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With a quick prep, this crowd-favorite homemade coffee cake is a delicious go-to for any breakfast, brunch, or celebration!
KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN’: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I love making this coffee cake. It’s so easy to make, and it’s a huge crowd-pleaser.”
How to Make Coffee Cake
One of my 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.
My mom first made it for the family when I was younger and I remember thinking, “I need to have this recipe in my life!” It is so delicious! (Even Khloe Kardashian agrees!)
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.
Why is it Called Coffee Cake?
The American versions have a delicious streusel topping and seem to have mainly originated from Germany. No matter the recipe, what they all had in common was being served alongside a warm cup of coffee. Hence the name coffee cake!
Coffee cake vs crumb cake. These breakfast cakes are very similar and are often served in the morning or as a snack alongside a cup of coffee. The batter of both cakes is the same, the difference lies in the cinnamon sugar topping.
This coffee cake recipe is topped with a thin streusel layer. Crumb cake has a much thicker and chunkier crumb topping.
- PREP TIME: 15 MINS
- COOK TIME: 45 MINS
INgredients
- Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- White Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Light Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Unsalted Butter
STEP by STEP: In PHOTOS
STEP 1: PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
STEP 2: WET INGREDIENTS. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 1 1/4 cups milk together.
STEP 3: DRY INGREDIENTS. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup white sugar, 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
STEP 4: COMBINE. Combine egg mixture with flour mixture. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
- I usually just use a whisk and spoon to whip this up, but you can use a stand mixer (with the paddle attachment, or a hand mixer). Just stay at a low-medium speed and don’t over-mix.
STEP 5: CRUMB TOPPING. In a medium bowl, prepare streusel by combining 1 1/4 cups brown sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
STEP 6: LAYER. Sprinkle half of the streusel on top of the batter. Top with the remaining half of the batter and then sprinkle the remaining streusel on top.
STEP 7: BUTTER. Drizzle with melted butter (you can do less and use ¼ cup butter or up to ⅓ cup butter melted).
STEP 8: BAKE. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is often served with a cup of coffee or tea, but it’s great with other warm drinks as well:
- Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa
- Apple Cider
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Cocoa
- Wassail
- Hot Chocolate Recipe
You can also serve it with some of our favorite savory breakfast casserole recipes or with other favorites like: Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Roll Cake, or Breakfast Charcuterie Board.
Coffee Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white 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 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.
- 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.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
What if I have a dense batter?
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.
What are the best variations?
- Fruit. Adding fruit can be a delicious variation. Try folding some 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 or chopped pecans or walnuts to the top of the cake to give it a delightful crunch.
- Glaze. 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.
How to Store Coffee 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.
- FREEZE. Wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.
- To reheat. 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.
This is a very delicious coffee cake and simple to make! Will add to my favorites! I did not change one thing! Thank you!
This is a favorite recipe. I love a great coffeecake and this is a great one to make!
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.
My kids live this coffee cake. I like to make it as jumbo muffins for a grab and go breakfast.
I just made your coffee cake and it is delicious! Several who happened to be here enjoyed it also!
I’m trying to find how to rate it so I can be entered in your giveaway but can’t find where to rate it!
Thanks for all the great recipes! Your family looks so happy and fun!
God bless you!
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!
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!
Easy delicious moist cake. I made it with almond milk. Will make it again for sure!