Coffee Cake Recipe

Coffee cake is amazing and we look for any excuse to make it. It’s the perfect idea for breakfast or an afternoon snack. This easy coffee cake recipe is also great for dessert.

If you love this coffee cake, you must try this Christmas Coffee Cake Recipe, Honey Bun Cake, Coffee Cake Muffins or Coffee Cake Muffins.

Why We Love This Classic Coffee Cake

It is not complicated at all. You only need a few ingredients to make this homemade coffee cake. Skip the store bought mixes and make this simple cake instead.

The Streusel topping is so delicious and the cake is super moist. This will quickly become one of your favorite coffee cake recipes. Make it for any occasion or for a friend, everyone loves the classic flavors of cinnamon sugar and each slice of this cake is loaded with it.

Ingredients

• Flour – Measure the flour as the recipe is written
• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Milk – We like whole milk because it gives the cake batter so much flavor. Substitute with heavy cream for a richer cake or 2% for a lighter texture.
• Crumble Topping – All you need is butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and reserved dry ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Chopped Nuts – Add nuts to the coffee cake topping. Pecans, almonds and walnuts are delicious.
• Top with a Glaze – Drizzle a homemade cream cheese glaze on top like the one in Cinnamon Roll Cake.
• Pumpkin Flavor – Try pumpkin puree in the cake to make a pumpkin coffee cake.
• Fruit is a delicious add in. We like blueberries!
• Sour cream is a great add-in to make the cake even more moist and add flavor. For a lower calorie option you can add in Greek Yogurt.

How to Make Coffee Cake

• Step 1 – First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Step 2 – Next, spray a 9×9 baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, stir all of the dry ingredients including all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure to reserve ¼ cup to use later to make the topping.
• Step 3 – Add softened butter, large eggs, and milk to the large bowl. Mix until thick batter forms. Since the batter is so thick, you may need to combine with a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed. Pour the batter mixture into prepared pan. You may need to use a spatula to ensure all remaining batter is poured into the pan.
• Step 4 – For the topping, cut in cold butter with the ¼ reserved dry ingredients in a medium bowl. It should look like small crumbles when you’re done.

• Step 5 – Cut in brown sugar and cinnamon to make the topping for the crumb cake. Sprinkle crumbles over the batter in an even layer.

• Step 6 – Bake at 350 F for 35-40 or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Expert Tips

• Baking Dish – We used a 8-inch baking pan or 9×9 baking dish but you can also use a 9×13 if you don’t want it as thick. The ones with the lid are really handy if you are taking this coffee cake somewhere. I often use the disposable pans for the cake if I’m taking it to a potluck or gathering.  You can also bake in a loaf pan or round cake pan. Baking time make change slightly.
• Line Baking Dish – To easily remove the coffee cake from the pan, line with parchment paper and spray the pan with cooking spray. This helps for clean up and to slice the cake.
• Crumb Topping – Coat the coffee cake batter with the crumble topping evenly to ensure that each bite is filled with the cake and the topping.

How to Know When Coffee Cake is Done Cooking

The best way to tell when the coffee cake is done baking is when the coffee cake is baked with a golden brown topping.

We also recommend inserting a toothpick in the center of the coffee cake and if it comes out clean then the cake is fully cooked.

Serving Suggestions

This Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe is delicious served for breakfast or brunch. We even enjoy it for a dessert! When we serve it for breakfast and brunch, it is perfect served with a Fruit Salad Recipe, Fruit and Yogurt Parfait and a Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole.

Of course we always like to have a cup of Iced Coffee with Homemade Coffee Creamer Recipe. You can even make Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino Recipe for a delicious combination.

Frequently Asked Questions