Cozy Autumn Comfort: Pumpkin Coffee Cake Inspired by The Food Charlatan

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe Inspired by The Food Charlatan

Introduction

Nothing says autumn comfort like the cozy aroma and spiced sweetness of a Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Inspired by The Food Charlatan’s beloved recipe, this cake brings together moist pumpkin layers and a perfectly crumbly, cinnamon-streusel topping. With minimal prep, approachable ingredients, and show stopping flavor, it’s the ideal treat for holiday brunches, afternoon coffee breaks, or friendly get-togethers.

Why This Pumpkin Coffee Cake Stands Out

What sets this recipe apart is the triple-layered indulgence—moist pumpkin base, a thick ribbon of cinnamon brown sugar, and a golden streusel topping. The blend of pumpkin puree and warm fall spices delivers a cake that’s tender, aromatic, and never dry. It’s consistently a crowd pleaser—easy to assemble, easy to love, and hard to resist another slice.

The Secret to Moist Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Don’t rush the process: use real pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for best flavor and texture. Allow the eggs and butter to come to room temperature for optimal mixing. Layer the brown sugar cinnamon filling and finish with a generous streusel for the classic coffee cake experience—crisp on top, plush in the middle.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Warm a slice and serve it with your favorite hot coffee or spiced chai. For a decadent twist, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze or dust with powdered sugar. Pumpkin Coffee Cake also makes an excellent addition to brunch spreads or a thoughtful homemade treat to share with loved ones.

Nutritional Information and Servings

This recipe makes a 9×13-inch cake (or 16 hearty portions). Each piece contains approximately 310–340 calories, depending on topping and glaze. It’s a sweet, seasonal splurge perfect for special occasions or weekend indulgence.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe from The Food Charlatan (Recap)

Moist pumpkin filling, warm autumn spices, and a crumbly, buttery streusel combine for a coffee cake that hits all the right notes. No-fuss steps and everyday ingredients make this recipe a go-to for any home baker who loves cozy seasonal bakes.

Ingredients

For the Coffee Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
⅓ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the Streusel Topping:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
Optional vanilla glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tablespoons milk + ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe in CookifyAI to instantly organize all ingredients by store section—making meal planning and grocery runs speedy and stress free.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Prepare the streusel: In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter cubes until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Make the cinnamon swirl: In another small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
  4. Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, sour cream, milk, and vanilla until smooth and well blended.
  6. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
  7. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the cinnamon swirl mixture. Add remaining batter and spread evenly.
  8. Spoon the streusel topping evenly over the cake.
  9. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan at least 20 minutes before slicing.
  10. (Optional) While cake cools, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until a smooth glaze forms. Drizzle over cooled coffee cake before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

Pumpkin Coffee Cake isn’t just for special occasions—it’s great for weekly prep, lasting several days and pairing beautifully with breakfast or afternoon snacks. Schedule and save this recipe in CookifyAI to automatically compile your shopping lists and plan when to bake it in your week.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts when scaling up for brunches or parties
– Sorts grocery items by section for faster shopping trips
– Helps reduce overbuying and food waste by combining shared ingredients across all your recipes
– Makes it easy to coordinate sweet treats with main meals and sides

Pro tip: Save and schedule the coffee cake alongside breakfast casseroles or savory brunch dishes in CookifyAI—the tool will intelligently consolidate overlapping ingredients (like eggs, sugar, butter), keeping your planning seamless and efficient.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling time)

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