Who doesn’t love a warm and sweet coffee cake? This Pecan Coffee Cake has a tasty orange flavor, a crumbly topping, and just the right amount of chocolate with a sweet orange glaze. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
This Pecan Coffee Cake is great for the holiday season. The cake has a rich cinnamon pecan streusel, fresh orange zest, and chocolate, making it a festive treat for special occasions or cozy mornings at home. You can easily make it with simple ingredients like brown sugar, sour cream, and fresh orange juice.
Why You'll Love This Coffee Cake
- It is packed with pecans, chocolate chips, and orange zest for a unique flavor.
- Easy-to-make streusel adds a sweet crunch.
- Moist and fluffy texture with a tangy glaze.
- Great for make-ahead breakfasts!
- A warm coffee cake slice goes well with tea or hot coffee.
Ingredients in Pecan Coffee Cake
Pecan Chocolate Streusel:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 6 tablespoon chilled butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Coffee Cake:
- granulated sugar
- unsalted butter (room temperature)
- large eggs
- vanilla extract
- orange zest
- all purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- sour cream
- fresh orange juice
Orange Glaze:
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- fresh orange juice
See the recipe card for the full ingredients and directions for how to make this cinnamon pecan coffee cake.
How to Make Coffee Cake with Pecans
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, make the streusel by combining the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or forks until the mixture is crumbly.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans. Chill the streusel in the fridge until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition; then, stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the wet ingredients, alternating between the two. Stir in the orange juice and scrape the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is mixed.
- Grease a 13” x 9” pan. Spread half of the batter evenly in the pan.
- Add a layer of the prepared streusel on top. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake batter over the streusel and gently spread it out. Finish by topping with the remaining streusel.
- Bake the cake uncovered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Then cover with foil and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange juice to create the glaze, then drizzle it over the cake.
Quick Tips for Making Streusel
- Use chilled butter to get the perfect crumbly texture.
- A pastry cutter makes mixing easy, but two forks work too!
- Chill the streusel to keep it firm and crunchy during baking.
- Use a small food processor to chop the pecans quickly. Just pulse a few times until they’re in small pieces.
How to Store Coffee Cake
Keep the coffee cake covered at room temperature for no more than 2 days to maintain freshness.
For longer storage, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can last for up to a week.
If you wish to freeze it, wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw it before serving.
Variations
- No Pecans? Swap for walnuts or almonds.
- Add More Flavor: Try lemon zest instead of orange.
- Skip Chocolate: Leave out the chocolate chips for a more traditional taste.
- Spices: Add nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
More Coffee Cake Recipes
Check out this variety of coffee cake recipes that are great for any occasion.
Classic Cinnamon Coffee Cake- This moist cake is a popular, tender coffee cake made with sour cream and a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl. It has a crumbly topping and a light dusting of powdered sugar. It’s perfect for your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake- This fruity coffee cake is filled with juicy blueberries and tangy cream cheese and features a buttery crumb topping for added flavor and texture. The fresh blueberries and soft cake create a lovely balance that berry lovers will enjoy.
Apple Crumb Coffee Cake- This cake has a moist base, warm cinnamon, and apple pieces.
📖 Recipe
Pecan Coffee Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cake
- 1 ⅓ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup butter - room temperature
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest from 1 orange
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
Pecan Streusel
- 1 tablespooon cinnamon
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter - chilled
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Orange glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, make the streusel by combining the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or forks until the mixture is crumbly.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans. Chill the streusel in the fridge until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition; then, stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the wet ingredients, alternating between the two. Stir in the orange juice and scrape the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is mixed.
- Grease a 13” x 9” pan. Spread half of the batter evenly in the pan.
- Add a layer of the prepared streusel on top. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake batter over the streusel and gently spread it out. Finish by topping with the remaining streusel.
- Bake the cake uncovered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Then cover with foil and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange juice to create the glaze, then drizzle it over the cake.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
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