Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake

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This Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake is the kind of recipe you keep in your back pocket for weekends, holidays, or anytime you want your kitchen to smell like a bakery. It’s soft, fluffy, and layered with a cinnamon-sugar swirl that makes every bite feel indulgent. Add in melty chocolate chips and you’ve got a comforting treat that hits the spot every time.

It’s not overly sweet, which makes it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. The cinnamon sugar brings warmth and depth, while the chocolate chips add little pockets of richness throughout. This cake is all about balance—it’s cozy without being heavy.

It’s baked in a simple pan and doesn’t require frosting or glaze, though you can dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle with a vanilla glaze if you like. The crumb is tender and soft thanks to sour cream in the batter, which also helps the cake stay moist for days.

Whether you serve it with coffee or not, it’s a crowd-pleaser. The texture is light but satisfying, and the flavors are classic and familiar. It’s an easy go-to recipe that feels special without much effort.

The layering is part of the fun. Half the batter goes in the pan, followed by a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and chocolate chips, then the rest of the batter, and more cinnamon sugar and chips on top. When it bakes, the cinnamon melts into the cake and the chips soften into gooey bites.

It’s a great make-ahead option too—slice it and store it in an airtight container. It’s even better the next day.

You can customize it as well. Add chopped nuts, use dark chocolate chips, or swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt. It’s a forgiving base with lots of possibilities.

Perfect for gifting, potlucks, or casual family mornings, this cake always gets compliments. And it makes your whole house smell amazing.

If you love cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies, this cake lands right in the middle. It’s simple, satisfying, and totally addictive.

This isn’t one of those dry coffee cakes that you need to drown in coffee—it stands on its own, slice after slice.

And unlike yeast-based recipes, this one is ready fast. Just mix, layer, bake, and serve.

Ready for something warm, soft, and full of flavor? Let’s make it.

Servings

10–12 servings

Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:

• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan or line with parchment.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4. Mix in sour cream and vanilla until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
7. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and half of the chocolate chips.
8. Spread remaining batter on top. Sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon sugar and chocolate chips.
9. Bake for 38–42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips

• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
• Don’t overmix the batter—stop when everything is just combined.
• You can line the pan with parchment for easier removal.
• Serve warm or at room temperature—it’s great either way.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This coffee cake has everything you want: a fluffy base, a warm cinnamon swirl, and rich chocolate chips. It’s simple to make, perfect to share, and just sweet enough.

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake is soft, cozy, and loaded with cinnamon sugar and melty chocolate chips. A no-fuss bake that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert—and always a hit.