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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. Sahara Zion says:

    I loved this recipe!! Just wondering if this would freeze well? How long would it keep for in there?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes! It freezes great. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

  2. Lea says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing. It is my go to dessert for the week. Totally recommend! I started to bake the cake for only 30 minutes instead of 35, because it seems to make it stay moist longer.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing what you do. So glad to hear you love the coffee cake!

  3. Hadlee says:

    I haven’t tried it out yet, but I really want to. I am wondering, is it okay to add the melted butter to the cinnamon and brown sugar mix to make it a sort of thicker glaze?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You could try it!

  4. Maria says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this recipe! I was kicking myself because I forgot to add the vanilla, but it still turned out fantastic. Will definitely be making again- next time with the vanilla lol. It was so easy to make, and my family loved it.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Glad to hear it still turned out even without the vanilla! Thanks for giving the recipe a try!

  5. Julie says:

    5 stars
    Made this for my friends to enjoy at a weekend gathering. They loved it – many requests for the recipe. Was delicious and so easy to make. Thank you for the recipe!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear the cake was enjoyed by everyone!

  6. Donna Tumolo says:

    I have made this recipe many times including cubed apples in the batter. I just love it! I recently made it again for my card group and they all went crazy for it. They all asked for the recipe which I gave them. I’m going to try the lemon lasagna for the next meeting. I’ll let you know how it goes over. Thank you for your delicious recipes!

  7. Tiff says:

    The worst! I followed every instruction and it was not fluffy at all.

  8. KW says:

    I always read reviews prior to trying any recipe for the first time. Sadly your page is so congested with ads it has deterred me from trying.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, the ads enable us to be able to always provide free content and recipes. Thanks for understanding!

  9. Diane says:

    Am I missing something? Coffee cake?? Where’s the coffee in this recipe?

    1. michelle Ryan says:

      5 stars
      Very good coffee cake.

    2. Lil'Luna Team says:

      So the cake is called coffee cake not because there is coffee as an ingredient, but because it pairs so well with coffee. People often enjoy a slice for breakfast with their morning coffee or as a pick me up. That’s where it gets its name from.

      1. Shannon says:

        5 stars
        I didn’t realize you responded to this. You can delete my reply if you want. And by the way the coffee cake is delicious!!!!

      2. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it!

    3. Shannon says:

      5 stars
      Coffee cake doesn’t have coffee in it. People usually drink it with coffee so that’s why its called that.

    4. Crystal says:

      There isn’t coffee in it; it’s called that because it’s meant to accompany coffee, like a breakfast cake.

    5. Angie Farnell says:

      It’s something often served with coffee. She explains that above.

  10. Julie Hacker says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made a few different recipes of coffee cake in the past. This is the easiest and the best. We all love it.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      That makes me so happy to hear the cake is a hit! Thank for sharing!