Recipe of the Year: 2023

10 cakes for 10 years

A cake that can do anything

Our 2023 Recipe of the Year journey started with a simple goal: to perfect the classic coffee cake. After a few months of tinkering, we landed on a failproof recipe that marries the most tender cake (thank you, reverse creaming) with the crispiest crumbs. Watch how to make it step-by-step.

But instead of a single recipe (and in honor of our 10th Recipe of the Year), we created 10 variations of this incredible coffee cake. We’ll be revealing new versions throughout the year, so don't pick a favorite just yet — there’s lots more coffee cake on the way.

Get the classic recipe View all versions

How we perfected a classic

Reverse creaming

Mixing the dry ingredients with the butter to form a paste limits gluten development and results in a tender, moist cake.

Cornstarch

The secret to the crispy crumbs? Confectioners’ sugar, which includes a touch of cornstarch that takes the topping's texture from soft to crisp.

Hint of tang

Using buttermilk or Greek yogurt in the cake balances the sweetness, and the acidity helps keep the cake soft.

Something special

Whether it’s three doses of chocolate, bright stripes of jam, or a ribbon of cinnamon filling, each coffee cake has a special ingredient that gives it big flavor.