Listen up, baking enthusiasts! I’ve got a recipe that’s about to rock your world. This Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake isn’t just another sweet treat, it’s a slice of heritage that brings together buttery cake, swirls of cinnamon magic, and a streusel topping that’ll make you weak in the knees. The first time I pulled this from the oven, the aroma alone had my neighbors “casually” dropping by to see what was happening in my kitchen. Trust me when I say this cake doesn’t just feed the body, it feeds the soul.

Why You’ll Love This Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake
- Cinnamon Swirl Magic: Every forkful delivers that perfect ribbon of warm cinnamon sugar that makes your taste buds dance with joy.
- That Irresistible Streusel: Let’s be honest, the crumbly, buttery topping is what dreams are made of. You might want to make extra!
- No Fancy Equipment Needed: This is old-fashioned baking at its best, just bowls, spoons, and a whole lot of love.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy Sunday morning or you need something special for unexpected guests, this cake never disappoints.
- Makes Your House Smell Heavenly: Seriously, who needs candles when you can bake this beauty?
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cake, nothing fancy needed here, just your regular pantry staple.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The dynamic duo that gives our cake that perfect rise and tender crumb.
- Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and make all those flavors pop.
- Unsalted Butter: Please use real butter here! It’s what gives this cake that rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality that keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and creates that gorgeous crystallized cinnamon swirl.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness to the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: That warm, aromatic flavor that enhances everything it touches.
- Sour Cream: The secret weapon! Creates an incredibly moist cake with a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show, that warm, spicy flavor that makes this cake irresistible.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth and moisture to our streusel topping with its molasses notes.
Note: Complete measurements for all ingredients will be available in the recipe card below this article.
How to Make the Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake
Step 1: Set the Stage
Crank that oven to 350°F and prep your baking pan. I like to line mine with parchment paper with a little overhang, makes it so easy to lift the cake out later for picture-perfect slices.
Step 2: Create Your Cake Canvas
In one bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients, that’s your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy, don’t rush this step! This is where the magic begins. Beat in that egg and vanilla until the mixture looks like a cloud of deliciousness. Now comes the dance, alternate adding your dry ingredients and sour cream, starting and ending with the dry. The key here? A gentle touch. Overmix and you’ll end up with a tough cake, and nobody wants that!
Step 3: The Cinnamon Swirl Situation
Mix up your cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. This simple combination is about to transform your cake into something extraordinary. Spread half your batter in the pan (it’ll be thick, that’s normal!), sprinkle that cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly, then dollop the remaining batter on top. Don’t stress if it doesn’t cover everything perfectly, those little gaps where the cinnamon peeks through? Pure gold.
Step 4: Streusel Magic
Now for everyone’s favorite part, the streusel! Mix your flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then cut in cold butter until you’ve got a glorious mess of crumbs. I like to use my fingers for this part, there’s something so satisfying about feeling the mixture come together. Sprinkle this generously over your cake batter. More is more when it comes to streusel, friends.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide your creation into the oven and let the transformation begin. Your kitchen will start to smell like heaven in about 15 minutes, but resist the urge to peek! After about 35-40 minutes, the cake should be golden and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean. Let it cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes, I know it’s torture, but your patience will be rewarded.
Pro Tips for Making the Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Take your egg and butter out of the fridge about an hour before baking. Cold ingredients don’t play well together.
- Don’t Skimp on the Creaming: Really beat that butter and sugar until it’s noticeably lighter in color and texture, this creates air pockets that make your cake fluffy.
- The Fork Test: When making your streusel, grab a fork and squeeze some of the mixture. If it holds together then crumbles when you break it apart, it’s perfect.
- The Middle Rack is Your Friend: Bake this cake in the center of your oven for the most even heat distribution.
- Let It Rest: The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to cool, but cutting into a hot cake will give you a gummy texture. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
How to Serve
This versatile cake shines in so many settings:
- Serve slightly warm with a cup of strong coffee for the ultimate morning indulgence.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that’ll make your dinner guests swoon.
- Cut into small squares for a brunch buffet, these disappear like magic!
- Wrap individual slices in parchment paper for the perfect homemade gift or bake sale contribution.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead
This cake actually gets better after it sits for a bit! Make it the day before your event and store it covered at room temperature.
Storing Leftovers
Keep this beauty in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. After that (if it lasts that long!), move it to the refrigerator for another 2-3 days.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Plain Greek yogurt makes a fantastic substitute with a similar tanginess and moisture. Just make sure it’s full-fat for the best texture.
My streusel topping melted into the cake. What went wrong?
Your butter was likely too warm. For perfect streusel, the butter should be cold from the refrigerator and cut into small cubes before mixing.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, please! Chopped walnuts or pecans are amazing in both the cinnamon layer and the streusel topping. Add about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts to either (or both!).
Why did my cake sink in the middle?
The most common culprit is opening the oven door too early in the baking process. Try to resist peeking until at least 25 minutes have passed.
There’s something deeply satisfying about baking a recipe that’s been passed down through generations, and this Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake is a perfect example of why these traditions endure. It’s not flashy or complicated, just honest ingredients coming together to create something truly special.
What I love most about this cake is its versatility. It’s humble enough for a weekday breakfast but special enough for your holiday table. The contrast between the tender cake, sweet cinnamon swirl, and crunchy streusel creates a texture and flavor experience that never gets old.
So tie on your apron, gather your ingredients, and prepare to fill your home with the most intoxicating aroma. This isn’t just baking, it’s creating memories. And when you see the looks on people’s faces as they take their first bite? That moment right there is what makes time in the kitchen so worthwhile. Happy baking, friends!
So as we always say at Keep This Recipe, “Good food is meant to be shared, but great recipes are meant to be kept!”

Amish Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake
Equipment
- 9×9-inch square baking pan
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
Cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Mix well.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to the mixture, starting and ending with dry. Do not overmix.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
- Spread half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Add remaining batter and spread gently.
- For streusel: mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before serving.