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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
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.
Wish I could post my picture of it as it turned out great! Thank you! Followed directions, added drained can peaches and baked in my gas oven middle rack for at least 45 minutes. In Wisconsin
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear it turned out well and that you enjoyed the cake!
This coffee cake was super simple and very delicious! I will definitely make it again, but with one minor tweak. I wasn’t sold on the streusel topping as is. I used the correct measurements of brown sugar and butter, but the proportions seemed off to me, so I added about a half cup of flour to the mix.
Yay! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and made adjustments to your liking!
I rate this recipe stars! It easy to make and is delicious, the only thing I changed was the extract, I used maple. Next time, however, I will up the cinnamon, I almost did it, but decided to stay with the original recipe. We love cinnamon!
Oh that is a fun change to use maple extract. I bet that was yummy! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Amaze balls best recipe I have always enjoyed it . Highly recommended
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for trying it!
This turned out great! I was looking to use some milk that unexpectedly went sour and so happy I found your recipe. I added walnuts to the topping mixture and extra cinnamon. I added you to my “following” list! Looking forward to more ideas.
Walnuts would be a great addition to this recipe. And you can’t go wrong with extra cinnamon. Thanks so much for trying it!
I make this all the time exactly as written and I’ve never had an issue with it. It’s delicious and it freezes really well for quick breakfasts when I don’t have time to cook. It’s great with chopped walnuts and/or chocolate chips added to the cinnamon-sugar mixture, too.
I’m glad you like this recipe so much! I should try it with chocolate chips too. That sounds delicious!
Great recipe!!!
I was very apprehensive because the batter looked kind of gluey, and when I poured the butter on top I was concerned about the amount of liquid.
I used the high end on the butter, and I cut the streusel portion down to about 2/3rds. I cooked an additional 5-10 minutes (and I’m generally an undercooker on baked goods). Suuuuuuper moist and delicious.
Would make again. I would likely make a 1.5 recipe and do a tri-layer with the streusel.
Thanks for sharing what you did. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
I forgot to grease and or flour the pan?? I didn’t see that info in the directions? Will it ruin my coffee cake?
It says to lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan in step 3 of the recipe. The coffee cake may stick to the bottom of the pan a bit but hopefully it won’t stick too much. Let me know how it goes. Thanks so much for trying the recipe!
The coffee cake turned out just fine! It didn’t stick to the bottom, thank you 🙂
Easy to make and it tastes great!! We will be making this recipe again!!
Oh I am so glad it turned out and didn’t stick to the bottom! Thanks so much for letting me know! I appreciate it. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
So good and easy !
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I used Carbquick in place of regular flour. It has very few carbs. Also substituted Splenda for the sugar. Cut the brown sugar to 1 cup. Also reduced the oil to half a cup. I also added some toasted pecans. Everyone really liked it including myself. I must admit its really hard to spread that batter. Its so thick. I might add a little more milk next time to make that job easier. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing what you did!