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.
Recipe is tasty but the baking time is wRong – i had to bake it for about 45 min. Center was liquid at 25.
I love the crunch at the top.
Thanks!
Thank you for trying it 🙂
This was fabulous! I Made it for mother’s day and it was a huge hit. My only issue is that it’s a bit crumbly which makes it difficult to get out of the pan or plate.
Glad you tried it!! Thank you so much 🙂
Have made this recipe many times, and it always a hit. It is very rich, which makes it special..Now I double the recipE and share the extra. You DEFINITELY have a winner in this one, Kristyn. Thanks for sharing.
Awe, thank you so much! That’s so nice of you!
I do not use “oils” to bake with. Do you have any ideas of what I could use in place of the oil? If I were to substitute real butter, I’m sure I would use less than 1 whole cup in this recipe, right? Maybe I could mix butter with coconut oil?? Otherwise, I have no ideas. Help!
I personally have not replaced the oil with another ingredient. I would honestly google what good substitutes would be, because each ingredient may suggest using less of something else & you may have to adjust the recipe.
Fallow your recipe to a T, it came out perfect
I am happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know!
okay, I made this recipe twice (at the same time) because I have a 15 year old and my hubby who both like coffee cake and I wanted some too LOL!
The first batch I did was really thick…so I didn’t even try to do two layers…I just did one layer, spread it out in the pan, sprinkled the brown sugar/cinnamon mix evenly across the top…then took a spoon and just did rows of melted butter on top.
The second batch I tried to layer it…kind of thin for the layers since the batter is very thick….but I wanted to try it the way it was written too. the 2nd batch i layered with the strussel topping, and then the rest of the batter and then the rest of the top mixture with butter.
Between the two cakes…the first one was the best. The batter will be super thick….so spread out your batter in a 9×13 pan, put the brown sugar mixture over the top, use a spoon and just do rows of melted butter till its all gone. cook at least 30 minutes.
the 2nd cake where i layered like the recipe stated was very very gooey in the middle. my hubby cut out the edge pieces which were essentially cooked….but that left like 6 pieces very gooey…i turned the oven back on and I probably cooked those an additional 15-20 minutes on top of the original 26 minutes…
so my suggestion is to just layer your entire pan with the batter, toppings and cook 30-40 minutes and you should have a perfect cake. (I used glass dishes for both).
This cake is absolutely scrumptious and its in my keep forever pile. Very easy to make and besides the 2nd one being gooey…I knew the first one was tasty/good so its just about finding a way to make it work for you. Try my suggestions and see if that helps the gooeyness. For reference both cakes tasted the same whether it was a solid batter OR layered like listed 🙂
Made this yeSterday and it came out perfect. No changes to the Recipe. Yes the batter is thick but a rubber spatula And a spoon made it very easy to spread the batter out in the diSh. Taste great reheated in the microwave for a few seconds. Thanks for sharing the recipe?
You are so welcome! I am so glad you liked it!! Thank you for saying that!
The batter was super thick. I had to thin it out a lot. It baked well. Next time i will add less brown sugar (very sweet) and less butter too. Otherwise a keeper recipe.
Thank you for trying it!
Loved this recipe. Will be using it again anD again. Thank you
You are so welcome! Happy you liked it!
just made this tonight! So so good! 100% recommend!
Thank you so much for recommending it!! Happy you liked it!