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With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite coffee cake recipe is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
How to Make Coffee Cake
One of our FAVORITE things to make for a breakfast or brunch get-together is coffee cake! It’s quick, buttery, and so cinnamon-y that everyone loves it.
We first had this recipe when we were younger, but it was so good, we knew it had to become a go-to and it has. 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, Breakfast Potato Casserole and Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Why We Love IT!
- Simple. The recipe comes together in no time and uses simple ingredients that most 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 moist and sweet cake has the perfect flavors of butter, cinnamon and sugar make it so tasty.
- PREP TIME: 15 MINS
- COOK TIME: 45 MINS
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs – room temperature and lightly beaten will help bind them together best with the other ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil – or use an equal amount of applesauce or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil
- 1¼ cups milk – adds moisture and helps to activate the baking soda
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – rounds out the overall flavor
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – provides the structure for the cake, measure the flour correctly for the best texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – adds sweetness and tenderness to the crumb
- 1 tablespoon baking powder – helps the cake rise to a fluffy texture
- ½ teaspoon salt – balances out the sweetness of the cake
- 1¼ cups light brown sugar – adds a deeper sweetness and a hint of caramel to the cinnamon mixture
- 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 – adds flavor and moisture and helps bind the cinnamon mixture to the cake
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 2 eggs, 1 cup oil, 1¼ cups milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, blend 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Pour half the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- STREUSEL. In a medium bowl, combine 1¼ cups packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon and mix well.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar on 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.
Complete the Meal
- SIDES. Yogurt Parfaits, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- MORE BREAKFAST CAKES. New York Crumb Cake, Cinnamon Roll Cake, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Bisquick Coffee Cake
- SERVE THIS WITH: Apple Cider, Wassail, Hot Chocolate Recipe, Breakfast Casserole, Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls
MORE COLLECTIONS. Breakfast Casserole Recipes, Breakfast Pastry Recipes, Easy Breakfast Ideas
Coffee Cake Recipe
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 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla together.
- In a medium bowl, blend flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry 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 pour 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 and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Why is it Called Coffee Cake?
- Using a spoon or spatula to mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients can help with the density. If you’re really worried, add an extra egg or a little bit more milk to thin it out and make it easier to pour.
What are the best variations?
- Fruit. Fold blueberries, diced peaches, or chopped apples into the batter. Note the liquid from the fruit may cause the cake to have a more moist texture and need to be baked longer.
- Chips + nuts. Fold some mini chocolate chips or cinnamon chips into the batter. Add sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts to the top of the cake to give it a delightful crunch.
- Drizzle a glaze over the top. Make a glaze by mixing ½ cup confectioners sugar with 1 tablespoon milk. Mix until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cake.
How to Store Coffee Cake?
- Store this easy coffee cake recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to Freeze?
- Wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.
Ways to Reheat?
- Warm in microwave for 10-second increments until warm. To heat in the oven, remove any plastic wrap then wrap in aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 350°F and heat for 6-8 minutes or until warm.
i added a cup of plain yogurt to this, and i didn’t have vanilla so i used half the amount of almond extract and it came out amazing!!! so fluffy and moist, my mom was shocked that it was from scratch. Super easy too. even my super picky little brother loved it i will definitely be making this again
Thank you for sharing what you did! That sounds perfect!
Love this recipe. It’s perfect for whipping up a quick dessert, or showing up to an occasion with a little something special.
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know!
Sooo I WAS being DUMB AND DIDN’T THINK TO ADJUST THE BAKE TIME AND TEMP EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAD A BROWNIE PAN which is much smaller than the pan in the recipe…THE BUTTER POOLED INTO the middle and the middle of the cake sank. I quickly lowered the temp, covered the cake in foil, and put it back in. I had to cook it about 3x as long as the recipe called for but I think I saved it! It’s actually pretty good, perfect to eat with coffee, and way better than any other cake I’ve attempted to make from scratch! (Disclaimer: I’m normally terrible at baking, hence the screw up with the pan size). I’ll definitely attempt this one again once I get the correct pan!
Oh, I am so sorry! I am glad you caught it & fixed it. I hope you do try again. It’s our favorite!
This is one of the easiest and tastiest cakes i have ever baked. It done in a jiffy and is very moist and buttery inspite of having oil in it . I use jaGgery instead of brodn sugar gor the streusel and half cane hakf white sugar for the batter .
Increased cooking time by 15 minutes too .
Absolutely drlicious With Coffee.
Thank you for sharing what you did! That sounds great!
I accidentally mixed butter in with brown sugar and cinnamon. Swirled it in batter. 30 minutes baking, perfect.
Love happy accidents! Thank you 🙂
I used whole wheat flour and stevia. Had to add 5 minutes bake time. Agree that Varying cook times depend on type of pan, oven, plus altitude and weather. Mine turned out perfect. Added fresh rasberries to the top. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome! Thank you for sharing that! Adding raspberries is a good idea!
Quick and incredibly delicious! Easy to halve the recipe and bake in 8×8.
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for sharing that!
AMAZING! I made it for the whole family and it was a hit! Thanks for sharing, bookmarked 🙂
Glad it was a hit! Makes me happy to hear! Thank you!
Awesome recipe easily the best coffee cake we have ever had. I added 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/2 cup softend butter to the streusel and eliminated the melted butter. I also baked it in an 8 x 11 pan so it would be taller (cooking time had to be increased).
Sounds perfect!! Thank you for sharing what you did!
This is amazing…i use vgean butter, coconut milk and vegan egg replacer and i add Chopped pecans to the brown sugar cinnamon STREUSEL. this is my favorite coffee cake recipe!!! Thank you Kristyn. Ive been baking and cOoking And this is a simole amazing recipe!
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing what you did! That sound delicious!