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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.
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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

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 2531 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

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

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.99 from 2531 votes (1,783 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




1,747 Comments

  1. Kathryn says:

    So delicious! I had a hard time layering it, so I ended up just kind of swirling it together 😂 It turned out great!

  2. Daisy says:

    Unfortunately, these were not my favorite. The quantity of vegetable oil gives it a chemical oily taste and the dough was more biscuity than cake.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the honest feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

  3. J says:

    4 stars
    Cinnamon topping was flavourful! But the batter was very dense and thick. Had to add some extra milk to be able to spread it properly for first layer.
    I do believe the batter itself could use a little extra something for added flavour. Tasted too much like plain vanilla cake with cinnamon sugar topping. But still tasted good!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

  4. Cecily Mae says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe tons of time since I found it. It’s easy, there’s not a lot of steps, and it tastes absolutely delicious!

  5. Tina bria says:

    5 stars
    I’m going to give this a 5 star for now. Since I messed up the filling. For some reason I thought I read brown sugar and butter (melted) as the filling and the topping. Let’s see how it turns out!

  6. Lori says:

    I should’ve known when I saw 1 cup of oil and no butter in the recipe that it wasn’t going to be buttery. My bad. Won’t be making this again.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      There is a drizzle of butter on the top, but yes, this recipe has no butter in the batter. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!

  7. Darlene says:

    5 stars
    My husband loved it! We got the recipe from a friend who had made it when we had joined for a Sunday brunch. He liked it so much I had to try it once I got home.
    I used different baking dishes so it took a bit more time, and ended up with a higher cake, but it’s yummy through and through. Lots of cinnamon just like my husband likes it and the crust was nice and crunchy!

  8. Addison says:

    Pretty good cake, wont cook.
    It claimed to cook this coffee cake for 35-40 minutes, mine has been in the oven three hours and is still not done. The cake tastes interesting, and the top is good but wont harden. I hope this was helpful.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

  9. Diane Westerman says:

    I AM GOING TO TRY YOUR RECIPE AND TRY TO ALTER IT TO MY CAKE. I CAN’T FIND MY RECIPE FOR “COFFEE COFFEE CAKE.” IT HAD 3 PARTS. THE CAKE, THE CRUMBLE AND THE SWIRL. I THINK EACH HAD COFFEE IN IT. YOU WOULD MAKE EACH AND THE SWIRL WAS DRUG THROUGH THE BATTER. IT WAS SOOO GOOD. I’LL TRY YOURS AND SEE IF I CAN’T REMEMBER EVERYTHING, BUT IT MAY WORK. I’LL LET YOU KNOW.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  10. Reese says:

    5 stars
    very easy to make, and i was surprised how little ingredients and how easy it was! all coffee cake batter is hard to spread, so I wasn’t surprised when it was like that. I was a little worried that the crumble top and filling wouldn’t be enough, but it was! so delicious and easy!
    highly recommend