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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
  • 1ยผ 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
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt balances out the sweetness of the cake
  • 1ยผ 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
  • ยผ-โ…“ 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 350ยฐF. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. BATTER. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 eggs, 1 cup oil, 1ยผ cups milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
    • In a medium bowl, blend 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ยฝ 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 1ยผ 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 ยผ-โ…“ cup melted butter over the top, using more or less as desired.
  4. BAKE. Bake for 35โ€“40 minutes and serve warm.
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4.99 from 2525 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
  • 1ยผ cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1ยผ cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ยผ-โ…“ 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 ยฝ 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 350ยฐF and heat for 6-8 minutes or until warm.

MORE COFFEE CAKES TO TRY:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ 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 2525 votes (1,783 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




1,735 Comments

  1. Lisa says:

    4 stars
    Flavor is yummy but texture was off. Not sure what I did wrong. It didnโ€™t rise much. Was oretty flat and not fluffy. Had to sub some apple sauce (1/2 c) for butter. My baking pwder may have been old. We liked the flavor but husband said he prefers crumbly topping. Ours was buttery hardened with the butter. Will try again. Any tips welcomed.

  2. Laurel says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is tried and true in my house! We love it.

  3. Gail says:

    5 stars
    This is a very delicious coffee cake and simple to make! Will add to my favorites! I did not change one thing! Thank you!

  4. Dee says:

    5 stars
    This is a favorite recipe. I love a great coffeecake and this is a great one to make!

  5. Carol says:

    5 stars
    This is my go to for every holiday breakfast. The buttery flavor mixed with cinnamon is the best. I use to buy a special “coffee cake” for the holidays but no more since I tried this rich buttery cinnamon recipe!!! So quick and easy to make.

  6. Carissa says:

    5 stars
    My kids live this coffee cake. I like to make it as jumbo muffins for a grab and go breakfast.

  7. Gail Denlinger says:

    I just made your coffee cake and it is delicious! Several who happened to be here enjoyed it also!
    Iโ€™m trying to find how to rate it so I can be entered in your giveaway but canโ€™t find where to rate it!
    Thanks for all the great recipes! Your family looks so happy and fun!
    God bless you!

  8. Lynn Cronk says:

    CORRECTION: Although we love your scone recipe, my previous comment was supposed to be for this Coffee Cake. I also vary this recipe by adding a little fruit & nuts.
    Very good and very easy!

  9. Lynn Cronk says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a must in my house. They are so easy to make and you can add different fruit & nuts to make different variations. They are all SO good!
    We don’t have to worry about leftovers, there never is any!
    We LOVE these scones!

  10. Susana Zinn says:

    5 stars
    Easy delicious moist cake. I made it with almond milk. Will make it again for sure!