Way

• Pair with Morning Coffee: Slice a piece of this warm, nutty cake alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee for a delightful breakfast treat that starts your day with comfort and sweetness.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Serve on a rustic wooden board with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create an impressive after-dinner indulgence that wows guests.
• Create Afternoon Tea Moment: Cut into elegant triangles and arrange on a decorative plate with fresh berries, perfect for sharing during a relaxed afternoon tea gathering with friends or family.
• Gift a Slice of Comfort: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a ribbon for a homemade gift that spreads warmth and shows how much you care about your loved ones.

Saving and Reheating Ina Garten’s Coffee Cake

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its delightful moisture and soft texture intact.
• Refrigerate with Care: When storing longer than 3 days, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, lasting up to 5 days.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.
• Slice and Save Smart: Cut individual portions and separate with parchment paper to prevent sticking when storing or freezing, maintaining the cake's beautiful streusel topping and delicate crumb.

Heavenly Ina Garten Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s coffee cake blends rich buttery crumbs with sweet cinnamon swirls, creating a classic breakfast treat. Homemade comfort delivers warmth and delightful flavor that welcomes morning gatherings with irresistible charm.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) cake flour
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (30 g) flour
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (90 g) walnuts
• ½ cup (60 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Preheat Environment: Configure oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously prepare 10-inch tube pan with butter coating and flour dusting to guarantee seamless cake release.
2. Cream Foundation: Utilize electric mixer to transform butter and sugar into a voluminous, airy blend, creating a luxurious base for the coffee cake’s texture.
3. Liquid Integration: Introduce eggs methodically, blending after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract and sour cream, whisking until mixture achieves silky, homogeneous consistency.
4. Dry Component Preparation: Sift cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, ensuring uniform distribution and eliminating potential lumps.
5. Batter Composition: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using low-speed mixing technique. Employ silicone spatula to scrape bowl edges, merging components until just combined.
6. Streusel Crafting: Combine brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Integrate cold butter using fingertips until mixture develops a rustic, crumbly landscape. Gently fold chopped walnuts throughout.
7. Assembly and Baking: Layer batter in prepared pan, strategically sprinkling streusel between and atop layers. Bake 45-55 minutes, confirming doneness with clean cake tester insertion.
8. Finishing Touches: Rest cake in pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to serving plate. Whisk confectioners’ sugar and maple syrup into a smooth glaze, artfully drizzling over completely cooled cake.

Notes

• Butter Softening Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming, which creates a lighter, more tender cake texture.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing after adding dry ingredients to prevent a tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Streusel Secret: Use cold butter and work quickly with fingertips to create a crumbly streusel that adds delightful texture and flavor.
• Cooling Crucial: Let the cake cool completely before glazing to prevent the maple drizzle from becoming too runny and losing its beautiful finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg