Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake with Vanilla Glaze
This soft, buttery coffee cake is baked with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and finished with a simple vanilla glaze. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an easy dessert.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Cinnamon Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup nuts (optional), such as walnuts or pecans
Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4–5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with oil or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, granulated sugar, and baking powder.
- Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until a smooth batter forms.
- Pour in the melted butter and mix gently until just combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, make the filling by combining the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if using) until well mixed.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling evenly over the batter.
- Using a knife, swirl the filling through the batter to create a marbled cinnamon pattern.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze: whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and drizzle-ready.
- Remove the cake from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the top while the cake is still warm.
- Let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
