Kahlua Coffee Cake
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Sep 17, 2024 
Heavenly Kahlua Coffee Cake Recipe with crumble topping. A layered breakfast treat (or snack) you won’t be able to resist!
Our Best Coffee Cake Recipe
Coffee cake always reminds me of my grandmother and childhood.
Simple and moist, these cakes are generally layered with cinnamon and nuts and then topped with a crumbly crust. Casual, yet decadent.
Coffee cake is the perfect cake to nibble while sipping tea or coffee at grandma’s kitchen table, pouring out your adventures (or whoas) from the day.
This rustic utilitarian-style treat provides unassuming comfort that feels like a warm hug.
Grandma’s Coffee Cake Recipe
Growing up, it seemed every church or neighborhood event would inspire someone to bring a coffee cake. Usually a sweet elderly lady.
I don’t think anyone would have ever refused, and they were always gone by the end of the event.
Nowadays, I crave coffee cake when I’m feeling down or need to get something off my chest. Just a taste makes me feel at ease as if Grandma were still around to listen to my problems.
Today’s variation is a simple cinnamon and sour cream coffee cake recipe with a surprise element… Kahlua coffee liquor glaze.
I layered the cake batter in a pan, sprinkling a cinnamon-pecan mixture between each layer of batter. Then, I mixed the last of the pecan mixture with a bit of butter and flour to make a crumb topping.
Kahlua Coffee Cake with Sour Cream
After the crumble is sprinkled over the top, the Kahlua Coffee Cake bakes into fluffy tender layers of goodness with a crusty surface.
As if that weren’t enough, a sweet Kahlua glaze is drizzled over the top to seep down into the cake, creating pockets of boozy coffee essence!
Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a marvelous treat to serve as a naughty breakfast or brunch, as an after-school snack, or as a casual dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Or… serve this Easy Coffee Cake like grandma would have, with a cup of coffee (or cold milk) and a big hug.
Recipe Ingredients
Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need…
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Sea salt, or kosher salt
- Sour cream (could use low fat)
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chopped pecan pieces
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Kahlua coffee liqueur
- Powdered sugar
How To Make Coffee Cake
Making a layered coffee cake is much easier than you might think! Let’s do this…
- Mix – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Then melt one stick of butter and mix into the batter.
- Layer – In a medium bowl, mix the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Spread 1/3 of the batter in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then sprinkle 1/3 of the pecan mixture over the batter. Repeat with another 1/3 of the batter followed by the nut mixture to create cake layers. Then spread the last of the batter over the top.
- Crumble – To the remaining 1/3 of the pecan mixture, add 1/4 cup flour. Cut the last 3 tablespoons of butter into cubes and mix into the nut mixture by hand, creating small chunky pebbles of dough. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the surface of the cake.
- Bake – Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Drizzle – Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes over the surface of the cake for the glaze. Whisk the Kahlua and powdered sugar together in a small bowl, then drizzle over the surface while the cake is still warm.
Get the Full (Printable) Cinnamon Kahlúa Coffee Cake Recipe Below!
Kahlua Coffee Cake FAQ
Can You Make This A Gluten Free Coffee Cake?
Absolutely! Simply swap Gluten-Free Baking Mix for the all-purpose flour!
How Long Does This Recipe Last? Is This Easy Coffee Cake A Good Make-Ahead?
Yes. It lasts about 5 days sitting out at room temperature. However, I would only make it 2-3 days before an event.
I Don’t Like Pecans… Can I Use Another Nut?
Sure! Walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts are all good options.
Does This Kahlua Coffee Cake Freeze Well?
Yes, it does. Just be sure to wrap it well, so it doesn’t get freezer burn, and freeze for up to 6 months. Then thaw at room temperature.
What Else Should You Serve With Coffee Cake For Breakfast?
So glad you asked…
- Coffee (of course!)
- Oven Baked Bacon
- Simple Strawberry Smoothies
- Deep Dish Vegetarian Quiche
- Spinach Artichoke Egg Casserole
- Tropical Kiwi Fruit Cups
- Easy Egg Bite Recipe
- Starbucks Cheese Danish
More Snack Cake Recipes
- Apple Spice Coffee Cake
- Best Ever Texas Sheet Cake
- Breakfast Oat Bars
- Butter Pecan Cake
- Kahlua Banana Bread
Kahlua Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 1/2 cups sour cream (could use low fat)
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecan pieces
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Kahlua coffee liquor
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Then melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter and mix into the batter. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Spread 1/3 of the batter in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then sprinkle 1/3 of the pecan mixture over the batter. Repeat with another 1/3 of the batter followed by the nut mixture. Then spread the last of the batter over the top.
- To the remaining 1/3 of the pecan mixture, add 1/4 cup flour. Cut the last 3 tablespoons of butter into cubes and mix into the nut mixture by hand, creating small chunky pebbles of dough. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the surface of the cake.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes over the surface of the cake for the glaze. Whisk the Kahlua and powdered sugar together in a small bowl, then drizzle over the surface while the cake is still warm. Allow the cake to cool and the glaze to harden. Cut and serve.
This is my go-to coffee cake recipe! I love making this coffee cake for breakfast time!
Can always go for a good coffee cake recipe! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
I haven’t made a coffee cake in forever so I’m so glad I found your recipe. This was so delicious and exactly what I needed today. Thank you!
This was incredible! Keeping this one on file!
This is so moist and delicious! Loved the flavor and how quickly it comes together!
Move over muffins, my coffee and I just found a new best friend. This coffee cake is the best!
Can I just used expresso or black coffee instead of Kailua?
Hi Jenny!
Kahlua is sweet, boozy, and thicker than coffee. If you want a non-alcoholic option, try using some sort of quick cappuccino product that you make from powder. Make it a bit thicker than normal, to replicate the taste and texture of Kahlua.
I am a coffee cake LOVER. This is super yummy!
Definitely will try this recipe minus the nuts I hates nuts in my cake.
Love, made this cake about ten times so far and still continue to do so!
Loved it! Now I might try this with Amaretto and chopped almonds
Came out even Better than I expected
Was moist and delicious with a nice “KICK”
I don’t care for pecans so I swapped them for hazelnut. This came out FANTASTIC!! It’s light, fluffy, flavorful and the crunchy sweet glaze is heavenly. I wonder if adding a wee bit of Kahlua to the cake batter would give it more coffee flavor or ruin the puffiness? This recipe is a keeper, I’m already making a list of ingredients for the next batch!