This article explores a delightful coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, offering a perfect blend of flavors and textures for a satisfying treat.
Delicious Coffee Cake Recipe with Oatmeal Streusel
A good coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is a true delight. Indeed, this specific recipe combines a tender cake with a crunchy topping. Therefore, it’s ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. Oatmeal streusel, in particular, adds a wonderful texture and nutty taste. Furthermore, the streusel complements the moist cake perfectly.
Why This Oatmeal Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe Stands Out
Firstly, this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is simple to make. Secondly, the ingredients are readily available. In addition, the taste and texture are truly exceptional. Oatmeal streusel provides a unique twist on traditional recipes. This makes it a memorable and satisfying treat. Consequently, it’s a great recipe to have in your collection.
The Magic of Oatmeal Streusel
The magic of this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel lies in its topping. Specifically, oatmeal gives it a pleasing chewiness and depth of flavor. Also, the combination of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is truly divine. The result is a topping that is both crunchy and sweet. Moreover, it’s the perfect complement to the soft cake beneath. Therefore, this streusel is very special.
Ingredients for Your Coffee Cake
Before starting the coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, gather all necessary items. Firstly, for the cake, you will need flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Secondly, for the oatmeal streusel, you’ll require oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter. Moreover, ensure that all ingredients are fresh for optimal flavor.
Detailed List of Cake Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour. Also, you can use a gluten-free blend. Indeed, make sure it’s a 1:1 blend for best results.
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1 cup granulated sugar. Furthermore, you can use coconut sugar. However, it might slightly alter the taste.
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1 teaspoon baking powder. Similarly, you can use baking soda as a replacement. Although, it can affect the texture slightly.
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½ teaspoon baking soda. Additionally, make sure that it is fresh. In particular, older baking soda may not be effective.
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½ teaspoon salt. In contrast, you can use sea salt for better flavor. Indeed, this salt has a slightly less harsh taste.
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. Indeed, use real butter, not margarine. Consequently, the taste is much better with real butter.
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2 large eggs. Alternatively, flax eggs can be a substitute. However, the texture may change slightly.
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1 cup sour cream. Furthermore, you can use plain Greek yogurt instead. Also, both are similar, so the swap works well.
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract. In addition, almond extract works nicely too. Specifically, this adds a nuttier, different dimension.
Detailed List of Oatmeal Streusel Ingredients
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1 cup rolled oatmeal. Additionally, quick oats can also work. Although, rolled oats give a better texture.
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½ cup all-purpose flour. Also, use a gluten-free blend as desired. Furthermore, the same is true for the cake, use a 1:1 blend.
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½ cup packed light brown sugar. Moreover, dark brown sugar works, too. Especially, it adds a deeper molasses flavor.
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Furthermore, you can add a pinch of nutmeg. Therefore, this combination adds warmth.
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½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes. Consequently, it must be cold for best results. Therefore, take it straight from the fridge.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Cake
To begin the coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, start by preparing the cake batter. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. This includes the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these until they are fully combined. Consequently, this will ensure a smooth batter.
Combining the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Subsequently, add the softened butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Next, in a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. Do not over mix the batter as it will make the cake tough. Therefore, a gentle touch is best.
Assembling the Cake
Pour the cake batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Make sure the batter is distributed evenly. Now, we can focus on making the oatmeal streusel topping. Indeed, it’s one of the most important parts of this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel. It adds a lot to the final product.
Preparing the Oatmeal Streusel Topping
To make the oatmeal streusel, combine the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Furthermore, add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to mix the ingredients until they form coarse crumbs. This should look like wet sand. Specifically, it should feel clumpy, but not wet.
Layering the Streusel on the Cake
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Generously sprinkle the oatmeal streusel evenly over the cake batter. Especially, make sure there aren’t any bare spots.
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Make sure the entire surface is covered for a perfect crunch. Moreover, this ensures every bite has that topping.
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The oatmeal streusel adds a lovely texture to the coffee cake recipe. Additionally, the different textures provide depth.
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It also provides a delicious, sweet contrast. Consequently, it enhances the cake itself.
Baking Your Coffee Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Subsequently, bake the coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel for 30 to 35 minutes. Specifically, the cake should be golden brown. Moreover, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Consequently, this prevents the cake from continuing to bake.
Serving Your Delicious Coffee Cake
Once cooled, cut the coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel into squares. Indeed, serve it with a warm cup of coffee or tea. This treat is perfect for any occasion. In addition, it’s a wonderful way to begin your day. Furthermore, it’s also perfect as an afternoon snack.
Variations on this Coffee Cake Recipe
While this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is delightful as is, there are ways to make variations. For example, you could add nuts to the streusel. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds would work wonderfully. Also, you could add a glaze for a sweeter treat. A simple vanilla glaze would be a great choice. Accordingly, this gives you a customized experience.
Other Additions
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Consider adding fruit to the batter. Especially, consider seasonal fruits when you bake.
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Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples can enhance flavor. In particular, blueberries complement the other flavors well.
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Adding lemon zest to the batter gives it a brighter flavor. Also, the zesty flavor enhances the taste.
