Indulge in a Buttery Butterscotch Cream Cheese Cake
Welcome coffee cake lovers! Today I am thrilled to share with you my recipe for Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. If you’re wondering what makes this coffee cake stand out from the rest, it’s the perfect blend of creamy butterscotch and tangy cream cheese in every bite.
I have always been a fan of coffee cake, but this one takes the cake (pardon the pun). It’s not your average boring cake – it’s filled with delicious and nutty pecans, and a buttery crumb topping that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite. The layers of moist vanilla cake and creamy butterscotch pudding mix make each slice simply divine.
Whether you’re indulging in a lazy weekend brunch with friends or baking something special for your family, this Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake recipe is sure to impress. So let’s get started, grab your aprons and let’s bake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Can we talk about how fantastic this butterscotch cream cheese coffee cake recipe is? I mean, I get excited just looking at it. If you love the taste of butterscotch coffee cake, you are going to adore this recipe.
The combination of sweet and nutty flavors in every bite will have your taste buds singing with joy! And let me tell you, this recipe is so easy to follow that even beginner bakers can master it with ease.
Not only does it have that rich, creamy texture from the cream cheese, but there’s also a delightful crunch from the pecans that take it to another level. The delightful blend of vanilla and buttermilk in this cake will have you craving for more!
So, why do I believe that you are going to love this recipe? Because it is the perfect balance between sweet flavors and moist texture with crunchy toppings. This type of coffee cake is versatile enough to be enjoyed any time of the day as a dessert or breakfast.
Get ready to indulge yourself in the best butterscotch vanilla cake recipe ever! It will undoubtedly become your go-to party or brunch dessert.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this decadent Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake:
- 1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
For the filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the cream cheese layer:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the butterscotch sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- Pinch of salt
Note: The ingredient list may seem long, but don’t worry – most of these items are pantry staples that you may already have on hand.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to make the Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. Follow these easy steps, and in no time, you will have a delicious treat for your friends and family.
Step 1: Make the Butterscotch Filling
To start, in a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup of chilled butter and use a pastry blender or fork to cut it into the dry ingredients until you get course crumbs. Set this mixture aside.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In another medium bowl or a stand mixer, beat together 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients until you have a smooth mixture with no lumps.
Step 3: Make the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and grease a cake pan. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add in 2 cups of granulated sugar while whisking to combine them all.
In another large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 4 eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract till well combined.
Next, add 1 cup melted unsalted butter to the buttermilk mixture and stir it well while slowly pouring it into the dry ingredients mixture. Stir until just combined.
Step 4: Assemble Everything Together
Pour half of your cake batter into the prepared pan without shaking or moving it too much.
Top with cream cheese filling spreading evenly over batter layer followed by half of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
Add the remaining cake batter on top of this layer and spread it evenly so that it covers all the cream cheese filling.
Finish by spooning the remaining brown sugar cinnamon mixture onto the top of the cake batter layer.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Put your cake in for 50-60 minutes of baking until edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.
Once done, remove it from heat and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before removing it from pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve warm or cold and enjoy your Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake!
Substitutions and Variations
One thing about baking is that it allows for flexibility in terms of ingredients. So, if you don’t have some of the ingredients on hand, here are some substitutions and variations you might want to consider:
– Flour: If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
– Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
– Cream Cheese: Instead of using cream cheese, try using ricotta cheese or mascarpone cheese for a different texture and taste.
– Pecans: Walnuts or almonds can be used as a nut substitute.
– Butterscotch Chips: If you don’t have butterscotch chips, use chocolate chips or toffee bits instead.
– Cake Mix: If you don’t have a cake mix handy, make your own dry cake mix by combining 2 cups of flour, 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
– Flavor Twist: One variation we love is adding strawberry cream cheese frosting instead of plain cream cheese frosting. Or try adding some crushed Oreo cookies on top for a sweet chocolate flavor.
Always feel free to play with the ingredients to create your very own winning recipe.
