Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

YOU WILL LOVE THIS PUMPKIN CRUMB CAKE

What isn’t to love about pumpkin crumb cake? From the moist and tender pumpkin cake infused with aromatic pumpkin pie spice to crunchy crumb topping to the silky glaze, each part of this coffee cake is absolute perfection.

THREE COMPONENTS MAKE THIS A GREAT RECIPE 

There are three things that take this coffee cake to a whole new, fall-inspired level. The moist pumpkin cake base, the crumbly brown sugar streusel topping, and the pumpkin spice drizzle. Each of these components makes a pumpkin coffee cake that is packed with all of the pumpkin pie flavor that you love.

Technically, you can skip the glaze on top if you prefer. But I think that it adds a little something special to this cake and makes it perfectly sweet. You can also just serve it on the side as an option. Be sure to test lots of bites with and without so the science sciences properly. 

PUMPKIN COFFEE CAKE INGREDIENTS

The pumpkin flavor in this coffee cake comes naturally from pumpkin purée, but is enhanced by warm spices that are associated with pumpkin like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. You can use a pumpkin pie spice that is already made for you so you have all of these flavors in one! Then, you just need to add some extra cinnamon for maximum flavor.

PUMPKIN SPICE CRUMB TOPPING

The base for this pumpkin streusel is my beloved crunchy streusel topping. We’re simply adding pumpkin spice flavor to complement the pumpkin flavor in the coffee cake. 

PUMPKIN CAKE

The base for this coffee cake is a variation of my favorite pumpkin streusel muffins and classic coffee cake recipes put together.

PUMPKIN SPICE GLAZE

This simple glaze doesn’t use any fat, so it’s nice and thin for drizzling on top of the cake.

HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY PUMPKIN COFFEE CAKE RECIPE

You’ll want to start by preparing the buttery streusel first. That way, you can be sure it’s nice and chilled before you put it on top of the pumpkin coffee cake base. Cold butter makes the biggest chunks of streusel, so I always like to prepare my streusel toppings while my oven heats up. 

PREPARE THE STREUSEL TOPPING

STEP #1

To make the perfect crumbly streusel topping, place the flour, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt into a small bowl.

STEP #2

Using a fork, press all of the ingredients together until the butter is in small chunks. Use your fingers to pinch pieces together until the streusel is mostly small crumbles (some large crumbles are ok), then set this mixture aside.

MAKE AND BAKE THE CAKE BATTER

STEP #3

In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt, and set this mixture aside.

STEP #4

Next, whisk together the brown sugar, butter, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth. Add the egg, pumpkin purée, and milk and whisk again until everything is combined.

STEP #5

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir the batter with a spatula until it is just combined.

STEP #6

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out so that it lays evenly. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top of the batter, then bake. Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze. 

MAKE THE GLAZE

STEP #7

When you are ready to serve the coffee cake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.

STEP #8

Drizzle the glaze over the coffee cake, or save for drizzling over individual slices after serving.