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.
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!