One of our FAVORITE things to make for a breakfast or brunch get-together is this coffee cake recipe! It’s quick, buttery, and so cinnamon-y that everyone loves it.
This was my favorite recipe when I was younger and I’d ask my mom to make it for my birthday because it was that good. Since then, we have made a few modifications but it is now a family favorite that gets made every month. 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 or Breakfast Potato Casserole.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Simple. The recipe comes together in 15 minutes and uses simple ingredients that most people 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 tender and sweet cake has the perfect butter, cinnamon, and sugar crumb topping, making it so tasty.
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
- 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 eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, granulated 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Coffee Cake Recipe
With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake recipe is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 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.
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.
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
How to store coffee cake?
Store leftovers 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.
How to reheat coffee cake?
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.
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This recipe was originally published September 2011.
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!!