Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake filled my kitchen on a rainy Saturday when my sister stopped by with her twins after their soccer game was canceled. Their sneakers were muddy, their hair damp from drizzle, and their energy unmatched.

I had already set out butter to soften on the counter, planning to test a cake recipe for the blog, and suddenly the house felt louder and warmer. My neighbor Mrs. Alvarez texted asking if she could join us for coffee later, so I doubled the batch in my head and reached for my favorite Bundt pan.

The twins took turns whisking the dry ingredients while my sister measured sour cream, laughing at how serious they looked with flour dusting their sleeves. The scent of cinnamon drifted through the air as I stirred sugar with a generous spoonful of spice for that signature swirl.

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake isn’t just a name here, it’s the heartbeat of the kitchen in moments like these. Butter and sugar creamed together until pale and fluffy, and someone leaned over the bowl just to inhale. When the cake went into the oven, the windows fogged slightly, and the house shifted from rainy gray to bakery gold.

Once it emerged tall and golden, we waited the longest five minutes of our lives before flipping it onto a rack. Steam curled up gently, carrying that buttery cinnamon aroma through every room.

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake sliced cleanly, revealing ribbons of spiced sugar woven through tender crumb. We served thick wedges on mismatched plates while the twins argued about who got the bigger slice. The rain kept falling outside, but inside, everything felt sweet and steady.

Short Description

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake is a moist, buttery cake layered with a sweet cinnamon sugar ribbon and baked in a classic Bundt pan for a beautiful presentation and tender crumb.

Key Ingredients

For the Coffee Cake

• 1½ cups white sugar
• ¾ cup butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

For the Cinnamon Filling

• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Tools Needed

• 10 inch Bundt pan
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Grease a 10 inch Bundt pan thoroughly, coating every groove and crevice to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat butter and 1½ cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly combined.

Step 4: Combine Batter
Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two additions, alternating with sour cream. Mix gently just until combined. Fold in chopped walnuts.

Step 5: Add Cinnamon Swirl
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup sugar with cinnamon. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over the batter. Spoon remaining batter on top and smooth gently.

Step 6: Bake the Cake
Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 8 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for about 40 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve
Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Carefully invert onto a rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist texture from sour cream

Beautiful cinnamon ribbon in every slice

Perfect for brunch or afternoon coffee

Simple pantry ingredients

Great make ahead option

Balanced sweetness without being overpowering

Elegant Bundt presentation

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Cake sticking to the pan
Bundt pans have deep grooves that trap batter.
Solution: Grease generously with butter or baking spray and dust lightly with flour.

Dense texture
Overmixing after adding flour can toughen the crumb.
Solution: Mix only until ingredients are combined.

Uneven cinnamon swirl
Dumping filling in one spot creates gaps.
Solution: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly across the entire layer.

Dry cake
Overbaking removes moisture.
Solution: Check at 38 minutes after lowering temperature. Remove as soon as toothpick is clean.

Cracked top
High heat can cause surface cracking.
Solution: Follow the two temperature method exactly as written.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm with fresh coffee

Pair with cappuccino or chai latte

Add a light vanilla glaze for extra sweetness

Serve buffet style at brunch gatherings

Plate with fresh berries for contrast

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store covered at room temperature up to 3 days

Refrigerate up to 5 days in airtight container

Warm slices in microwave for 10 to 15 seconds

Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months

Thaw at room temperature before serving

FAQs

1. Can I skip the walnuts?
Yes, simply omit them or substitute pecans.

2. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Full fat Greek yogurt works well and keeps the cake moist.

3. Why bake at two temperatures?
The initial high heat helps set structure, then lower heat ensures even baking.

4. How do I know when it’s done?
Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few crumbs.

5. Can I add glaze?
Yes, whisk powdered sugar with milk and drizzle once cake cools completely.

Tips & Tricks

Bring butter and eggs to room temperature for smoother batter

Tap the pan gently before baking to remove air pockets

Rotate cake halfway through baking for even browning

Use fresh cinnamon for strongest flavor

Let cake cool fully before slicing for clean edges

Recipe Variations

Apple Cinnamon Version
Fold 1 cup finely diced apples into batter. Reduce walnuts slightly. Adds fruity sweetness and moisture.

Chocolate Swirl Twist
Replace half the cinnamon filling with cocoa powder mixed with sugar for a chocolate ribbon.

Maple Glazed Option
Drizzle maple icing made from powdered sugar and maple syrup after cooling.

Nut Free Version
Omit walnuts completely and increase cinnamon swirl for extra flavor.

Orange Cinnamon Variation
Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to batter for bright citrus notes.

Final Thoughts

Rainy afternoons have a way of slowing everything down, and Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake fits beautifully into that rhythm. The laughter in my kitchen that day blended with the scent of cinnamon and butter, creating a memory that lingered long after the plates were cleared. There’s a quiet joy in slicing through that tender crumb and seeing the cinnamon ribbon woven inside.

Sharing food like this has always felt like an invitation. It gathers people, softens conversations, and fills ordinary days with warmth. I hope this Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake brings that same sense of sweetness and connection into your home.