Historians believe coffee cake has its origins in European sweet breads and pastries. The baked good earned its name because it was intended to be consumed with a cup of coffee, though in the 1800s, some recipes actually included coffee or coffee extract. However, at some point in the 20th century, many recipes for this cake stopped including coffee altogether. Instead, it became known for its signature topping: a crumble or streusel made with cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes even nuts. This modern, coffeeless version is the one Sinatra enjoyed.
The Entenmann's cake features a heavy coating of powdered sugar on its crumb. The combination of the sweet cinnamon crunch on top of the soft, moist sponge is what gives the treat its wow factor (though you could always try making cinnamon streusel coffee cake at home, too).