This $4.98 Walmart Bakery Find Tastes Like Ina Garten Made It

It tastes homemade and makes everyday hosting feel effortless.

Exterior view of a Walmart store with its logo and signage visible on the building

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

I fantasize about someone dropping by my home and me saying, "Oh, would you care for a slice of coffee cake?" as I casually reveal the cake underneath a glass dome. Having coffee cake on hand for guests is the type of hostess energy I aspire to bring.

I've made countless varieties like lemon blueberry, apple, cinnamon, but Ina Garten's Sour Cream Coffee Cake still takes the crown. It's incredibly moist, and the cinnamon streusel topping is crave-worthy.

All that said, I recently departed from my homemade pursuits and tried Walmart Marketside Cinnamon Swirl Iced Cake and couldn't believe how close it came to Ina's.

Walmart Marketside Cinnamon Swirl Iced Cake

  • Price: $4.98 for eight pre-cut slices
  • Why I Love It: It is an unexpectedly delicious, budget-friendly bakery find that's as good as Ina Garten's coffee cake.

Why I Love Walmart's Cinnamon Swirl Iced Cake

Walmart's coffee cake isn't just delicious, it's a steal at $4.98 for eight pre-cut slices. At around 60 cents a slice, it's a budget-friendly find. A slice of coffee cake at a bakery or coffee shop could cost as much as the whole pack.

It's not just about price. The texture is tender without being mushy, and the generous cinnamon swirl gives it a spiced flavor that's more than just surface-level. The icing adds the right amount of sweetness without veering into dessert territory. It tastes homemade-adjacent, like something your aunt might bake.

It also stores well, holding onto its moisture even after a couple of days on the counter (glass dome optional, but encouraged). The pre-portioned slices make it easy to sneak one for a mid-morning treat or pack into a lunchbox.

Packaged cinnamon swirl iced loaf cake from Marketside

Simply Recipes / Walmart

How To Enjoy Cinnamon Swirl Iced Cake

You can serve coffee cake for breakfast, dessert, or a snack at any time of day. For breakfast, I like to warm up a slice and top it with a dollop of thick Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon; the Greek yogurt provides the balance to feel like you started the day on the right foot. Pair it with a fruit smoothie or some scrambled eggs if you're feeling motivated.

For dessert, it's delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream. Crumble it into a parfait with layers of sweetened ricotta and berries. Or turn it into a base for French Toast Casserole (just slice, soak, and bake) or use it for a cinnamon-spiced bread pudding.

And of course, no matter the time of day, you have to honor the cake's destiny: Serve it with a cup of coffee. It's a classic combo that always hits the spot.

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