Table of Contents
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, 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
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°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, 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.
Video
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.
More Like This
Breakfast Cakes
New York-Style Crumb Cake
45 mins
Cinnamon Roll Cake
40 mins
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
45 mins
Bisquick Coffee Cake
45 mins
Collections
This recipe was originally published September 2011.
THIS IS SO YUMMY!!!!!!!!! I made this for my niece’s birthday breakfast, and we are both over the moon (luna? :-)! we added chopped pecans to the streusel and a little extra cinnamon to the batter (we love cinnamon), and it came out amazing. based on the other reviews, i added a little extra milk and the batter poured and spread beautifully. I was a little worried because the level of batter was so thin for each of the two layers, but it came out perfectly. just enough batter to hold the streusel layers together. 😀 we baked in a dark metal pan and it was ready in 32 minutes. Thanks for such a fantastic recipe, Kristyn! i’ll definitely be making this again! (and you made my niece very happy on her birthday 🙂
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for sharing all of that! Happy it was a hit!
this recipe perfect and amazing. the cake was sweet, moist and delicious. definitely recommend this recipe a lot and will be making this again in the future. i love the cinnamon sugar flavor with the dense yet fluffy cake. loved it.
Awe, I am so glad!! Thank you!
Thank you for this easy recipe! I’ve made several variations but the original is My favorite! I’ve tried it GF using Pamela’s AP flour, turned out great. Yesterday I made it GF AND dairy free, replacing the melted butter with melted coconut oil. Also turned out great. Trying to accommodate colleague’s dietary restrictions can be challenging so it’s a win when the coffee cake is still delicious with the substitutions! Btw, this has become the new ‘Christmas morning” breakfast for us! Hubby asks for this over and over!
Awesome! Love all the things you’ve tried! Thank you for sharing that!
Amazing recipe!! BeSt coFfee cake ever made. Super delish!!
Awe, thank you!! Happy you think so 🙂
Your recipe is divine! No need to evER look elsewhere for a delicious cInnamon streusel coffee cake!
Awe, thank you so much!! So happy you liked it!
Wow! I thought my wife made great coffee cake aNd she dId! My daughter made this for me for Fathers day! It is the best i havE ever Eaten. She now shared the recipe with me. A great 2020 Fathers Day! Thank you for posting and Sharing. I can’t wait to make your recipe! LJG
Awe, that makes me so happy! Thank you so much! Tell your daughter thank you for trying it, for me 🙂
Your steps are a bit confusing—would love for you to separate the streusel layer ingredients. i goofed and added the 1.5 cups of brown sugar to the cake batter.
I’m sorry that happened. In the instructions, the brown sugar isn’t listed in the cake part, so I’m sorry it got added.
SO GOOD AND SO SIMPLE! I MAKE IT OFTEN!
Glad to hear!! Thanks!
HI i accidentally added a full stick of butter instead of half of it since i halved the recipie is it a big problem?
How did it turn out? I wasn’t sure how that would change the recipe.
it was sure yummy!!