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 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!