Serving and Pairing
This Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a sweet delight that can be served as a breakfast or brunch dish, as well as a perfect dessert for any special occasion. When serving it, consider topping it with some chopped pecans to add crunch to each bite, or drizzling the butterscotch sauce that complements the cake’s flavor so perfectly.
The coffee cake pairs exceptionally well with a light-bodied dessert wine like moscato, which lends a fruity aroma to balance the sweetness of the cake. Alternatively, you can pair it with a cup of your favorite coffee, like a classic latte, which ideally enhances the dark and rich flavors of the cake.
If you’re serving the Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake as part of a brunch or breakfast spread, consider adding some seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. You could also serve the cake alongside savory dishes like scrambled eggs or bacon.
For those who prefer a little more indulgence in their dessert, try topping a slice of this coffee cake with some cream cheese frosting for an even creamier taste. The frosting complements the subtle flavors of vanilla and butterscotch beautifully while adding an extra layer of richness.
Overall, this Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways. It makes an excellent centerpiece for holiday parties or family gatherings and can easily be paired with anything from lemon iced tea to chocolate cake.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the many things I love about this Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe is its versatility. Whether you’re making it for a special event or just a treat for yourself, you can easily make it ahead of time and store it until ready to serve.
To make ahead, bake the cake as directed and let it cool completely. Once cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. The cake will stay fresh for up to three days at room temperature or up to five days in the refrigerator.
When ready to serve, simply reheat a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds or warm slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for five minutes. The cake reheats beautifully and maintains its moisture and flavor.
If you have any leftovers, fear not! This coffee cake also freezes well. Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. The cake will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
To thaw, simply remove individual slices from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can microwave frozen slices on defrost mode for approximately 30 seconds or until warmed through.
This Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe is perfect for meal prepping, entertaining or simply satisfying those sweet cravings with minimal effort.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have all the ingredients you need to make this delish butterscotch cream cheese coffee cake, let me share with you some tips for achieving perfect results.
First, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. This will not only result in a smoother batter but will also ensure they mix well together. Take the eggs and cream cheese out of the fridge approximately 30 minutes before baking.
Next, when measuring out your ingredients, use a digital kitchen scale instead of cups and spoons to ensure accurate measurements. This is especially important when it comes to flour as too much or too little can significantly affect the texture of the cake.
When mixing the dry ingredients with wet ones, like mixing flour with buttermilk, alternate ingredients in small amounts. Add flour in portions, combine then add buttermilk gradually and combine again. Repeat until all ingredients are combined. This helps to avoid overmixing which can result in tough and dense cake texture.
For the cream cheese filling, make sure it has no lumps before adding it to the batter. Use an electric mixer and beat it well for smooth consistency.
To achieve a perfect golden-brown finish on top of your cake, place it on the middle rack of a preheated oven (at 350°F) and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Lastly, let your cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing and serving for better texture and flavor.
Following these tips will help you to achieve a delicious, soft and moist butterscotch cream cheese coffee cake that everyone will adore. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this butterscotch cream cheese coffee cake recipe is a delicious and versatile treat that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Whether you choose to make it for breakfast, as a dessert or just as a mid-day snack, its rich and creamy flavor will leave you craving more. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike. So why not impress your friends and family with this delectable cake the next time you entertain? Trust me; they will thank you for it!
Butterscotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) package butterscotch baking bits
- 2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half or 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup cold butter (no subs please)
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
CRUMB TOPPING
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cold butter (no subs please)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
- Mix the dry CRUMB TOPPING ingredients (flour and sugar) together cut in the butter until crumbly; add in the pecans; set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butterscotch chips; stirring until smooth.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with the milk until smooth; stir in the melted baking chips; mix until blended.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.
- Cut in the cold butter, until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
- In a small/medium bowl,combine the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; stir into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon, JUST until moistened.
- Spoon half of the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the melted butterscotch mixture over the batter in the pan (you may swirl with a knife to marble or just leave as is, it is your choice).
- Top with the remaining cake batter.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes.
Add Your Own Notes
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