This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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
With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake 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 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
Make ahead of time. This cake can be baked several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave, or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
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
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.
Thank you for posting this recipe, I haven’t made coffee cake since I was a kid using jiffy mix! It is still in the oven but it smells just like i remember.
Glad you found it! Thank you for trying it & letting me know!
I read some reviews of people saying it didn’t cook well so I assumed they had a cake pan too small and the mixture was too thick. After measured up my pans I found out this is actually an oven tray dish in my country. Filled up the dish and the batter was gooey not runny. Carried on hoping for the best (I’m a noob) and cooked it for 5min extra (I used 170c instead of 176c) in my oven. Came out real tasty, moist, able to break apart, and I ate it impatiently and didn’t go ahead with icing as it was nice enough plain. Next time I’ll use 1c brown sugar (UK size) as 1.5 makes it sweet enough that I can only eat two slices but my eyes want to eat more. Thanks for the recipe I’ll definitely try it again and patiently let it cool to see if icing takes it to another level. 5/5 recipe easily.
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
I’m giving this a try, it’s in the oven as I type… is the batter supposed to be real thick? Pouring it wasn’t an option, more like scoop and spread. Oh well, itll be cake or it won’t and the fam will eat it or they won’t. 😁
Yes, it is pretty thick. Sure hope you like it! Thank you!
Amazing! This cake was gone in seconds. I am not quite sure about the comments that state this was bland. It was full of flavor.
Thank you for saying that! I couldn’t agree more!
Can I use Self Rising Flour instead of the Regular Flour.? And if I can what changes would I make to your recipe? Would I NOT put in any Baking powder and salt? Would I just leave those 2 items out of this recipe when using Self Rising Flour or is it that you’d still need to add it but just less then is called for? I apologize for these questions however I’ve a Extremely rare Malignant Inoperable Clivus Chordoma Brain Tumor and its hard for me to get out so all I have is the self rising kind. Thank you. Be blessed 2021
No problem at all. I wish I knew if you would change anything. I haven’t personally tried the self rising flour. Usually you wouldn’t want to add another leavening ingredient. You can just google the substitutions for using self rising flour.
With my adjustments the cake comes out superb every time! It only lasts a day in my house and there’s only 2 of us!
Do not sub anything for the vegetable oil either not even applesauce. You want to be healthier then you shouldn’t be making this cake!
Double the milk to 2 cups and swirl the cinnamon sugar in both layers. Bake an additional 20 minutes after removing foil. Let sit until almost cooled.
Thanks for sharing that 🙂
One of the best coffee cakes I’ve ever tasted. Super easy to make and I already had all of the ingredients on hand. I will be making this again.
That makes my day! Thank you so much for sharing that!
My coffee cake NEVER bakes right. I’ve tried different pans, I’ve tried adding the topping last. It always comes out in a gooey mess. Any tips?
I am sorry, I wish I knew. It’s so hard to know, since I am not there. I’ve never had any problems with this recipe, if you follow it, it should turn out 🙂 Good luck!
Are you using an oven dish 9×13? The batter should be spread out and become very thin. That way it cooks faster. If you have a smaller tray the batter will be thicker and take ages to cook.
This was so easy to make, and it was delicious. My father, who is picky, asked for a second helping and then wanted to take the leftovers home with him. This is a keeper, and I will be making it again!
Well, that makes my day! Thank you so much for letting me know!