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.
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 🙂