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.
Ingredients for homemade coffee cake on counter.
  • 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
  • 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.
  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. BAKE. Bake for 35–40 minutes and serve warm.
  • 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.
The best coffee cake recipe cut and served on a white plate.
4.99 from 2593 votes

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!
Servings: 15
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 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.
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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.
Store 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.
Reheat. 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.

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.

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.

This recipe was originally published September 2011.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.99 from 2593 votes (1,783 ratings without comment)

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1,934 Comments

  1. Chrissy Ranu says:

    5 stars
    I Used to make coFfee cake with bisquick Until i found this recipe… its Delicious!!! I will never go back to making bisquick coFfee cake again. My whole family loves it. ?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am so happy your family liked it! And, I am glad you found this recipe. Thank you!

  2. Kristin Simdorn says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and its yummy!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am glad you liked it! Thank you for letting me know 🙂

  3. Kristen Key says:

    5 stars
    I’ve never made cofee cake before, and i’ve only Tasted it Once…a very long time ago. When my Husband was asking for coffee cake for the last week or two, i didn’t know where to start. Then you posted this recipe on your IG and it was the Perfect timing!
    The cake is delicious, and reminds me of a snickerdoodle cookie. (One of my aBsolUte favorite cookies!) MY Whole family loves it, and my husband was pleasAntly surprised i woke up and made this just For him today. This is definitEly a keeper recipe, just like the Others I’ve tried on your site! Thank you!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! It does taste like a snickerdoodle! I am so happy everyone liked it!

  4. Mandi says:

    5 stars
    Seriously the best coffee cake! Had to make it GF but it worked beautifully with gluten free flours.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Good to know 🙂 Thank you for sharing that!

  5. ShellEy C says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Not dried out tasting like some coffee cake reciPes.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Happy you liked it! Thank you so much!

  6. Danielle z says:

    5 stars
    This was a Really quick and easy recipe! Batter was a littlE thick, but otherwise, delicious! I added walnuts to half. Yum! Thank yOu for sharing!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome!! Adding walnuts is perfect! Thank you!

  7. Sarah says:

    5 stars
    Mine just came out if the oven! Oh my! So Good! Thank you for the recipe.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are very welcome!! Warm coffee cake is my favorite!

  8. Kellie says:

    5 stars
    The best coffee cake. Perfect fOr holidays or anyday! We love it!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, we love it all year! Thank you!

  9. Adele p says:

    5 stars
    Working late: Been working from home – had to step away and stumbled on this gem !! Ty !!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are welcome! I am glad you stumbled across it 🙂 Hope you like it!

  10. Cara R Norris says:

    5 stars
    This was really good. I needed a coffee cake in under an hour and this delivered. my only complaint is that prep time is listed as 5 min. takes me 5 minutes just to get the ingredients out. 😉

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Oh, I am sorry..I should add a few min for getting things out. Thank you though for trying this. Glad you liked it!