LA Unified Coffee Cake Recipe
The LA Unified coffee cake is a nostalgic, moist cake with a cinnamon filling and crunchy streusel topping, perfect for breakfast or dessert. This easy-to-follow recipe recreates the iconic school cafeteria treat. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and feeds a group.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (large and small)
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Cooling rack
- Small bowl (for streusel)
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
For the Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. Line with parchment paper for easy removal, if desired.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for later. This ensures the cake rises evenly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In another large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 2–3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. The batter will look slightly curdled but that’s okay.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense. The batter should be thick and smooth.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Filling
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if using). This will create a sweet, spiced layer inside the cake. Set aside.
Step 7: Prepare the Streusel Topping
- In another small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir in nuts (if using) until the mixture is crumbly. This topping adds a delightful crunch.
Step 8: Assemble the Cake
- Spread half the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, spreading carefully.
Step 9: Add the Streusel and Bake
- Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the batter. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
Step 10: Cool and Serve
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy with coffee or tea!