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Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake: A Holiday Tradition

The memory is so vivid: waking up on Christmas morning to the aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting from the kitchen, a tantalizing promise of the treat to come. My grandmother, her eyes twinkling like the lights on the tree, would present the Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake – a tradition that filled our home with warmth and sweetness, a prelude to the joy of opening presents and spending time with family. That first bite, warm and comforting, always felt like the true start to Christmas Day.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours + overnight
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes + overnight rise
Yields: 1 9×13 inch pan
Serves: 24

Ingredients

For the Cake:

½ cup sugar
¼ cup butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk, warm
1 (¼ ounce) package yeast (or 2 tablespoons bulk yeast), dissolved in 3 tablespoons warm water
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla

For the Topping:

⅔ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, melted (or margarine)
½ cup nuts (or maraschino cherries, candied red or green cherries)

Equipment Needed

9×13 inch baking pan
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Electric mixer (optional, but recommended)
Small bowl for dissolving yeast

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup softened butter until light and fluffy. An electric mixer makes this easier, but you can also do it by hand.
Add the 2 eggs, beaten, and mix well to combine.
Warm the ½ cup milk until it is lukewarm – not too hot, or it will kill the yeast.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the 1 package (¼ ounce) of yeast (or 2 tablespoons of bulk yeast) in 3 tablespoons of warm water. Let it stand for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, which indicates the yeast is active.
Add the dissolved yeast mixture and the warm milk to the creamed sugar and butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the 3 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Stir in the ½ teaspoon vanilla.
Beat all of the ingredients together until a smooth dough forms.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and set the dough aside in a warm place to rise until it has doubled in size. This may take approximately 2 hours, depending on the temperature of your environment.
Once the dough has risen to double its size, grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Place the risen dough in the greased pan and spread it evenly to fill the pan.
Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the ⅔ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and 4 tablespoons melted butter (or margarine). If using nuts, maraschino cherries, or candied red and green cherries, add them to the topping mixture and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the dough in the pan.
Place the pan with the unbaked coffee cake in a cold oven overnight to rise. This slow, overnight rise is key to the cake’s texture.
The next morning, turn the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the coffee cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Yeast Activation: Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If it doesn’t foam when dissolved in warm water, it’s likely expired and won’t leaven the cake properly.
Warm Environment: To encourage the dough to rise properly, place it in a warm, draft-free area. A slightly warmed oven (turned off) or a sunny spot can work well.
Overnight Rise: Don’t skip the overnight rise in a cold oven. This allows for a slow, even rise that creates a light and airy texture.
Even Baking: To ensure even baking, rotate the pan halfway through the baking time.
Doneness Test: The toothpick test is reliable, but also look for a golden brown color and a slightly firm texture when gently pressed.
Nut Allergy Substitution: If you have nut allergies, simply use the suggested maraschino cherries or candied cherries. Finely chopped dried cranberries can also make a nice substitute.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve the Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake warm, either plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A cup of hot coffee or tea complements the sweetness of the cake perfectly.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds or in a low oven until heated through. The cake can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	156.6 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	54 g	35%
Total Fat	6.1 g	9%
Saturated Fat	2.9 g	14%
Cholesterol	28.5 mg	9%
Sodium	152.1 mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate	23 g	7%
Dietary Fiber	0.9 g	3%
Sugars	9.9 g	39%
Protein	3 g	5%

Variations & Substitutions

Dairy-Free: Substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and the milk with almond, soy, or oat milk.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free. You may need to experiment with different gluten-free flour blends to achieve the desired texture.
Spiced Up: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom to the topping for a warmer, spicier flavor.
Citrus Zest: Add the zest of an orange or lemon to the batter for a bright, citrusy note.
Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
A: Yes, you can use active dry yeast. Just ensure you proof it in warm water for about 5-10 minutes before adding it to the other ingredients.

Q: Can I make the dough the day before and bake it the next morning?
A: Yes, that’s exactly what the recipe instructs! The dough rises overnight in the cold oven.

Q: What if my dough doesn’t double in size in 2 hours?
A: The rising time can vary depending on the temperature of your environment. If it’s a cooler day, it may take longer. Be patient and let it rise until doubled, even if it takes a bit longer.

Q: Can I use a different size pan?
A: While a 9×13 inch pan is recommended, you can use a slightly smaller or larger pan. Keep in mind that this will affect the thickness of the coffee cake and may require adjusting the baking time.

Q: Can I skip the nuts in the topping?
A: Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of nuts or have allergies, you can substitute them with maraschino cherries, candied cherries, or simply leave them out.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake brings as much joy to your home as it has to mine for all these years. The combination of the soft, sweet cake, the crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping, and the memories it evokes, makes it a truly special treat. Don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your own tastes and preferences. I invite you to bake this for your loved ones this holiday season and share the warmth and love that comes with it. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!

Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake Recipe