This Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake is a cozy treat that’s perfect for fall! With delicious pumpkin flavor and a crunchy streusel topping, it’s sure to warm your heart.
I love having a slice with my morning coffee—it makes breakfast feel special. Plus, the smell while it’s baking is just marvelous! 🎃☕
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Puree: Use canned pumpkin puree for the best consistency. If you have fresh pumpkin, you can roast and mash it to substitute, but it’ll take a bit more work! Remember, avoid pumpkin pie filling; it’s sweetened and spiced.
Sour Cream: I love using sour cream for its richness, but plain Greek yogurt works just as well. It gives a nice tang and keeps the cake moist. You could also try buttermilk if you have it on hand.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These two are essential for achieving a fluffy cake. If you’re out of baking soda, you can replace 1 teaspoon with 2 teaspoons of baking powder, but keep in mind that the texture may slightly change.
Vegetable Oil: I prefer vegetable oil for its neutral taste and moisture, but melted butter adds a lovely flavor. If you are looking for a healthier option, you can use applesauce instead, but it will change the cake’s texture a little.
How Do I Make the Best Streusel Topping?
Creating a perfect streusel topping is all about the texture. You want it to be crumbly but not too dry. Here’s how to nail it:
- Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Make sure to break any lumps in the brown sugar.
- Use cold butter—this helps create that nice crumbly texture. Cut the butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This can be done with a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers.
- Don’t overwork it! You want visible pieces of butter for that crispy topping.
Layer half of the streusel before adding more batter, and finish with the rest on top. You’ll get a beautiful, crunchy finish on your cake!
How to Make Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Coffee Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (or as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake will take about 15 minutes to prep and around 45-55 minutes to bake. After baking, let it cool for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Total time from start to finish is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, plus cooling time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9-inch round cake pan or any similarly sized baking dish. A light dusting of flour makes it even easier to remove the cake later.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. This ensures that everything is evenly mixed before adding to the wet ingredients.
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar with the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Mix gently just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps your cake nice and fluffy!
5. Layer the Batter:
Pour half of the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
6. Make the Streusel Topping:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Assemble the Cake:
Sprinkle half of the streusel topping evenly over the batter in the pan. Then spread the remaining batter on top of this layer and finish with the other half of the streusel topping on the very top. Yum!
8. Bake the Cake:
Place the cake in the oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This is where the magic happens!
9. Cool the Cake:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important for getting that right texture!
10. Drizzle with Glaze:
While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth. Drizzle this delicious mixture over the cooled cake for a sweet finishing touch.
11. Slice and Serve:
Finally, slice up your Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy! This cake is sure to bring some warmth to your day.
This cake features a moist pumpkin spice base with a crunchy cinnamon streusel on top, finished off with a sweet vanilla glaze. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this comforting dessert!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar for the Glaze?
While powdered sugar is best for the glaze because it dissolves easily and provides a smooth texture, you can use a mix of granulated sugar and a bit of cornstarch as a substitute. Just blend it well to achieve a smoother consistency.
How Do I Store Leftover Coffee Cake?
Store leftover Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for 2-3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly!
Can I Make This Coffee Cake Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum, which helps achieve a better texture. The other ingredients should be gluten-free, but double-check labels to be safe!
What Should I Serve With This Cake?
This cake pairs beautifully with coffee or tea! It also makes a lovely breakfast treat or brunch option. For a more decadent experience, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
