The Magic of Christmas Morning Coffee Cake
To this day, I wake up early on Christmas morning. I can sleep until 8 or 9 on an average Saturday, but Christmas is different, no matter how late I stayed up the night before. Last year I woke up at 5:45 with no alarm! Because I love my husband, I put in my headphones and dozed back off until 8. But the point is, I’m a child at heart.
Growing up, my family was a straight-to-the-presents kind of clan. At best, we dug into our stockings while my dad built a fire. But breakfast was always a lazy affair, something we’d get to after the presents had been opened and the batteries dug out of the back of the drawer. If you needed sustenance midway through the gift-opening frenzy, you’d just snack on some candy from your stocking.
As an adult (whatever that means), we make an exception for brewing coffee on Christmas morning, but breakfast still waits. I know many people who love to do make-ahead casseroles or slow cooker dishes, but we stick to a leisurely morning cooking things fresh. Enter: the Christmas morning coffee cake. It’s not hard, just as you’d hope of any recipe for a holiday morning. But do plan to make it the day of – it tastes best still warm from the oven, so make this after the kids have dug into their presents.
A Coffee Cake Fit for Christmas
This coffee cake is a pretty easy recipe: beat, bake, and drizzle! Most of it’s unattended too – you can go play with your presents while it cooks. One question that’s always nagged me, though: what makes something a coffee cake? Is it just that it’s good with coffee? Because we always call it that, but I don’t know if it is technically. But if so, I agree – this is the perfect pairing.
To make this Christmas coffee cake, you’ll start by beating together a cake mix, eggs, oil, water, vanilla, and butter flavoring. Beat that for a solid 8 minutes to get it nice and airy. During that time, mix together some sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling and topping.
Layer the batter and sugar mixture in a greased and floured Bundt pan, swirling it together with a knife as you go. Bake for 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. While it’s baking, make a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and more butter flavoring.
When the cake comes out golden and gorgeous, let it sit for 10 minutes before flipping it out onto a plate. Flouring the pan is key to help it release in one piece. Then, generously drizzle that sweet glaze over the top. Serve it up with some crispy bacon and your favorite fresh fruit – pineapple is always a hit in our house.
Home Cooking Rocks is the perfect place to find delicious recipes like this Christmas morning coffee cake. Be sure to check out all their tasty treats and holiday-inspired dishes!
The Best Christmas Morning Tradition
Seriously, this cake is just the best. You won’t want to miss this one! My husband, Logan, says it’s one of his favorite things I make. (Of course, the recipe came from my mom – the source of all the best recipes.)
What are your Christmas morning traditions? Do you have a special breakfast or baked treat you always look forward to? I’d love to hear about the ways you and your family celebrate the holiday season. Coffee cake or not, I hope your Christmas morning is filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of warm, delicious eats.
Happy Holidays, friends! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.
