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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
Absolutely delicious, easy and had everything on hand! While making the recipe I wasn’t paying attention and used a loaf pan by accident instead of a 9×13. Needless to say, I found myself questioning the amount of butter used for “drizzling” as it was more like a butter lake. As if that wasn’t enough to double check the recipe, I looked in on my coffee cake at the 25 and 30 min mark and it was still well under done. Once my brain finally kicked in I vaguely remembered seeing “9×13” at some point and re-read the recipe. Oops! I scooped out a lot of my butter lake realizing the drizzle for a 9×13 isn’t quite what one needs for a loaf pan. 1 hour into cooking it still wasn’t set. I covered the top with foil since the streusel was on the verge of burning and another 15-20 mins later it was ready. After a short semi-cooling period both in the pan and out of the pan my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this! Like for real, it’s great. I will never look for another coffee cake recipe. My husband and I ate our cake with coffee, as you do, and I’m thinking back at my snafus…maybe I should have had some coffee before making the recipe as well. 😉 Bottom line: if you accidentally (or purposely) use a loaf pan, you won’t be disappointed. It’s amazing. Just recommend using (at most) half the butter, keep an eye on your topping in the oven and don’t expect to eat it anytime soon. Thanks for the recipe Lil’ Luna!
LOL…well, that is good to know! I am so glad you both liked it!! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Delicious, Delicious, Delicious!!!
My kids and I just made this!! It is sooooo good and moist. We did have to cook it about 30-35 mins but we have a gas stove so maybe that makes a difference. I just kept checking it with a knife in the center. Love this recipe ?
Thank you so much for sharing that!! I am so happy to hear it was a hit 🙂
Found this recipe by googling “easy coffee cake,” as I’m not much of a baker, but am sick of the supermarket’s substandard bakery offerings. I loved how this only required ingredients I already had on hand, and I didn’t have to break out the mixer or do anything fancy. Like many other posters, I found I had to cook this a little longer to get done in the center (I took mine out at 31 minutes, and it maybe could have gone a minute or two longer).
Definitely a keeper of a recipe; I’m going to try some of the fruit versions i see in the comments–this seems infinitely adaptable. I also love that your mother made this for you when you came back from summer camp–what a lovely and loving thing to do. I also love how patient and kind you are with comments asking about something you’ve already covered in your original blog post. Thank you (and my husband thanks you) for this great recipe!
I am so glad you found it & tried it!! Thank you so much for sharing that. Glad you like it!
This looks so moist and Delicious! My daughter saw the video and wants to make it! I can’t wait to try it! I love your recipes!
Would this recipe work to Prepare aHead of time and refrigerate before baking?
I haven’t tried, but it should 🙂
Just made this and it was a hit with my family. I just added 5 minutes to the baking time based on some reviews. Looking forward to making this again for my coworkers.
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing that!
Turned out amazing!! Everyone loved it! Gonna try the cinnamon roll cake next! Thank you!
Yay!! Glad to hear! Thank you so much!!
This coffee cake is so amazing!!! My family loved it!
My mom always called this breakfast cake and i was always excited to wake up and find it waiting. Your recipe rivals hers and Is a new favorite.
This looks incredibly delicious! This couldn’t look any more perfect!