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.
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!