Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake features an irresistible spiced walnut tunnel at its heart, crowned with a delicate spiced glaze. This aromatic cake is the quintessential treat, perfect for any occasion, from a festive brunch to an elegant dessert.
A truly exceptional Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake stands out, not just as a name, but as an experience. The warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon perfectly complements the rich depth of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, making this cake a natural partner for your morning ritual. Yet, its appeal extends far beyond breakfast. Imagine serving this beautifully spiced cake, with its surprise tunnel of buttery, sugary walnuts, as a sophisticated dessert after dinner, or as a delightful afternoon snack to uplift your spirits. It’s a versatile indulgence that promises comfort and joy with every bite, suitable for celebrations or simply making an ordinary day feel special.
Who could resist the allure of a tender, moist cake infused with fragrant spices, offering a hidden treasure of crunchy, sweet walnuts in every generous slice? This Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake is designed to captivate your senses, making it an unforgettable addition to your recipe collection.
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This particular Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake holds a special place in my heart, as I baked it just over a month ago when my dear friend, Gail, came to visit. It had been far too long since we last saw each other, and I was absolutely thrilled to host her for the weekend. Gail is married to my husband’s cousin, and from the moment we first met, we just clicked. Our connection was immediate and genuine, blossoming into a cherished friendship over the years.
Over time, our bond has deepened significantly. We keep in touch throughout the week, often texting each other to share updates, laughs, and new discoveries. One of our many shared passions is an undeniable obsession with Rae Dunn pottery. If you’re unfamiliar with Rae Dunn, a quick search will reveal charming, minimalist ceramics that are highly coveted. Be warned, the cuteness is infectious!
Gail lives about three hours away, but distance doesn’t deter our shared enthusiasm. We often embark on virtual shopping sprees for our Rae Dunn finds, exchanging cell phone photos of potential treasures. Beyond our mutual love for artisanal home goods, we share an even more profound commonality: an unparalleled adoration for all things Valentine’s Day. I’ve honestly never encountered anyone who loves this holiday as much as I do, and it’s incredibly refreshing to have someone who truly understands and shares that unique spark. It’s a wonderful feeling to be truly “gotten” by a friend, you know?
Gail is also an avid reader of blogs, and she genuinely appreciates and understands the intricacies of my work in the blogging world. For some people, my job can be a bit like Chandler’s on *Friends* – they know I work diligently every day, but they don’t quite grasp the full scope of what it is I actually *do*. Gail, however, is my #SisterFromAnotherMister, and I am endlessly grateful that she truly “gets” me in every sense of the word. Her support and understanding are invaluable.
She’s also one of my go-to people for brainstorming new recipe ideas. With her own amazing collection of recipes and a keen culinary palate, I knew I had to bake something truly special for her visit. Knowing her particular fondness for cake, this Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake was the absolutely perfect choice. It was a sweet way to celebrate our friendship and create new memories together.
Effortlessly Delicious: Easy Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake
The beauty of this Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake lies in its surprising ease of preparation. How can such a flavorful and impressive cake be so simple to make? The secret lies in starting with a high-quality boxed cake mix and instant pudding mix. These foundational ingredients provide a fantastic shortcut, yet the addition of carefully selected spices and the intricate layering of the walnut spice tunnel elevate it to gourmet status. The entire preparation process, from mixing to layering, takes just a few minutes, making it an ideal recipe for busy bakers who still want to create something truly special.
Once it’s in the oven, get ready for your kitchen to be transformed into a haven of intoxicating aromas. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves will fill your home with a fragrance reminiscent of the holidays, instantly evoking feelings of warmth, comfort, and good cheer. It’s an experience for all senses, even before the first bite.
It’s true, I have quite a few coffee cake recipes on this blog, which might lead one to assume I either consume vast amounts of coffee or simply have an insatiable love for coffee cakes. While I do enjoy a good cup of coffee, I wholeheartedly believe that a deep appreciation for coffee cakes runs in my DNA. They are more than just cakes; they are a tradition, a comfort, and a canvas for endless flavor creativity.
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A Brief Journey Through Coffee Cake History
The origins of coffee cakes can be traced back to 17th-century Vienna, a city renowned for its rich culinary heritage. As coffee began its triumphant march across Europe, captivating palates and becoming a fashionable beverage, bakers ingeniously created pastries specifically designed to complement its robust flavor. These early “coffee cakes” weren’t necessarily coffee-flavored themselves, but rather sweet, often yeasted, breads and cakes that provided a delightful counterpoint to the bitter notes of the brewed drink. They quickly gained popularity, evolving and adapting with the flow of cultural exchange.
As coffee’s popularity surged across the continent, so too did the variations of coffee cakes. Each region, country, and even city infused its own unique culinary traditions and available ingredients into the basic concept. From the rich streusels of Germany to the fruit-filled delights of Scandinavia, the core principle remained the same: the best coffee cakes masterfully blend sweetness and spice to enhance the coffee-drinking experience, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures.
The Perfect Pairing: Why Cinnamon Spice and Coffee Belong Together
Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake is more than just a catchy name; it’s a testament to a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Cinnamon and coffee are a match made in culinary heaven. The warm, woody, and slightly sweet notes of cinnamon don’t just complement coffee; they enhance it in remarkable ways. In fact, adding a dash of cinnamon can actually trick your taste buds into perceiving the coffee as sweeter, even without a single gram of added sugar! This subtle trick of flavor perception makes for a delightful experience.
