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.
This recipe was SO good and so, so easy to make!!!
I am glad you liked it! Thanks!
Just made the coffe cake and it turned out great!! I used whole wheat flour instead! the kids loved it!!! will DEFINITELY try again!!
This cake was very easy to do,and it stayed nice and most over night,a real big hit! I would suggest this recipe to everyone who wants something quick and easy to make.
That’s so nice of you to say! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for letting me know!
WOW! Delicious, easy! I baked mine a little longer as some of the others did. I Used a toothpick to test and when it came out clean removed. I stood over this coffee cake willing it to cool so i could slIce into but realized How crazy i looked and sat down to read. Couldnt stand it any longer and had to try it. Oh my gosh! Tender cake, sweet and chewy corners , almost brownie like edges. Perfection. A keeper for sure!
LOL..love that! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
followed your recipe! And It turned out amazing everyone loved it especially when they ate it with coffee. A perfect recipe to try. Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much! I am glad to share 🙂
my DAUGHTER and i tried to make this today for breakfast. How did You manage to spread the super thick dough on Top of the streusel layer? We had such a DIFFICULT time of it. Hopefully the taste is worth it!
It is thick, but it is spreadable 🙂 I usually use a knife to spread it around. I hope you liked the taste!
Very EASY and simple recipe. Came out exactly as pictured. Very happy with the outcome. Haven’t tasted it yet, but im sure its going to be so good.
So, glad it came out perfectly! I hope you liked the taste! Thank you!
probably the best coffee cake ive ever had and have made it several times!! everyone loves it that i make it for
I am glad they do!! It’s our favorite! Thank you for letting me know!
I literally jUst pulled mine out of the oven and sampled it. It tastes amazing! But i did have some issues (which might be caused by the changes i made), so heres what i did:
– instEad of 1 cup oil, i did 1/2 cup veggie oil and 1/2 cuP apple sauce
– i had to use a circUlar silicon pan, so i think my cake is a bIt thicker than “normal”
– when i melted the butter it looked like wayyyy too much butter, and it was… i used maybe half the AMOUNT Of butter suggested, then after baking for 30 minuteS i had to dab a bunch of butter off with a paper towEl because it was just pooling on top of my cake
– i haD to cook it for maybe 45 minutes because it was still too soft in the center (but maybe this was because of my pan).
Overall its delicious but i RECOMMEND not using that much butter. The apple sauce subsTitUtion tastes great, but i think it makes it a bit moiSt so you might need to cook for longer. 4/5 for these recipe changes, but 5/5 for taste!
Thank you for trying it!
Made this recipe multiple times for my family here in brazil. They love it and its something different for them to eat for breakfast or afternoon coffee.so simple for me to make and everyone loves it!
I am so glad you made it for your family! Happy they all loved it!
This was an easy recipe! I just pulled it out on the 25 min mark, and everything looks Right and The taste is delcious! My oven might be stronger, i will drop it down to 27 next time, bec at 20 the butter still was pooling. Thank you for this recipe!
You are so welcome! So, glad you tried it & liked it! Thank you!