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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
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
Nutrition
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.
So many comments about taking longer to bake makes me wonder if people are not pre-heating their ovens since it is not mentioned in the instructions. Would make a world of difference especially with a cool glass pan being used!
What kind of pan should I use? I see comments about a glass pan not working as well. What should I do different with a glass pan? It’s the only kind I have.
I use glass & have no issues 🙂
I made this recipe yesterday and it was an absolute hit! Everything about was great! I substituted sugar for monk fruit Sweetener and reduced it to 3/4 cup as I believe it is sweeter than regular sugar. The dough is super thick but i was able to spread it. Family loved it and I will definitely make it many more times!!! Thank you!
You are so welcome! I am glad you tried it! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
This was so good!!!! Oh so good!!! I made the mistake of baking it in a casserole dish. So it took an extra 20 minutes. Now my house smells amazing and my wife and kids already have breakfast made. I’m going to make this again as soon as we are able to go back to temple…. I’m going to check out some more of you stuff too! Thanks again,
Scott
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! I am so glad it was a hit! I hope you find some more yummy recipes to try!
It a great recipe and it tastes delicious. It does take much longer to bake in a convect oven vs. conventional (at least double the time). If your oven has double setting I hig sugge using conventio for this recipe.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing that!
Can you make half a recipe and put in 8 x 8 pan?
I personally have not, but, yes you can 🙂
Hi Krystyn, LOve this recipe! We moved from the states to Croatia and there is nothing like this on our island. Made is for my husband two weeks ago and he loved it. Making it tomorrow morning to take to coffee hour at a friend’s house. It will be warm and fragrant when I carry it into her house. thank you for the recipe…it is t great recipe!
A coffee cake not having any coffee ingredient, now that got my attention. I’m looking forward to trying out this quick and delicious cake and enjoying it with my Rasa coffee.
I hope you do try it & like it! It is my favorite 🙂
It’s a huge hit! I’ve made this 4 times now. The first time i only had olive oil, i didn’t like it that much, but my son who doesn’t care for sweet things loved it. the pan was emptied with no problem. the second time i made it i took it to work on the weekend for all to enjoy. another big hit. so many thank yous. I just made again yesterday and though it is very sweet, i brought home another empty pan. now today I made it again with a bit less sugar and am taking it to work for my lab crew to enjoy. Great recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
You are so welcome! Sounds like you are sharing it with many people, so thank you! Glad you like it!
Your recipe looks yummy. I tried it out and it came out beautifully, not too sweet and very easy to make. I used Baileys Original Coffee. Thank you for the recipe
You are so welcome! I am so glad you liked it! It’s a go-to around here 🙂
Mine came out beautifully , not too sweet and very easy to make. Thank you for the recipe ?
You are so welcome!! So happy it turned out! Thank you!