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Chocolate chips in the batter provide a delightful surprise. Moreover, it’s a good addition for chocolate lovers.
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A simple glaze, whether vanilla or maple, can also improve it. Therefore, consider adding both vanilla and maple to create a unique flavor profile.
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Streusel Coffee Cake
To make sure your coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel turns out perfectly, keep a few tips in mind. Firstly, use cold butter for the streusel. This helps to create a crumbly texture. Secondly, do not overmix the cake batter. This prevents a tough cake. Therefore, make sure to combine it until it’s just moistened.
Key Tips for Baking Success
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Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately. For example, use measuring cups and spoons, not just estimates.
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The oven temperature is crucial. Therefore, check your oven’s accuracy. Additionally, consider using an oven thermometer.
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Do not over-bake the cake. Over-baking dries it out. In particular, watch it carefully in the last 10 minutes.
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Use a light-colored metal baking pan. It bakes more evenly. Similarly, dark pans will absorb more heat.
Storing Your Leftover Coffee Cake
If you happen to have any leftover coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week. If storing in the fridge, it’s better to warm it up slightly before eating. This enhances the flavor and texture. Therefore, it will taste freshly baked.
The Science of Baking with Oatmeal
Baking with oatmeal is a fascinating process. Oatmeal absorbs moisture, creating a softer texture. Moreover, it adds a slight nuttiness to baked goods. Specifically, in this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, the oatmeal is toasted slightly as it bakes. In turn, it brings out the flavors even more. Therefore, its role in this recipe is crucial.
Different Types of Oats
There are several types of oats available, each with slightly different textures and uses. Rolled oats are most common in baking. Quick oats are more finely cut. In contrast, steel-cut oats have a chewier texture. For this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel, rolled oats are the best. Indeed, they provide the best balance of texture and flavor.
Health Benefits of Oatmeal
Additionally, oatmeal is known for its health benefits. It’s rich in fiber. Consequently, this can help with digestion. Also, oatmeal is a good source of energy. Therefore, it’s a great way to start your day. However, this is a treat, so make sure to balance this with healthy meals.
Why Oatmeal Streusel is Unique
The reason this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is so good is the oatmeal streusel. Specifically, oatmeal adds a chewy texture, whereas other streusel toppings can be too sandy. Also, the flavor of oatmeal is slightly nutty. In turn, this adds an extra layer of flavor. Moreover, this oatmeal streusel is simple to make. Therefore, you can easily add it to different baked goods. For example, it can be good on muffins.
Enjoying Your Homemade Coffee Cake
Ultimately, this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is a true pleasure. It’s easy to make, and the result is very rewarding. The combination of tender cake and crunchy oatmeal streusel is a delight for everyone. Accordingly, this cake is a great treat for any occasion. Furthermore, it is perfect for sharing.
Making this Recipe Your Own
Remember, baking is a way to express yourself and try different things. So feel free to make changes to this coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel according to your taste. Also, you can try various combinations of flavors or ingredients. Ultimately, the goal is to create something you enjoy. Therefore, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Pairing Suggestions for Your Coffee Cake
This coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel compliments many beverages. Obviously, it goes well with coffee. Furthermore, it’s delicious with tea. Consider serving it with a glass of cold milk. Moreover, this can be a great treat for children. In addition, you might also enjoy it with a latte or cappuccino.
Serving Coffee Cake at Gatherings
This coffee cake recipe with oatmeal streusel is a great addition to any brunch or breakfast gathering. Specifically, its presentation is attractive and it tastes delicious. Moreover, it’s an easy dish to transport. Consider placing it on a cake stand for a more elevated look. Consequently, it makes it even more special.
Exploring Different Toppings and Enhancements
Aside from oatmeal streusel, you can also use various toppings. For instance, consider a simple glaze. Also, you can use a cream cheese frosting. In addition, consider adding toasted nuts or dried fruit. Indeed, these options can enhance the flavors even more. Therefore, feel free to use them if you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Cake
What is the difference between a crumb topping and a streusel?
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Crumb toppings usually have larger pieces. They are also less uniform. Conversely, streusel is finer and more evenly distributed. In addition, the ingredients may vary slightly. For example, a crumble might include nuts, while streusel usually has more flour and butter.
What makes coffee cake taste like coffee cake?
The characteristic flavor of coffee cake comes from the use of sour cream or buttermilk in the batter. Therefore, these additions create a rich and moist texture. Moreover, the cinnamon or streusel topping also adds to the characteristic taste. Indeed, these flavors combine to give it that comforting feel.
What is the difference between crumble cake and coffee cake?
Generally, crumble cakes often feature fruit as the main component. Moreover, coffee cakes are primarily known for their cake texture and cinnamon flavor. Therefore, crumble cakes may use larger, more uneven crumbles on top, while coffee cake streusel is finer and more consistent.
Should the streusel topping be added before or after baking?
The streusel topping must always be added before baking. Specifically, the heat of the oven will melt the butter, allowing the streusel to become crisp. Adding it after will not allow it to set properly. Therefore, it should always be baked along with the cake to get the best results.