Grandma's New England Coffee Cake Recipe (Copycat) (2024)

My Grandma’s of New England started baking coffee cakes in 1990 out of Newton, Massachusetts and has grown to become one of the most well known New England Coffee Cakes in the industry, and for good reasons!

It is a tender cake that is a blend of simplicity and indulgence.

A creamy moist cake, rich with butter, fresh farm eggs, sour cream, and a hint of vanilla. Topped with a brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnut streusel.

Grandma’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This Grandma’s Coffee Cake Recipe is a really good copycat.

I’m sure it will become a family favorite!

So the next time you need a delicious and easy recipe for the holidays or just want a true breakfast treat try thisold fashionedcoffee cake!

Ingredients For Grandma’s Coffee Cake

For The Cake Batter –

• Unsalted butter

• White sugar

• Eggs

• Vegetable oil

• Vanilla extract

• Sour cream

• All purpose flour

• Baking soda

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Cooking spray

Cinnamon Streusel Ingredients

For The Streusel And Topping –

• Brown sugar

• Walnuts

• Ground cinnamon

Equipment And Helpful Tools

• Large bowl

• Medium bowl

• Small bowl

• Handheld electric mixer / Stand mixer with paddle attachment

• Bundt pan / 10-inch tube pan (see FAQ’s)

• Measuring cups

• Measuring spoons

• Rubber spatula

• Food processor(see FAQ’s)

• Oven mitts

• Cake tester / tooth pick

• Wire rack

Grandmas Coffee Cake Step By Step Easy Recipe

• Use a food processor to quickly chop walnuts into small pieces. (see FAQ’s)

• In a small bow mix together the streusel and set aside.

• Combine flour with the other dry ingredients in a medium bowl and mix together.

• In a large separate bowl, cream butter and sugar together. (see FAQ’s)

• Beat in one egg at a time, add the vanilla and vegetable oil and mix well.

• Add the sour cream and throughly mix.

• Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend on low speed until completely mixed together.

• Grease pan with cooking spray and lightly dust with flour.

• To create the double layer – pour half of the batter in the bottom of the pan.

• Use a rubber spatula to make it an even layer.

• Sprinkle half the streusel mixture over the cake batter.

• Pour the rest of the batter over the streusel mixture.

• Sprinkle the remaining streusel on top of the batter.

• Place in a preheated oven.
• Bake until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted in the center.

• Let cake cool on a wire rack before inverting onto a serving platter.

See recipe card below for complete ingredient amounts, details, and total time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is A Coffee Cake Called A Coffee Cake?

The simple answer is that it could be a cake or bread but always sweet and served with a cup of coffee.

How Do You Chop Nuts Into Small Pieces Without Using A Food Processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, the easiest way to brake nuts into small pieces is to place them in a zip closure bag.

Use a rolling pin and lightly hit the bag of nuts a few times until you get the size of pieces you want!

What Is The Difference Between A Tube Pan And A Bundt Pan?

Here’s the thing, a tube pan is any round baking pan that has a hollow tube in its center.

The hollow tube conducts heat, which helps cakes bake faster.

The tube also helps cakes release more easily from the pan after it has been baked.

A Bundt pan is a type of tube pan.

How Long Do You Cream Butter And Sugar For A Cake?

About 2 to 3 minutes on a moderate speed.

You will know you have reached the right stage when the butter mixture is soft yellow and not gritty.

How To Store

If by chance there is any leftover coffee cake, tightly seal the top of the cake and serving plate with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

The coffee cake can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To freeze – Tightly wrap with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you love coffee cakes, here are two delicious recipes you need to try!

Apple Coffee Cake and Easy Coffee Crumb Cake Without Sour Cream

Grandma’s New England Coffee Cake

Love This Recipe?

Here are some of my favorite recipes to make during the holidays!

Casseroles –

• Easy Company Chicken Casserole with Wine Sauce – perfect for supper club

• Hash Brown Casserole With Cream Of Chicken Soup And Sour Cream – great any time of day

• How To Make Easy Zucchini Casserole With Stuffing Mix – a delicious way to serve veggies!

Desserts / Sweets –

• Mini Pecan Raisin Tarts – a family favorite

• Easy 5 Ingredient Melt Away Cookies – a holiday tradition in our house!

• Easy Pumpkin Pie Crunch Cake with Pecans and Toffee – perfect for large family gatherings

• Easy 3 Ingredient Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Carmel – super easy and kids love this!