Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Learn how to make cinnamon coffee cake! This recipe is a must-try, combining perfectly moist chocolate chip cake with a cinnamon sugar filling. Best of all, this recipe originally came from a dear friend, so you know it’s made with love. 

Chocolate cinnamon coffee cake 

Today’s recipe is extra special because not only is it delicious, but it’s also a gift. 

This chocolate chip cinnamon cake recipe was shared with me by my neighbor, Madeline Kohler, who is an incredible cook and baker. I have fond memories of eating this cake as a young girl! Anytime I went over to play with her kids, there would be an amazing baked good sitting on the stove. 

This chocolate chip cinnamon cake was always my favorite of hers, and I’m so excited to share an adapted version of the recipe with you here! Her original recipe is posted here. Thank you, Madeline, for shaping my childhood and stuffing it full of incredible goodies like this cake!

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit on everything that goes into this cinnamon cake with chocolate chips:

Coffee cake

• Butter: 2 sticks of softened butter keep this coffee cake moist and decadent (no dry cake here!). 
• Sugar: To sweeten this recipe, I use 1 ½ cups of white sugar. 
• Eggs: 3 eggs bind our cake, giving it structure, moisture, and richness. 
• Vanilla: I add 2 tsp of vanilla extract to the batter for a subtle sweetness and flavor. 
• Sour cream: The secret to any good coffee cake is sour cream. Its light tang balances the sweetness and provides a melt-in-your-mouth texture. This recipe calls for 1 ½ cups.
• Flour: The base of this cake is 3 cups of all-purpose flour. 
• Baking powder + baking soda: For leavening, I add 2 tsp baking powder and 1 ½ tsp baking soda. 
• Salt: ½ tsp salt helps enhance all of the flavors in this cake. 
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Chocolate chips are always a welcome addition! This recipe calls for 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a chocolatey flavor in every bite. 

Cinnamon sugar filling 

• Sugar: To finish this recipe, I add a little extra sweetness with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. This step calls for ¾ cup sugar.
• Cinnamon: Finally, you’ll need 2 tsp of cinnamon to complete the cinnamon sugar filling. A little bit goes a long way!

Kitchen tools required

Gather a few kitchen essentials to make this chocolate chip cinnamon cake.

• 9×13 glass casserole dish 
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium-sized mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Spatula

You’ll also need some measuring cups, including 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tsp, and ½ tsp. 

How to make chocolate chip cinnamon coffee cake

Prepping this cinnamon coffee cake is easy. Here’s how to get it done!

Preparing the coffee cake batter 

First up – preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 glass casserole dish. 

Next, add two sticks of softened butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar into a large mixing bowl. Beat them together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until creamy. Add 2 tsp vanilla and 3 eggs, mixing until well combined. Finally, beat in 1 ½ cups of sour cream to complete the wet mixture. 

For dry ingredients, whisk together 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 ½ tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Slowly add your dry mixture into the wet ingredients with the mixer, taking breaks to scrape down the sides as needed. Your finished batter will be thick and fluffy! Avoid over-mixing as this will make your cake too dense. 

In a small mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup of sugar with 2 tsp of cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar filling. 

Assembling and baking

To assemble your cinnamon coffee cake, add half of the batter to the bottom of your greased pan, using a spatula to spread it. Use short, wispy strokes (the batter will be thick!). 

On top of this batter, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar and 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips. Repeat with another layer of spread batter, cinnamon sugar, and 6 oz of chocolate chips. 

Bake your cinnamon cake with chocolate chips for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing. 

Recipe tips

Below are some common cinnamon coffee cake questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How to serve cinnamon coffee cake

Coffee cake doesn’t actually contain coffee – it’s meant to be enjoyed along with it!

Serve up a thick slice of chocolate chip cinnamon cake with your favorite coffee (matcha or chai work as well!) for Sunday brunch. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, as just the right amount of indulgence. 

On the side, fresh orange slices, berries, or a dollop of yogurt will elevate this meal.

Why is my coffee cake dry?

The number one culprit for a dry cake is overbaking. Be sure to check on your coffee cake at the 45-minute mark and do a quick toothpick test. If your toothpick comes out with a couple of moist crumbs, it’s ready to come out. 

You may also want to check on your oven temperature, using an oven thermometer for an accurate reading. An oven that runs hot will need an adjusted bake time. 

Storing leftovers

To store leftover coffee cake, let it cool completely before adding it to an airtight container. Alternatively, a bit of plastic wrap on top of your casserole dish would do the trick. 

This recipe is shelf-stable for up to three days, though you can also refrigerate it for up to a week. 

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

On the hunt for more delicious sweets? Each of these recipes is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

• Healthy Cookie Skillet
• Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls
• Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
• Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
• Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa