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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
It’s absolutely perfect!!! Besides being DELICIOUS, it’s also foolproof.
Thank you so much for sharing that!!
I just need to clarify: You mix the butter with the Brown sugar and cinnamon?
4) In a medium bowl, prepare streusel by combining brown sugar and cinnamon.
5) Sprinkle half of streusel on top of the batter. Top with remaining batter and then sprinkle the remaining streusel on top.
No, you sprinkle half the streusel on top of half the batter, then pour remaining batter on top, then sprinkle the rest of the streusel & drizzle melted butter over the top. Hope that makes sense 🙂 Hope you like it!
I have made this recipe many many times it is so awesome. easy and super tasty.
I had misplaced my recipe and found was so happy every year for Oct
ober and novemberi make this great recipe.
Oh, thank you for saying that!! It is super easy & one of our favorites!
For the people who comment that it has no coffee in the coffee cake that’s because coffee cake was originally made to be eaten with your coffee. It does not traditionally have any coffee in it.
Thanks Sally!
So easy!!! My kitchen smells like Christmas!!! Thank you!!!
Best smell ever!! Thank you so much!!
THIs had good flavor but I had to bake it longer to get it done and ended up BEing on the crumbly/dryer side but still tasted good. It probably baked more like 35-40 minutes because it was still wet in the middle. It was tasty though
Thank you for trying it. Yes, all cooking times will vary, depending on ovens, but I am glad you liked the taste!
Girl…I honestly never give reviews on recipes or leave comments….but I made this tonight and added chopped apples to the batter. It is so. Freaking. Good. Thanks so much for bringing this into my life. ❤
WOW!! Thank you so much for leaving a review 🙂 I am so glad you liked it & I’ll have to try adding apples!
Made this last night. When I tried it warm out of the oven, I thought it was good but maybe needed a little something. After trying another piece this morning though after letting it sit overnight, I must say it is a pretty darn perfect coffee cake! Moist, buttery, cinnamony. Reminds me of the little cinnamon streusel cakes that I love so much! Look forward to experimenting by adding something like orange or maple extract to the batter, and putting almonds or pecans in the middle or sprinkled on top, just to mix things up. This is a great base recipe for anything you might like to try, and perfectly delicious just the way it is. I do a lot of baking and almost never take the time to leave a review, but this one deserves it! Love this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing :)))
Thank you so much for leaving a comment 🙂 I appreciate it! Yes, you can add all kinds of things, that’s what I love! Thank you for trying it & letting me know!
While my whole family agreed this recipe was delicious, everyone felt sick after just one brownie-sized piece. If you struggle with intensely sweet things for breakfast, I’d recommend halving the brown sugar, butter and slightly reducing the oil and white sugar.
Absolutely a delicious coffee cake, but this is more dessert than breakfast.
Thanks so much for trying it. I am glad your family likes it 🙂 Thanks again!
THIS is the best and easiest coffee cake I have ever made. It is so simple! I was a little nervous about putting all the melted butter on during the final step but it made the edges so nice and crispy. This recipe is a keeper and I’m glad I found your site while searching on Google.
Yay!! Love to hear that! I am glad you found it 🙂 Thank you so much!!