Irresistibly Moist Cinnamon Zucchini Coffee Cake Recipe

Weekends call for something special, and this moist cinnamon zucchini coffee cake delivers pure comfort straight from the oven.

Packed with garden-fresh zucchini and warm cinnamon spices, the cake promises a delightful twist on classic breakfast treats.

Each tender slice blends wholesome ingredients with irresistible sweetness that makes mornings feel magical.

The subtle green flecks of zucchini add moisture and nutrition without compromising the cake’s rich flavor profile.

Cinnamon swirls throughout the batter, creating pockets of warmth in every bite.

Sprinkled with a crumbly streusel topping, this cake transforms an ordinary morning into a delectable celebration.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this incredible morning delight.

Ways to Plate and Serve Your Zucchini Cake

• Breakfast Bliss: Pair this cake with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
• Dessert Delight: Serve as an after-dinner sweet with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Showcase this cake on a weekend brunch spread alongside fresh fruit and yogurt for a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper for a homemade gift that shows you care – perfect for neighbors, teachers, or weekend visitors.

How to Store and Save Zucchini Cake Portions

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping its soft texture and delightful moisture intact.
• Freezing Fresh Delight: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 3 months for quick grab-and-go breakfast or snack options.
• Moisture Protection Technique: Place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture, preventing soggy cake edges and maintaining perfect crumb consistency.
• Reheating Magic Method: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore original softness and enhance flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes in Cinnamon Zucchini Coffee Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake, providing structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that adds depth and creates a cozy autumn feel, opt for fresh ground cinnamon for intense flavor.
• Nutmeg: Subtle, sweet spice that complements cinnamon and adds complexity to the cake's taste profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides rich, sweet undertone, choose pure vanilla for the most authentic flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Sour Cream: Brings moisture and tanginess, ensuring a soft and tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
• Zucchini: Adds moisture, subtle sweetness, and nutrition, grate fresh zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create sweetness and help with caramelization, brown sugar adds extra moisture and depth.

• Flour, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Melted Butter: Create a crunchy, sweet layer that adds texture and flavor contrast.

Bake Tools to Make This Zucchini Cake Shine

• 9×9-inch baking pan: essential for creating the perfect cake size and shape.
• Large mixing bowl: ideal for combining wet ingredients and creating the cake batter.
• Medium mixing bowl: perfect for preparing dry ingredients and streusel topping.
• Small mixing bowls: great for making the glaze and streusel mixture.
• Whisk: helps blend ingredients smoothly and break up any lumps.
• Spatula: crucial for folding zucchini into batter and spreading mixture evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Grater: used for shredding fresh zucchini.
• Toothpick: helps check cake doneness by testing center of the cake.

Bake a Spiced Zucchini Cake With Ease

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and get a 9×9 baking dish ready by giving it a generous butter massage and light flour dusting.

• Create Crumbly Topping

Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Drizzle melted butter and stir until the mixture looks like sandy pebbles.

• Whip Together Cake Base

Combine flour, baking powder, spices, and other dry ingredients in one bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one by one, stirring in vanilla. Blend in sour cream, then gently fold dry ingredients and shredded zucchini into the batter.

• Layer and Top the Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan, making sure it’s spread evenly. Sprinkle the crumbly topping across the surface like a delicate blanket.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Finish with Sweet Drizzle

Optional: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a silky glaze. Drizzle over cooled cake for extra indulgence.

• Serve and Enjoy

Cut into generous slices and savor immediately – warm or at room temperature.

Flavor Changes for Zucchini Coffee Cake Fans

• Zucchini Rescue Tricks: Keep Your Cake Moist and Delicious
• Moisture Management: Pat shredded zucchini with paper towels to remove excess water, preventing a soggy cake texture and ensuring perfect crumb consistency.
• Spice Swap Adventure: Experiment with warming spices like cardamom or ginger to create unique flavor profiles that complement the zucchini's mild taste.
• Dietary Flexibility: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version. Swap butter with coconut oil for dairy-free alternative, maintaining rich moistness.
• Nutty Upgrade: Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into batter for extra crunch and nutritional boost, adding delightful texture to every bite.
• Storage Secret: Store cake covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Gently reheat slices for that fresh-from-the-oven warmth and softness.

Moist Cinnamon Zucchini Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty zucchini mingles with warm cinnamon in this coffee cake masterpiece from grandma’s kitchen. Moist crumb and sweet streusel topping create a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat you’ll savor with pure comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups zucchini (shredded, squeezed to remove excess moisture)
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup (55 g / 2 oz) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ½ cup (65 g / 2.3 oz) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
• ½ cup (110 g / 3.9 oz) brown sugar (for streusel)
• ¼ cup (55 g / 2 oz) unsalted butter (melted, for streusel)
• ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for streusel)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk (for glaze)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C). Fortify a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter and flour, or line with parchment paper for seamless extraction.
2. Streusel Creation: Merge flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Introduce melted butter, transforming the mixture into rustic, uneven clusters. Set aside this aromatic topping.
3. Batter Assembly: Whisk dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a parallel vessel, whip butter and sugars until ethereally light. Integrate eggs methodically, followed by vanilla and sour cream. Gently fold dry ingredients, maintaining a delicate consistency. Incorporate zucchini, distributing verdant strands throughout the batter.
4. Pan Arrangement: Pour batter into prepared pan, leveling the surface. Lavishly sprinkle reserved streusel across the top, creating a textural landscape.
5. Baking Ritual: Position cake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. Confirm completion by inserting a slender tester – it should emerge immaculately clean.
6. Cooling Interlude: Allow cake to stabilize in the pan for 20 minutes, enabling structural development.
7. Optional Embellishment: Craft a luminescent glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until silky. Cascade artfully across the cooled surface.
8. Serving Finale: Slice into enticing portions, ideal when served warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Zucchini contains high water content, so gently squeeze excess liquid after shredding to prevent a soggy cake texture.
• Streusel Success: Ensure butter is melted but not hot when mixing streusel to create perfect crumbly consistency that won’t sink into batter.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients with a light hand to maintain cake’s tender crumb and prevent tough, dense results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg