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With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite coffee cake recipe is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
How to Make Coffee Cake
One of our FAVORITE things to make for a breakfast or brunch get-together is coffee cake! It’s quick, buttery, and so cinnamon-y that everyone loves it.
We first had this recipe when we were younger, but it was so good, we knew it had to become a go-to and it has. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s perfect for any occasion (even Khloe Kardashian agrees!)
We love to serve it with other breakfast casseroles and bakes like our: Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Breakfast Potato Casserole and Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Why We Love IT!
- Simple. The recipe comes together in no time and uses simple ingredients that most usually have on hand.
- Event Perfection. Whether it’s for an Easter Brunch, Christmas Breakfast, baby shower or bridal shower, this coffee cake recipe is perfect for any occasion.
- Delicious. This moist and sweet cake has the perfect flavors of butter, cinnamon and sugar make it so tasty.
- PREP TIME: 15 MINS
- COOK TIME: 45 MINS
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs – room temperature and lightly beaten will help bind them together best with the other ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil – or use an equal amount of applesauce or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil
- 1¼ cups milk – adds moisture and helps to activate the baking soda
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – rounds out the overall flavor
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – provides the structure for the cake, measure the flour correctly for the best texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – adds sweetness and tenderness to the crumb
- 1 tablespoon baking powder – helps the cake rise to a fluffy texture
- ½ teaspoon salt – balances out the sweetness of the cake
- 1¼ cups light brown sugar – adds a deeper sweetness and a hint of caramel to the cinnamon mixture
- 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 – adds flavor and moisture and helps bind the cinnamon mixture to the cake
How to Make Coffee Cake
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- BATTER. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 eggs, 1 cup oil, 1¼ cups milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, blend 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Pour half the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- STREUSEL. In a medium bowl, combine 1¼ cups packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon and mix well.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar on 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.
- BAKE. Bake for 35–40 minutes and serve warm.
Complete the Meal
- SIDES. Yogurt Parfaits, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- MORE BREAKFAST CAKES. New York Crumb Cake, Cinnamon Roll Cake, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Bisquick Coffee Cake
- SERVE THIS WITH: Apple Cider, Wassail, Hot Chocolate Recipe, Breakfast Casserole, Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls
MORE COLLECTIONS. Breakfast Casserole Recipes, Breakfast Pastry Recipes, Easy Breakfast Ideas
Coffee Cake Recipe
With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 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 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla together.
- In a medium bowl, blend flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry 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 pour 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 and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Make ahead of time. This cake can be baked several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave, or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
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.
Recipe FAQ
Why is it Called Coffee Cake?
- Using a spoon or spatula to mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients can help with the density. If you’re really worried, add an extra egg or a little bit more milk to thin it out and make it easier to pour.
What are the best variations?
- Fruit. Fold blueberries, diced peaches, or chopped apples into the batter. Note the liquid from the fruit may cause the cake to have a more moist texture and need to be baked longer.
- Chips + nuts. Fold some mini chocolate chips or cinnamon chips into the batter. Add sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts to the top of the cake to give it a delightful crunch.
- Drizzle a glaze over the top. Make a glaze by mixing ½ cup confectioners sugar with 1 tablespoon milk. Mix until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cake.
How to Store Coffee Cake?
- Store this easy coffee cake recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to Freeze?
- Wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.
Ways to Reheat?
- Warm in microwave for 10-second increments until warm. To heat in the oven, remove any plastic wrap then wrap in aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 350°F and heat for 6-8 minutes or until warm.
MORE COFFEE CAKES TO TRY:
Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
30 mins
Bisquick Coffee Cake
45 mins
Coffee Cake Muffins
40 mins
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
45 mins
How come there is no coffee used in the coffee cake
Because coffee cake is traditionally served with coffee. If I remember correctly, coffee cake was served more as something for guests to nibble on while having coffee with their hosts and not necessarily as a breakfast item, though that’s what it has become.
Oh, we love this coffee cake recipe and make it all the time. If you like this you should also check out the cinnamon roll cake – it is so good too!
Thus did not bake in 30 minutes, i took it Out and the middle was jumping around like jello, my oven Hasn’t had a problem baking anything else so I am reluctant to say that was the problem
I know that all ovens may vary in baking time, so it may take longer or it could be shorter. I hope it turned out!
