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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.
I had just started baking and been trying many recipes for cakes to have with my coffee and this is the most perfect one I have tried so far! Very moist and just the right amount of sweetness that compliments my bitter coffee. I think this will be a constant.
Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear the recipe was a hit and that it’ll be a good companion to your coffee. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
We had a craving for something sweet and this sounded like it would hit home and omg it knocked it out if the park! Soooooo moist and sweet!! Recipe saved for future hankerings!!
Yes!! I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I made your recipe this morning and it was FANTASTIC I replaced the sugar with Stevia and Monkfruit and it worked great.
The only advice I have for you is to stop some of the ads that are so distracting. Especially frustrating was watching your video of making the coffee cake which is interrupted by an ad, then after the ad, it goes to another recipe not finishing the coffee cake recipe or the next recipe. The ads do this on every recipe. You have a very nice site and I understand making money on your site by allowing ads, but try doing it with other means and not so much jumping out at your visitors it’s a real turn-off. Just my thoughts, and thanks for a GREAT recipe.
Thanks so much for your feedback. We appreciate your thoughts. And glad you enjoyed the recipe too!
Perfectly moist and scrumptious. I’m so happy I found this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome!! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the cake recipe!
Such a awesome recipe , the butter you drizzle on top is just delicious 😋.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the cake!!
hi,
what baking dish size did you use?
thank you
I used a 9 X 13.
Making cake now without foil hope it turns out🤞🤞🤞
Fingers crossed!!
I thought this was excellent! Yes, there will be a some pooling while baking but then as the cake cools, it crisps up the brown sugar mixture on top. I stuck a knife in the middle before I took it out to make sure it was done because it can be hard to tell.
If you say this came out like a biscuit, well, you did something wrong. If you gave it less stars because it wasn’t healthy, well shame on you! No, it’s not healthy. It’s very indulgent and VERY good! We followed the recipe to a T! Don’t leave reviews after changing the recipe or not knowing how to adjust a recipe for high altitude baking.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the coffee cake! Thanks for giving it a try. 🙂
WOW!! The best coffee cake ever! The instructions were clear. Once I took the aluminum foil off and baked it for 10 more minutes I felt that it needed a bit more time so I baked it for a further 5 minutes. Turned out fantastic!
Yay!! So so happy to hear you loved the cake! Thanks for giving it a try.
No issue here with pools of butter and I used the full 1/2 cup. In fact, I love that idea! It gave it a crisp caramelized top, making it a one of a kind coffee cake. Two enthusiastic thumbs up fine holiday fun.
Aw, thank you!! So glad the cake turned out. Thanks for sharing!!
This coffee cake recipe is our family’s favorite and we have been making it for ourselves; as well as guests for many years now. Have you ever tried making it the night before, covering; then baking the next morning? I see lots of “make ahead” coffee cake recipes, but this is our favorite. We are wanting to have it prepped so we can simply put it in the oven for early morning guests. Would love your thoughts on this. Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear you love the cake recipe! Thank you! You know, I haven’t made this one overnight so I’m not sure if it would work. My only concern would be the baking powder not working properly as when it’s baked right after mixing. But, you certainly could give it a try and see how it works! Might be worth experimenting with and seeing, especially if it does turn out well. 🙂 You’ll have to let us know!