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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
After drizzling the melted butter on top of the streusel, I put it in the oven and baked it. When I took it out the butter was just sitting on top and making it really soggy. Was there something I did wrong?
At 25 minutes that is what mine was like with the butter pooling a little on the top. I added 5 minutes more baking time and at the 30 minute mark it was perfectly fine! Can’t wait to dig in tomorrow!
Do you think I could make this recipe but pour it into a muffin pan to make coffee cake muffins? 🙂
I’ve never tried it but I think it would work! I would just decrease the cooking time. I’ll have to give it a try myself and let you know how it goes. 😉
You should be able to but you’ll definitely need to adjust the baking time and temp
I followed your recipe exactly but found that batter was kind of thick. It was hard to pour the second half and spread it out. So I just swirled it with a butter knife to make it marbled cake. It is in the oven now. Hope it turns out well
I had the same problem just now when I mixed it up following the recipe exactly. Would love to know if anyone else had this problem.
Had this issue as well. Mines in the oven so fingers crossed it turns out.
It isn’t a runny batter, so it should be ok! Let us know! Thank you!
Happy to say it did in fact turn out great! Though next time I make it I think ill just swirl the first half of cinnamon brown sugar through the batter and top with the other half. So delicious! Glad I found this recipe! Thanks 🙂
Oh, thank you so much!! So glad!!
Was it a dough like thick texture cause I got the same if so
It sounds so easy! definitely gonna try. One question only, can I use whole wheat flour?
Hello. I baked your quick coffee cake for breakfast this morning and it was gorgeous! So quick and easy, too. This will become a regular for me now – can imagine this with blueberries or peaches mixed in. Just wanted to let people know it tastes as great as it looks.
I LOVE to hear that!! And I’ve never thought of adding fruit but that sounds divine… looks like I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
This may be a silly question, but can you use butter instead? I don’t use margarine at all in cooking because of the hydrogenated oils.
I think butter would be just fine! 😀
I used butter and it was fabulous!
Amazing Coffee Cake, I’m having a piece now with my coffee. My husband loves it and has requested that I make one for him to take to work in the morning. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Oh, I LOVE to hear that!! It’s definitely my favorite Coffee Cake recipe! If he likes it you’ll also have to try the Cinnamon Roll Cake (it’s our other favorite!) Thx for stopping by. XO
Can you bake this in a loaf pan?
I haven’t tried, so honestly, I don’t know for sure. One way to find out 😉
Based on the volume and area, I wouldn’t recommend it. It will have to bake longer (since a loaf pan is deeper) so I would cover it for at least 15 – 20 minutes to make sure it bakes evenly.
I made this bread it is super easy and sooo sooo good…
It’s definitely one of my favorites! SO glad you like it too. 🙂
I like my coffee cake less dense and more fluffy. So I added a half cup more milk to the recipe. Came out out perfect!!! Yummy!!!
Thanks for sharing what you did!
Delicious!
I reduced the melted butter to one and a half sticks but otherwise fOllOwed the recipe. Super yummy!
Shouldn’t it only be 1 stick of butter according to the recipe? 1 stick = 1 cup
It is just 1/2 cup of butter 🙂
Glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing that!
Love the cinnamon roll cake 🙂