Is there anything cozier than the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin baking in the oven? This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Coffee Cake is fluffy, flavorful, and topped with a sweet cinnamon swirl that melts right in your mouth. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch, an after-school snack, or a sweet treat with your morning coffee, this cake brings all the warm fall vibes any time of year!
Method
Preheat & Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because a properly preheated oven ensures that your cake rises evenly and bakes through the center. While the oven is warming up, go ahead and prepare your 9-inch round cake pan. Lightly grease it with either butter or oil to prevent sticking. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper if you want a super easy release later.
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the pumpkin purée, milk, and eggs. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and the eggs are fully incorporated. This base will make your cake moist and give it that rich, comforting pumpkin flavor we all love.
Add Dry Ingredients
Once the wet ingredients are well combined, it’s time to add the dry ones. Gently stir in the all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir everything together just until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Be careful not to overmix here overworking the batter can make the cake dense rather than soft and fluffy.
Pour & Swirl
Pour the finished batter into your greased cake pan and use a spatula to spread it out evenly. Now it’s time for the fun part the cinnamon swirl! In a small bowl, mix the swirl topping ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, and milk. To apply it, either use a spoon or pour the mix into a plastic sandwich bag, snip off a tiny corner, and pipe it over the top of the batter in a swirl or zigzag pattern. This not only gives a beautiful design but also infuses the top of the cake with extra cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Bake
Carefully place your cake pan in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your cake is ready! The top should be lightly golden and spring back when touched gently.
Cool & Frost (Optional)
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 10–15 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to remove. If you’re adding frosting, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of water in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle this over the cooled cake for an extra sweet finish. It adds a beautiful glaze and a little maple magic!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Small bowl (for swirl topping)
- A plastic sandwich bag (to swirl the topping – fun and easy!)
- Oven
Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes25
minutes35
minutesIngredients
Cake Batter
¾ cup all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour)
⅔ cup almond flour
½ cup granulated sugar (I used coconut sugar)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ cup pumpkin purée
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
Cinnamon Swirl Topping
⅓ cup granulated sugar (again, I used coconut sugar)
1 tsp cinnamon
1½ tsp milk
Optional Frosting (if you want extra sweetness!)
½ cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp water
Directions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9-inch cake pan with a bit of oil or butter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, milk, and eggs until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until everything is combined and the batter is smooth.
- Pour & Swirl: Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan. In a small bowl, mix the swirl topping ingredients. Use a spoon or a plastic bag with the tip snipped off to drizzle the swirl on top. Make little loops or zigzags have fun with it!
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Frost (Optional): Let it cool slightly. If you’re adding frosting, mix the
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter just stir until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking. This helps the cake rise properly.
- If using a plastic bag for the swirl, don’t snip too big a hole or the swirl might become a blob!
- Let the cake cool for a few minutes before adding frosting, or it might melt right off.
Serving Suggestions
This cake pairs perfectly with a warm drink like coffee, chai, or hot chocolate. It also makes a lovely dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can even enjoy a slice for breakfast because, why not?
Fun Fact
Did you know that pumpkin is actually a fruit? Yup! It’s packed with Vitamin A and fiber, making your sweet treat just a little bit healthy too.
Conclusion
There you have it: Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Coffee Cake that’s as easy to make as it is delicious to eat! It’s perfect for fall (or anytime you’re craving cozy comfort). The cinnamon swirl on top makes each bite magical. Give it a try and let me know how yours turns out, snap a pic and tag me!
