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 started making your coffee cake when we were housebound due to the pandemic. It is THE BEST COFFEE CAKE! I needed a coffee cake that did not use sour cream because even going to the grocery store was a project! Happily I discovered your delicious recipe. I also baked it many time for local healthcare workers and it was always appreciated.
Thank you!
Sue K
Sue, thank you so much for sharing this! It means a lot that the recipe was helpful during that time, and I love that you made it for healthcare workers too, that is so thoughtful. So happy it has been a go to for you!
Loved this coffeecake. I needed something last minute and had all the ingredients on hand. I added chopped walnuts to the top layer of cinnamon sugar. Perfect!
The addition of walnuts sounds delicious, I’m so glad you liked it!
Thanks for your response. I was looking in the wrong place and didn’t see your answer so I may just try putting the butter in with a cinnamon and sugar before I put it on top of the cake and see how that works out. You have a good day and God bless.
I hope it turns out great!
I haven’t tried it yet. Could I use 1/2 oil & 1/2 applesauce?
Yes, you can replace half the oil with applesauce and it should still turn out great. The texture may be a little lighter but still delicious!
May I omit the drizzling of the margarine on top of the coffee cake before baking?
The drizzle of butter helps with the overall taste and texture of the cake, so I would not omit it completely. Instead of drizzling it over the top, you can mix the butter into the cinnamon sugar mixture before sprinkling it over the cake. If you are concerned about the amount, you can reduce it to 3 tablespoons.
This recipe sounds great However, I am one person. Can I make 1/2 batch?
Absolutely! For a half batch use an 8×8 or 9×9 pan, I would start checking around 20 to 25 minutes and bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is lightly golden. Hope you enjoy it!
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly!! This is delicious. I will definitely make again.
I am so happy it turned out perfectly for you and that you loved it!
Can I use a Bundt pant and turn it out?
Can you put topping in first?
Easy & delicious
Happy to hear it worked well for you!
Awesome recipe. I used two 5×9 pans to get a loaf shape, took about the same time. Definitely go heavy on the melted butter, it’s such a delicious crust. I went a bit too overboard with the brown sugar/cinnamon layers, which overpowered the flavor of the cake, but it’s still delicious. My house smells amazing now lol. The sugar layer did get stuck to my pans, next time I’ll opt for parchment paper. Thanks.
I love this! Two loaf pans is a great idea and parchment next time should help with sticking. I’m happy it still turned out delicious!
Can I use a bundt pan instead of using a baking dish? I seen some recipes that use one but I can’t seem to find any. The ones I found need sour cream which I don’t have so I’d like to use a bundt pan.
Yes, you can use a bundt pan for this coffee cake, but there are a couple things to keep in mind:
• A bundt pan will take longer to bake since the batter is deeper. Start checking about 10–15 minutes after the original time.
• The texture won’t be exactly the same as the baking dish version, but it’ll still be tasty.