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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
I’M ATTEMPTING THIS RECIPE NOW IN A GLUTEN FREE VERSION…. MY BATTER WAS MORE DOUGHY THEN IT SHOULD BE BUT I’M HOPING THE TASTE FACTOR COMES THROUGH…. I’VE MADE THIS VERSION NON GLUTEN FREE AND IT TURNED OUT AMAZING….
I sure hope it does! Let me know!
I love your recipes,it that so flour or self rising
Flour 🙂 Thank you so much!!
Made this recipe for famIly and friends over the weekend. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. Thanks for posting sUch a delicious cake recipe that is very easy to make!
You are so welcome!! I am so glad it was a hit! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
This turned out so well!! I’ve made this recipe twice now and my cake has turned out perfect each time. thank you so much!!!!!!!
I love to hear that!! Thank you!
agree with others that the batter was very thick. “Spread” would be a better description of what you have to do to get it in the pan! BUT… This Recipe really saved me in a pinch when my husband told me on sunday morning we needed to take breakfast with us to share with our sunday school class. mine turned out just like the picture which is rare.
in the future, i would make sure to use unsalted butter on top because i thought it was really salty. no one else seemed to mind and it got eaten right up!
Thank you for sharing that!
I’m the chief cook, baker and dishwas in the home. I’m alwaYs looking for new things to make. Found this recipe and it was so good i made it twice in a row. But i get bored easily so then made a differenT coffee cake.
BoY, did i hear it from my wife! “Why did you change? I really liked that other one…”
#3 is just getting done in the oven now.
Sigh….
It is very yummy!
Sorry! Something strange is going on when i Typed my comment. Of course i meant to type “dishwasher” and i have no explanation for the rogue capitalizations.
One other thing: I also added some chopped nuts (about 1/2 cup?) and about a tablespoon of flour to the cinnamon mixture. I also added more cinnamon than in the recipe because like cheese and garlic, who measures?
LOL!! Love to hear that!! Thank you for sharing what you did 🙂 Glad she likes it!
i wanted to post my EXPERIENCE with this recipe since at first I didn’t think it would work. Once the dough was mixed it was very thick. So thick that i was convinced i hadn’t added the milk but when i looked at the measuring cup i saw milk so I confirmed i had. the recipe said “pour the dough” but i had to spread it with a spoon. it was so thick that i could not spread it well in a larger pan, so i used a 9×9″. also i was out of cinnamon so i used apple pie spice. due to smaller size pan i did not use all the streusal topping but poured all the melted butter on top. it appeared to be pooling as some readers commented but i put it in the oven and expected poor results. amazing! it turned out perfectly. i was taking it to a meeting and the people loved it. my reason for posting is to reassure anyone who has the same EXPERIENCES that mine turned out great. i would DESCRIBE this as a “dump cake” recipe — very easy and the flavors and textures are good.
Thank you so much for sharing that, Janet!! Apple pie spice sounds good! I am so glad it turned out!
This coffee cake was delicious. It was a bit thick to pour half batter into pan, top, then add the second day half- but it Came out moist and scruptious. Will make again. THANKS!
I am so glad to hear that!! Thank you for trying it & for letting me know 🙂
I’m another kitchen dweller, but six kids! Oh my i can only imagine! Enjoy your posts!
It can be crazy, but fun 🙂 Thank you so much!!
Loved it! easy to make and so delicious.
Thank you for sharing that! Glad you liked it!