Cranberry-Streusel Coffee Cake

Cranberry Streusel Coffee Cake is a classic breakfast or brunch option. Make it the day or night before and brighten up your morning with this lightly sweet, moist cake. Tangy sour cream mixes well with the tart taste of cranberries all blended together with a brown sugar streusel topping with a dash of cinnamon and a splash of warm vanilla. This cake is great for get togethers or holiday weekends. Colorful, festive, and oh so delicious!

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries Instead Of Fresh?

You sure can! If you can’t get your hands on fresh cranberries you can use frozen. Let the frozen cranberries thaw completely and pat dry of any excess moisture. Then use as instructed below the same way you would with fresh berries.

Why Is This Called Coffee Cake If There’s No Coffee In It?

This typically refers to a European practice of eating sweet cakes with coffee. While some European recipes do actually include coffee in their cake batter or in icing on the cakes, the American version sticks to fruit and cinnamon, like this recipe, and eliminates the coffee within the dessert. It is still generally served with coffee which is why it’s such a great option for breakfast or brunch!

What You Need To Make Cranberry Streusel Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

For the Cake

• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Cranberries

For the Streusel Topping

• All-Purpose Flour
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Unsalted Butter
• Finely Chopped Walnuts

How To Make The Recipe

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.

In a separate, larger bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.

Alternately beat in the flour mixture and sour cream until well blended. Gently fold in the cranberries. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Now make the streusel: In a medium bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter (you can use a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingers) and combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped walnuts.  Sprinkle the streusel over the batter.

Bake the coffee cake for 50 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Remove the side of the pan and allow the cake to cool completely. Enjoy!

Storing The Recipe

You can store leftovers of this coffee cake in an airtight container on your counter at room temperature for 3 days. To prolong the freshness, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can freeze this coffee cake as well. Let the cake cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer safe container. This recipe will stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature before serving.

Recipe Tips

Powdered sugar sprinkled over top is a finishing touch to this lovely cake.

Use a full fat sour cream to create the best flavor and texture.

Try this recipe out with blueberries, strawberries, or apples for variation.

You can buy fresh cranberries when they’re in season and freeze them for future use.