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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!

Slice of coffee cake on 4 white stacked plates.

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.
Coffee cake brown sugar topping mixed together in bowl.
  • 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
  • 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
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How to Make Coffee Cake

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. BAKE. Bake for 35–40 minutes and serve warm.
4.99 from 2538 votes

Coffee Cake Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
Servings: 15
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 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

  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.
  • 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.

MORE COFFEE CAKES TO TRY:

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.99 from 2538 votes (1,783 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




1,761 Comments

  1. Shala says:

    5 stars
    I made it and the butter pooled on top and did not cook the middle, I put it in for another 13 minutes with hopes of it being cooked without burning the edges!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Oh, no, I’m sorry. I haven’t had that happen..I wonder what made it do that? How did it turn out after cooking longer?

      1. Steph says:

        What type of 9×13 pan did you use? I used glass 9×13 & it needed to cook much longer & had so much pooling butter/squishy areas. It was still yummy but I’m wondering what will happen if I use a different pan.

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I use a glass as well. You may just need to leave it in longer or you can totally use a different pan 🙂

  2. Lupité says:

    Hello. I would like to know if I can change margerine for butter? thanks

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, of course 🙂 Hope you like it!

  3. Janina says:

    5 stars
    Made it and it was delicious!!! Thanks for the recipe! Do you know how well it freezes if I wanna save a batch to serve later on?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You know, I haven’t tried freezing this. I would think it should be ok. We love it so much, that we never have any left, but I should double it & try it myself.

  4. Peter says:

    I combined the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter to make the streusel (I also added a teaspoon of ground ginger). That way the butter is throughout the coffee cake and no risk of the drizzled butter pooling on top. It’s just about to come out of the oven but it looks and smells amazing.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I hope you liked it!! Let me know 🙂

      1. Peter says:

        5 stars
        It turned out great! I will probably add more ground ginger next time but coworkers loved it!

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        YAY!!

  5. Elizabeth says:

    5 stars
    Can’t wait for the Christmas season to roll around, these are perfect for that time of year!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, it’s a great Christmas morning recipe!!

  6. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    Coffee cake has been a favorite breakfast treat of mine for as long as I can remember, and this quick recipe makes it even easier to make! Thank you so much, I can’t wait to try it out. YUM!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Oh, it’s our favorite! I agree with you! Hope you like this recipe! Thank you!

  7. Harrison MacInnis says:

    5 stars
    I made this the other night when I was bored, and my family devoured it so fast we were out the next day. IT IS DELICIOUS and I am already surprising it for my family again!!! Can’t wait to eat this yummy treat again!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Awe, I love to hear that!! Thanks so much for letting me know!

  8. Brenda says:

    5 stars
    I love the Quick Coffee Cake recipe! I’ve made it many times. I do have one suggestion for anyone that the batter turns out too thick. I use 3 eggs instead of 2, makes the batter just right.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thanks Brenda! Hope that helps anyone that has problems with the batter.

      1. Nina says:

        5 stars
        So easy to make and sooo JUICY! Disappeared before it could get cold! ?

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That’s what I love to hear!! Thank you so much!

  9. Jackie says:

    5 stars
    I didn’t have any milk but really wanted a coffee cake for breakfast so I substituted the equivalent amount of milk with coffee. It’s really good! Definitely going to make it just like this again.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      There ya go!! Glad you liked it! Thank you so much!

  10. Liz says:

    5 stars
    I have made 3 of these coffee cakes in the last 2 days, absolute winner and so easy !

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Yay!!! We love this recipe!! I love hearing that! Thank you so much!!