Quick & Cozy Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Recipe for Fall Mornings

Pumpkin pecan coffee cake blends autumnal warmth with rich, comforting flavors that dance across your palate.

Sweet aromas of spiced goodness fill the kitchen, promising a delightful treat for family and friends.

Seasonal ingredients enhance an ordinary morning into a memorable culinary experience.

Layers of moist cake intertwine with crunchy pecan notes, creating a balanced texture that feels both rustic and elegant.

Delicate spices whisper hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, elevating this classic dessert beyond simple expectations.

Each bite tells a story of traditional baking techniques merged with contemporary taste preferences.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently craft this delectable masterpiece that celebrates fall’s most beloved ingredients.

Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Worth Waking Up For

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: This pumpkin pecan coffee cake delivers warm autumn flavors that hug your taste buds with rich, cozy spices perfect for chilly mornings.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful contrast between the moist, tender cake base and the crunchy, buttery pecan streusel topping that adds incredible depth and excitement to every bite.
• Quick Breakfast Magic: Whip up this impressive coffee cake in under an hour, making it an ideal solution for spontaneous weekend breakfasts or unexpected guest gatherings without complicated techniques or extensive preparation time.

Ingredients List for Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the coffee cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake's tenderness.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent for a light, fluffy cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm, aromatic blend that gives classic autumn flavor.

• Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, rich color, and seasonal pumpkin taste.
• Milk: Helps create smooth, consistent cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, rich background flavor.

• Butter: Creates rich, golden streusel with delicious flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness to topping.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind streusel ingredients together.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements pumpkin flavor.
• Pecans: Adds crunch, nutty flavor, and textural contrast to cake.

How to Bake Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Pumpkin pie spice

• Pumpkin puree
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Blend until smooth, ensuring no flour pockets remain. Transfer batter into prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface evenly.

Step 3: Craft Crunchy Pecan Topping

• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon

Stir until well blended. Fold in chopped pecans. Sprinkle topping across cake batter, gently pressing some bits into the mixture for extra texture.

Step 4: Bake Until Perfect

Place cake in preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Slice into squares. Serve alongside a steaming mug of coffee or tea for a delightful treat.

Tips to Keep Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Moist

• Master Moisture Control: Precisely measure pumpkin puree to prevent a soggy cake, ensuring the perfect texture by gently pressing out excess liquid before adding to batter.
• Nail the Streusel Technique: Create crunchy, distinct streusel layers by keeping butter slightly cool and using your fingertips to crumble the topping for maximum texture variation.
• Prevent Overbaking Pitfalls: Check cake doneness early, using the toothpick test around 30 minutes to maintain the cake's tender, moist interior without drying out.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast pecans briefly before chopping to intensify their nutty richness and add an extra layer of complexity to the streusel topping.
• Storage Smart Move: Store cooled cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for a make-ahead breakfast treat that stays fresh.

How to Store and Reheat Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or whole cake in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For crispy streusel, reheat in oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes. Allow cake to sit for 1-2 minutes after reheating to distribute heat evenly.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Pairing Suggestions

• Brew Coffee Companions: Pair this pumpkin pecan coffee cake with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that highlights the cake's warm spices and nutty pecan crunch. The coffee's caramel undertones will complement the cake's sweet streusel topping perfectly.
• Tea Time Elegance: Select a spiced chai tea or a smooth Earl Grey to enhance the cake's pumpkin and cinnamon notes. The aromatic tea will create a harmonious balance with the cake's delicate texture and robust flavors.
• Creamy Beverage Match: Serve alongside a cold glass of vanilla almond milk or a creamy latte to soften the cake's warm spices. The smooth, subtle sweetness will provide a refreshing contrast to the dense, nutty cake.
• Dessert Wine Indulgence: For an adult twist, enjoy a small pour of tawny port or a sweet moscato wine. These dessert wines will bring out the cake's rich autumn flavors and provide a luxurious finishing touch to your tasting experience.

Variations to Elevate Your Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cake: Replace granulated sugar with maple syrup and add a drizzle of warm maple glaze on top after baking for extra sweetness and depth.
• Gluten-Free Autumn Delight: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the cake accessible for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the rich pumpkin flavor.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Version: Create a creamy cream cheese mixture and swirl it through the batter before adding the pecan streusel, adding a tangy richness to the traditional recipe.
• Spiced Nutty Harvest Cake: Increase the pumpkin pie spice and incorporate additional warm spices like cardamom and ginger to enhance the autumnal flavor profile, creating a more complex and aromatic coffee cake.

Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pumpkin pecan coffee cake brings autumn’s warmth to your breakfast table with its rich, spiced layers and crunchy pecan streusel topping. Moist, fragrant slices promise comfort and indulgence you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup (177 ml) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (118 ml) milk
• ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable or canola oil

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup (118 ml) brown sugar
• ½ cup (118 ml) pecans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lightly coating a 9×9-inch pan with a thin layer of oil or butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until thoroughly integrated.
3. Introduce wet components to the dry mixture: pour in pumpkin puree, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, stirring gently until the batter achieves a smooth, uniform consistency without overmixing.
4. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly and create a level surface.
5. Create the streusel topping by melting butter in a microwave-safe container, then incorporating brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon until a cohesive mixture forms.
6. Fold chopped pecans into the streusel mixture, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the crumbly topping.
7. Generously sprinkle the pecan streusel across the cake’s surface, using fingertips to gently press some topping slightly into the batter for enhanced texture and integration.
8. Position the pan in a preheated oven set to 350°F and bake for 35-45 minutes, monitoring until a testing skewer emerges with minimal, moist crumbs.
9. Remove from oven and allow the coffee cake to cool slightly, permitting the streusel to set and the cake to stabilize before slicing.
10. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a steaming beverage for a delightful morning or afternoon treat.

Notes

• Streusel Secrets: Melting butter before mixing ensures a smoother, more evenly distributed topping that clings perfectly to the cake’s surface.
• Mixing Magic: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together to maintain a tender crumb, stopping just when ingredients are combined to avoid tough cake texture.
• Pecan Power: Toasting pecans briefly before adding to streusel intensifies their nutty flavor and adds an extra layer of deliciousness to the coffee cake.
• Spice Symphony: Pumpkin pie spice brings warmth and depth, transforming an ordinary cake into a cozy autumn-inspired treat that feels like a hug in every bite.
• Moisture Mastery: Using pumpkin puree creates an incredibly moist cake that stays fresh longer and delivers rich, subtle sweetness without overwhelming the other flavors.
• Serving Suggestion: Enjoy slightly warm for maximum flavor and texture, allowing the streusel to remain crisp and the cake to melt in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg