Description
This Buttery Cinnamon Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring a tender cake base with warm cinnamon spice folded into the batter and topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar layer drizzled with melted butter. Perfect for any occasion, this easy-to-make cake combines classic spices with rich buttery goodness for a delightful treat that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
- ½ cup whole milk
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Make the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps aerate the batter.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients mixture and the sour cream with whole milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which could make the cake dense.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the cake batter into a prepared baking pan (greased or lined) and spread evenly.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the surface of the batter in the pan to create a sweet, spiced topping layer.
- Drizzle Melted Butter: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the cinnamon sugar topping to add moisture and richness that will create a slightly crisp and flavorful crust when baked.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to help it set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to achieve the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use sour cream or plain yogurt to add moisture and tanginess to the cake batter.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the batter once the wet and dry ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
- For best results, use a light-colored metal or glass baking pan to avoid over-browning.
- You can substitute whole milk with any milk of choice such as almond milk for a slight variation.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and proper setting.
