Name: Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup 2% milk; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 1/4 cup chopped pecans; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Table of Contents: Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Remember the joy of a quiet Sunday morning with the aroma of something delicious baking in the oven? Or perhaps the warmth of sharing a sweet treat with family after a holiday feast? This Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake isn’t just a recipe; it’s a portal to those comforting memories.

We’ve crafted a supremely moist and flavorful coffee cake, loaded with generous pockets of semi-sweet chocolate and a hint of cinnamon, designed to be the star of your breakfast table or a delightful accompaniment to your afternoon coffee. Perfect for bakers of all levels, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

This isn’t your average coffee cake recipe. We’re leaning into indulgence here, utilizing a generous amount of butter and the addition of cream cheese to create a truly decadent crumb. Forget dry, bland cakes – this one stays incredibly moist for days. Making this chocolate chip dessert feels like sending a warm hug to anyone who eats it.

This breakfast pastry will elevate your mornings, and let’s be honest, it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy a slice (or two!) as a special treat any time of the day. It’s the ultimate in easy comfort food for family dinners or spontaneous gatherings.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, preparing for a holiday, or simply craving a little sweetness on a weeknight, this rich chocolate chip coffee cake will deliver. It strikes a beautiful balance between everyday ease and special-occasion extravagance. Prepare to receive compliments – and requests for the recipe!

Alternate Names & Variations

This recipe goes by many names! Some folks call it a “crumb cake” depending on the emphasis on the streusel topping. You might also find similar recipes listed as “chocolate chip sour cream cake” or even “Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cake” if the cinnamon flavor is particularly prominent.

A fun variation to this coffee cake recipe is swapping the pecans for walnuts, or even adding a swirl of caramel sauce before baking for an extra layer of deliciousness. You can also adjust the amount of chocolate chips to your liking – more chocolate is always a good idea, in our opinion!

Ingredients: Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this heavenly bake:

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
* 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
* 1/4 cup 2% milk
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. (Chef’s tip: using parchment paper to line the pan makes removal so much easier!)
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of the granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a tender crumb, so don’t rush it! (About 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.)
3. Add Cream Cheese: Beat in the softened cream cheese until fully combined. Ensure there are no lumps.

4. Incorporate Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Alternate Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Overmixing will result in a tough cake.

7. Fold in Chocolate & Pecans: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
8. Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
9. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Cool & Enjoy: Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Card Block (Quick Reference)

This rich chocolate chip coffee cake takes about 15 minutes of prep time, and bakes for 30-35 minutes. The total time, from start to finish, is around 50-60 minutes. It yields approximately 12 servings. While calculating exact calories can be tricky, a generous slice (about 1/12 of the cake) is estimated to contain around 350-400 calories.

Why This Recipe Works & Expert Tips

This rich chocolate chip coffee cake achieves its remarkable texture and flavor through a few key techniques. The combination of butter and cream cheese in the batter creates an ultra-tender crumb and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. Using room temperature ingredients is essential – it allows everything to emulsify properly, resulting in a smoother batter.

Don’t skimp on the softened butter; it’s what contributes to the cake’s delightful moistness.

The streusel topping, with its cinnamon-sugar crunch, adds a perfect textural contrast to the soft cake. This is truly easy comfort food for family dinners or a delightful addition to a weekend brunch. For an extra decadent touch, consider serving a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

Leftover rich chocolate chip coffee cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For even longer storage, consider freezing it. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight.

To reheat, you can either microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds, or gently warm it in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5-10 minutes. This will help restore some of its moistness and enhance the flavors. If you’re serving a frozen cake, baking it directly from frozen (covered with foil for the first half of baking) can be a good option for a crowd.

This chocolate chip dessert often tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to meld!

People Also Ask: Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

How do you make a rich chocolate chip coffee cake?

This rich chocolate chip coffee cake is made by creaming together butter and cream cheese with sugar, then adding eggs and vanilla. Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt are combined separately and gradually added to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Finally, chocolate chips and pecans are folded in, and the batter is topped with a cinnamon-sugar streusel before baking.

The key to richness is the generous amount of butter and the inclusion of cream cheese in the batter, making it perfectly suited as a breakfast pastry or a lovely sweet treat.

H3: What makes a coffee cake “rich”?

Several factors contribute to a coffee cake being considered “rich.” The proportion of butter and sugar is significantly higher than in a standard cake. Many coffee cake recipes, like this one, incorporate cream cheese or sour cream into the batter, adding moisture and a subtle tang that enhances the flavor. Additionally, a generous streusel topping, often containing nuts, increases the overall richness and textural complexity. It’s all about creating a dense, moist, and deeply flavorful experience – a departure from lighter, fluffier cakes.

Can I add a glaze to this coffee cake?

Absolutely! While the streusel topping provides plenty of sweetness, a simple glaze can elevate this rich chocolate chip coffee cake even further. A classic powdered sugar glaze (made with powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice) works beautifully.

You could also create a chocolate glaze by melting chocolate chips with a little bit of butter. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake for a stunning presentation and an extra layer of indulgence.

Is this cake served for breakfast or dessert?

Traditionally, coffee cake is a breakfast or brunch item, intended to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee – hence the name! However, this particular rich chocolate chip coffee cake is so decadent and satisfying that it also makes a wonderful dessert. It’s truly versatile! You can serve it warm with ice cream, or enjoy a slice with a glass of milk after dinner.

Conclusion: Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

So there you have it – a recipe for a truly unforgettable Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake. We hope you’ll give it a try and experience the joy of a perfectly baked, deeply flavorful treat. Don’t be afraid to customize it with your favorite nuts or a swirl of caramel. We’d love to hear how it turns out! Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share pictures of your creations. Happy baking!