Maple Pecan Coffee Cake

A delicious bakery style Maple Pecan Coffee Cake, made with a gooey cinnamon swirl, a maple pecan crumb topping and vanilla glaze drizzle.

This post is sponsored by Lifeway Kefir. All opinions are my own.

About this Recipe

This Maple Pecan Coffee Cake recipe is inspired by the fall/winter season flavors that we all love – maple, pecan and cinnamon! It’s made using Kefir, my favorite ingredient to make cakes extra moist and delicious. It features a nice and thick swirl made with brown sugar and cinnamon, and a generous crumble topping made with pecan, maple and butter! Comfort food, elevated.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Texture: Tender crumb meets a gooey cinnamon swirl and a crunchy streusel topping.
• Flavor: Bold maple syrup and warm cinnamon swirl through the cake, while the pecans add a nutty punch.
• Time: This recipe is surprisingly quick and easy to whip up, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Effort: easy-to-follow, no fancy equipment or techniques needed.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The base for our fluffy cake structure.
• Baking powder & soda: The leavening agents, giving our cake a nice rise.
• Butter & sugars: Butter adds richness and moisture, while the granulated and brown sugars balance the sweetness with a touch of caramel depth.
• Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup adds a warm, woodsy flavor.
• Eggs: Provide structure and bind the ingredients together.
• Sour cream & Kefir: These tangy additions add moisture and keep the cake incredibly tender.
• Cinnamon & brown sugar: For the irresistible cinnamon swirl that melts into the cake.
• Pecans: Adding crunch and nutty flavor to the crumb topping.
• Powdered sugar & vanilla extract: For a simple, elegant glaze to tie everything together.

How to Use Kefir in Baked Goods

Due to it’s high acidity, Kefir acts similarly to buttermilk resulting in a light and airy, and moist texture. To use kefir as a buttermilk substitute, use a 1-to-1 ratio.

If you’re looking for other recipes using Kefir, check out my S’mores Meringue Pie, Chocolate Dulce de Leche Cake Dulce de Leche Churro Donuts and myBlueberry Streusel Quick Bread.

How to make a Maple Pecan Coffee Cake:

This recipe consists of 4 easy layers; the cake base, cinnamon swirl, maple pecan crumb topping and vanilla glaze.

• Make the cake, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer or using beaters, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Add 1 egg at a time, followed by maple syrup. Alternating adding the sour cream, milk and dry ingredients, until fully incorporated. Pour half of the batter into a prepared 13×9 pan.
• Make the cinnamon swirl: combine cinnamon, maple, flour and brown sugar. Layer on top of the batter and cover with remaining cake batter.
• Make the Maple Pecan Crumb topping: combine melted butter, flour, maple syrup, chopped pecans and cinnamon. Mix until it resembles wet sand. Top the cake with the crumb topping and bake for 60 minutes.
• Make the Vanilla Glaze: combine sifted powdered sugar, vanilla and a few tablespoons of kefir. Mix until desired consistency. Drizzle on top of cooled cake and enjoy!

Top Tip: Don’t overmix! A gentle hand is key to a tender crumb.

Storage

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FAQ:

• Can I substitute the sour cream? Plain yogurt works well!
• What’s a substitute for Kefir?  Use buttermilk.
• Can I make it gluten-free? Try a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture may be slightly different.
• Help! My cake didn’t rise! Make sure your baking powder and soda are fresh, and check your oven temperature using an oven thermometer.

Did You Like This Recipe?

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Maple Pecan Coffee Cake

Rosana

A delicious bakery style Maple Pecan Coffee Cake, made with a gooey cinnamon swirl, a maple pecan crumb topping and vanilla glaze drizzle.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  

For the Cake:

• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup salted butter room temp
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup Lifeway Kefir Plain Unsweetened or buttermilk

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 cup light brown sugar

For the Maple Pecan Crumb Topping

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 6 tbsp salted butter melted and cooled
• 2 cups chopped pecans

For the Vanilla Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 3-4 tbsp Kefir or whole milk, as needed

Instructions

 

To Make the Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and line a 13×9-inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients; flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar and brown sugar until soft and creamy, on medium speed. Add one egg at a time, and continue beating.
• Reduce to low, pour the maple syrup and milk, beat until just combined.
• Alternate the dry ingredients with the sour cream. Transfer half of the batter onto the prepared baking pan.
• Add the cinnamon swirl evenly across the top and spread the remaining batter over the swirl.
• Top with the crumble topping.
• Bake for 55-60 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil about half way through, to prevent the crumb topping from burning.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes before drizzling the vanilla glaze. Serve and enjoy!

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• Whisk together the cinnamon, flour, brown sugar and maple until combined. Set aside.

For the Maple Pecan Crumb Topping:

• Mix together the flour, maple, cinnamon and melted butter, until it resembles wet sand. Fold in the chopped pecans and set aside.

For the Vanilla Glaze:

• In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla and add 1 tablespoon of Kefir at a time until desired consistency. Set aside.

Notes

• Storage: store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keyword bakery style coffee cake, cinnamon swirl coffee cake, pecan coffee cake

* This post is brought to you by Lifeway Kefir. All content, including recipe, photos, and words are my own. Thank you for supporting the brans that keep Yoga of Cooking, mindful.