Coffee Cake Recipe

Coffee Cake Ingredients and Substitutions

• 2 large eggs – We find that eggs at room temperature and lightly beaten will help them incorporate best with the other ingredients
• 1 cup vegetable oil – or an equal amount of applesauce or melted coconut oil
• 1¼ cups milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour – Measure the flour correctly for the best texture. Gluten-free baking flour also works well in this recipe.
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1¼ cups light brown sugar – This adds a deeper sweetness and a hint of caramel to the cinnamon mixture; dark brown sugar can also be used.
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon – easily adjust the flavor by adding spices like nutmeg, allspice, or Pumpkin Pie Spice to the cinnamon sugar streusel
• ¼-⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted – Adds flavor and moisture and helps bind the cinnamon mixture to the cake.
• optional fruit – fold about 1½ cups of blueberries or chopped apples into the batter; increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes if needed.
• optional crunchy topping – We sometimes like to add sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts to the top of the cake to give it a delightful crunch.

How to Make Coffee Cake

1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. BATTER. In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
   • Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Pour half the cake batter into the prepared baking dish.
3. STREUSEL. In a medium bowl, combine packed brown sugar and cinnamon and mix.
   • Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar evenly over the top of the batter in the pan. Carefully pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar layer. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.
   • Drizzle ¼-⅓ cup melted butter over the top, using more or less as desired.
4. BAKE. Bake for 35–40 minutes and serve warm.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

• While this cake is often served alongside coffee or tea, hence its name, we like to serve it with other favorite warm drinks like hot chocolate & apple cider.
• Our favorite way to more easily spread the thick batter over the cinnamon sugar layer is to first drop dollops evenly across the surface, then gently spread each dollop using a silicone spatula.
• For an easy variation, we fold about 1½ cups of blueberries, chopped strabwerries or chopped apples into the batter. Depending on your oven, you may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
• If you want to double or triple the recipe, we recommend baking each batch in its own 9×13 pan.

4.99 from 2591 votes

Coffee Cake Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake recipe is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!

Servings: 15

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 40 minutes mins

Total: 55 minutes mins

Equipment

• 9×13 baking dish

Video

Ingredients 

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• ▢ 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ▢ 1 cup vegetable oil
• ▢ 1¼ cups milk
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ¼-⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, blend flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the flour ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Pour half the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
• Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar on top of the batter. Carefully spread the remaining batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
• Drizzle the melted butter over the top, using more or less as desired.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, and serve warm.

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Notes

Recipe Tips.

• While this cake is often served alongside coffee or tea, hence its name, I like to serve it with other favorite warm drinks like hot chocolate & apple cider.
• To more easily spread the thick batter over the cinnamon sugar layer, first drop dollops evenly across the surface, then gently spread each dollop using a silicone spatula.
• For an easy variation, fold about 1½ cups of blueberries or chopped apples into the batter. Depending on your oven, you may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
• If you want to double or triple the recipe, we recommend baking each batch in its own 9×13 pan.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or wrapped with plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat. Small portions can be heated in the microwave for 10-second increments until warm. To heat in the oven, remove any plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 350°F and heat for 6-8 minutes or until warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 264kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 101mg, Potassium: 175mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 161IU, Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 88mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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This recipe was originally published September 2011.