Beyond its incredible taste, cinnamon also boasts some surprising health benefits. It’s known for its ability to help stabilize blood sugar levels, meaning that a little bit of sweetness in this cake can go a long way, offering a more sustained enjoyment without the sharp sugar crash. This makes our Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake not just a treat for your palate, but a thoughtful choice for mindful indulgence.
Mastering the Bundt Pan: Essential Tips for Flawless Cakes
A Bundt cake mold has the incredible power to transform any simple cake batter into a sculptural work of art, but only if the cake emerges from the pan perfectly intact. There’s nothing quite as disheartening as attempting to gracefully hide a broken piece of Bundt cake with extra frosting – a valiant effort, perhaps, but one that rarely truly disguises the mishap. In such cases, you might feel compelled to start all over again, or perhaps embrace a more avant-garde approach and jokingly label it a “deconstructed cinnamon spice coffee cake.” While it will undoubtedly still taste wonderful, a perfectly formed Bundt cake is undeniably more satisfying.
Given that our Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake features a delightful walnut filling nestled within its layers, ensuring a clean release from the Bundt pan is even more crucial. The textured filling can sometimes cling to the pan, increasing the risk of breakage. Therefore, proper pan preparation is paramount for a flawless outcome.
Most modern Bundt pans come with a non-stick surface, which certainly helps alleviate much of the suspense regarding whether your cake will emerge unbroken. However, relying solely on the non-stick coating isn’t enough for consistent success. You’ll still want to diligently and evenly grease the entire interior surface of the pan. Pay particular attention to the intricate nooks and crannies, especially with decorative Bundt pan designs like the one I’ve used here, as these areas are notorious for sticking.
The Golden Rule of Greasing: Avoid Butter for Bundt Pans!
Let’s clarify a common baking misconception: when preparing a Bundt pan, resist the urge to use butter for greasing. This is perhaps the most frequent mistake many bakers make. While butter is fantastic for many baking applications, its milk solids have a tendency to stick to the pan and can even burn at baking temperatures, leading to a dark, unappetizing residue on your beautiful cake. Burnt milk solids impart a terribly acrid, bitter flavor that can ruin an otherwise perfect cake. Avoid this at all costs!
Instead, opt for vegetable shortening or a non-stick baking spray that contains flour (like Baker’s Joy or Pam Baking). These products create a superior release. Make sure to liberally coat every inch of the inside of the Bundt pan, pushing the shortening into all the decorative crevices if using that method. If you’re using an aluminum, cast iron, or any other type of mold without a built-in non-stick coating, thorough greasing is even more critical for a successful release.
Another crucial tip: don’t grease your pan too far in advance, especially with spray oils. If you prepare the pan too early, gravity will cause the oil to slowly drip and pool at the bottom, leaving the sides and intricate designs vulnerable to sticking. Always grease your Bundt pan immediately before you pour in the batter.
For an extra layer of non-stick insurance and added texture, you can grind about a quarter cup of leftover walnuts into a fine powder, similar in granularity to flour. After thoroughly greasing the pan, sprinkle this walnut dust generously over the greased surface, rotating the pan to ensure it adheres everywhere. The finely ground walnuts create a protective barrier that helps the cake release cleanly and adds a subtle nutty crunch to the exterior.
Alternatively, you can sprinkle granulated sugar into the greased pan. This method can create a beautiful, slightly caramelized crust. However, if using sugar, it’s essential to invert the cake onto a cooling rack while it’s still warm from the oven. If you wait too long, the sugar can harden and essentially glue the cake to the pan, which is precisely what we are trying to avoid. And remember, unlike the finely ground walnuts, do not use flour as a dusting agent with shortening or oil alone, as it can combine with the cake batter to form a sticky, undesirable layer that promotes sticking.
If You Cherish Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake, Explore These Delights!
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting flavors of my Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake recipe, then you’re in for a real treat! I enthusiastically recommend exploring some of my other beloved coffee cake creations. There’s a perfect recipe for every mood, season, or special occasion. And just for the record, despite the name, you absolutely do not need to be a coffee drinker to fully appreciate a magnificent piece of coffee cake! These versatile cakes pair beautifully with a soothing cup of tea, a refreshing glass of milk, or frankly, almost any beverage you desire. They are a stand-alone delight, crafted to bring warmth and joy.
- Cherry Filled Coffee Cake: A sweet and tangy delight with a burst of fruity goodness.
- Applesauce Coffee Cake: Moist, tender, and subtly spiced, a perfect autumn classic.
- Banana Bread Coffee Cake: The beloved flavors of banana bread reimagined into a delectable coffee cake.
- Cinnamon Crunch Coffee Cake: Featuring an irresistible crunchy cinnamon topping, for those who love extra texture.
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake: A seasonal favorite, rich with pumpkin and warm spices, topped with a luxurious brown butter glaze.
You are going to adore the inviting aromas that fill your kitchen while this Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake bakes to golden perfection! Now, let’s get straight to the recipe, so you can experience this delightful creation for yourself. 
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Print Recipe
Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 18.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 2 3.4 ounce boxes of vanilla instant pudding
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vegetable oil
For the walnut spice tunnel
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of each: cinnamon star anise, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Spice Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 Tablespoons milk
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 10″ bundt pan. (or spray with non-stick cooking spray)
- In a bowl, stir together cake mix and instant pudding. Add in eggs, oil, and water and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, walnuts, and spices.
- Add half of the batter to the prepared bundt pan, top with spiced nut mixture, cover with remaining batter.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees, and bake for another 40 minutes.
- Cool slightly before inverting onto a plate. Glaze while still warm. (but not hot!)
- Delicious warm or cold.