The middle wasent done so i left it in longer. Very doughie in the middle did I do something wrong ?
No, ovens are all different, so some may take longer to cook. Hope it turned out!
I made THis recipe FOR the first TIMe this morning. I pulled Mine from THe Oven 32 minutes After I put it in and It was perfect. Great recipe.
I am so glad!! Thank you so much!
Great recipe but wish I had read these comments. I used a glass pan & I added so much bake time that I lost count of how long it needed to bake.
Amazing coffee cake, added some instant coffe and some sour creme. Amazing. Needed extra cook time with tin foil off but great success. Thank you
You’re welcome!! I’m glad you enjoyed the cake recipe. Thanks for sharing what you did.
How much coffee did you add? I would love to try this with coffee added but I’m not experienced enough as a baker to know how much to add or what the batter is supposed to look like!Thanks!
This recipe actually doesn’t call for any coffee in the ingredient list. It’s called coffee cake because it is yummy to dunk in or eat alongside a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. 🙂
Thanks for answering that! I was also wondering why it’s called “coffee cake” but there’s no coffee in it. Now I understand! Thank you! ????
Just made your coffee cake,added some sliced apples and blueberries, only added 10 more minutes on cake a just afew more after I took foil off..Thisis a very tasty cake although the apples have alittle crunch, still very good. Will make again!!
The apples and blueberry additions sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing what you do!
Could we use butter instead of oil in the cake recipe?
I haven’t tried swapping it out, but typically butter and oil are interchangeable, so I think it’d be just fine!
This recipe looks great! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's. I'm featuring this for my treat of the week on the link party today!
thanks so much for linking up to Tasty Tuesday! can't wait to see what you'll bring this week. http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/
Your coffee cake sounds absolutely delicious!
This made my morning smell like ChriStmas! Im down south in the Carolinas and my cake was perfecTly done at 28 minutes. Dont underestimate this thick batter. It fills out the entire 9×13 pan. I lined my pan in foil and greased it.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love this Coffee Cake recipe. We will be having it for Christmas Breakfast. It is simple, but seems like a nice fancy recipe and tastes so good.
Looking forward to baking this coffee cake for my morning book CLUB’s final meeting till next year. Hope it is WArm buttery and delicious!! Thank you!
It is!! Hope you like it!
I’ve made this twice. It’s the perfect coffee cake recipe I’ve been looking for. It tastes amazing!
So glad you like it that much! Thank you so much!
oh yum!!! Looks so delicious! Would love for you to come over and link up to my Tasty Tuesday party. http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/
Yum this looks so good! I'm a sucker for coffee cake 🙂
You always have the best posts! I now want to make a coffee cake, bake a cake and sit and watch this video over and over! LOVE this video…it's such a classic! Have a great day!Kirsten
Just had this for breakfast. We really enjoyed it. I doubled it to have one for the freezer and am so glad i did. I added nuts to the struesel just for some extra texture. Took a bit longer than 30 min for me. It was 42 min, for each one (baked individually), but my oven tends to not hold heat as well. Thanks for a yummy breakfast treat
You are so welcome!! Thank you for trying it! Good idea to make two & freeze one!
I used a bundt pan & this receipe cake turned out perfect crunchy crust as a schtruddle should be added a drizzle glaze of OJ & confection sugar … It disappeared when the family woke up tnx JC
Yay! Love when recipes disappear! Thank you!
Gotta have a re-do. Don’t know what I did wrong, but I did use a mix of ingredients. I used the rest of my turbinado sugar (3/4 cup) with the rest granulated white. Also used coconut flour instead of white. And mostly almond milk and a little oat milk. I’m guessing the chemistry and binding isn’t universal and it came out a pile of crumbles (would not “cake”) and was terribly sweet. I’m going back and sticking to the standard ingredients to give it a second batch. Fun though!
You’ll have to let us know how you enjoy the cake on your second go-around. Thanks for sharing what you did and giving the recipe a try!
I have made this twice. The first time was strictly by the recipe and the second time with apple filling. Both were fantastic!!! This is a keeper recipe! Thanks!
Thanks for the recipe. That looks scrumptious! I pinned it and I'm totally going to have to try it soon!
I ♥ the video…so cute & soooo funny!!!Thanks!♥'sSherry