Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

There is nothing better than sitting down with friends or family and enjoying a cup of coffee and a piece of coffee cake. It is one of my favorite recipes to make when the family comes in from out of town around the holidays.

However, it is also a dish that I like to make when heading to a friend’s house for brunch. In addition it is also a great recipe when I want to drop off an edible gift for new parents or for a family during a difficult time.

Everyone can agree that it is hard to resist the sweet and moist cake that is bursting with cinnamon flavor. And it is one of those recipes that can be enjoyed any time of the day!

Although it is commonly served at breakfast or brunch, this sweet treat can also be served as dessert after dinner. But why stop there when you can eat it as a snack to keep you feeling satisfied until the next meal?

Although it looks impressive it is also very easy to make recipe. In fact, it is so easy that I always make two cakes at the same time.

This gives me the option of sharing one with family and friends but still have another one for our own enjoyment. Or I freeze the second cake so that I have delicious sweet treat one on hand when unexpected guests arrive.

Is There Coffee in Coffee Cake?

Coffee cake got its name because it is traditionally served with coffee. However the cake itself does not typically contain coffee as an ingredient.

It is thought that this recipe originated in Europe as a sweet accompaniment to both tea and coffee. In the United States, coffee cake became popular in the early 20th century and there have been many variations to the recipe that have developed over the years.

Although the classic recipe results in cake that is both sweet and crumbly, there are wide variations and not call coffee cakes are the same. Some recipes include nuts, raisins, or have various flavors added to the batter.

I am sure that those cakes are delicious as well. However, the recipe below is more of a standard cinnamon sweet cake recipe.

Why You Will Love This Easy Recipe

Taste: Coffee cake is both sweet and flavorful with a crumbly, buttery texture. There is not only a cinnamon sugar topping that you will love, there is also a layer of cinnamon sugar in the middle of the cake providing extra flavor and texture in every bite.

Eat it Any Time of Day: As mentioned above you can eat a piece of this delicious cake at any time of day. And there is no worry about serving it right out of the oven as it can be served warm or cold.

Comfort Food: Although many people think of comfort food recipes as dinner recipes such as Meatloaf, Pot Roast, and Chicken Noodles, cake is also considered comfort food. After eating a piece it would make any dreary day much brighter.

Nostalgic Recipe: For many people, coffee cake may bring back fond memories of childhood or family gatherings where Grandma’s cake was enjoyed by all on Sunday mornings.

What To Serve With Coffee Cake

Although you can enjoy the cake on its own, it is customary to enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea with it. However, if you aren’t a coffee or tea drinker you can certainly enjoy a glass of milk with the sweet crumbly cake as well.

However, if you are looking for other alternatives for serving I have listed some common pairings that go well with the sweetness of the cake.

1. Fresh fruit: Serve sliced fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, alongside the coffee cake for a light and refreshing taste.

2. Yogurt: For another healthy option, serve the coffee cake with a side of vanilla yogurt. The vanilla flavor pairs well cinnamon flavor of the cake and the tanginess of the yogurt complements the sweetness of the cake.

3. Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of the cake will add a light and creamy texture not found in the cake itself. In addition the slightly milk like flavor compliments the buttery cake perfectly.

4. Ice cream: When serving this for dessert you can’t go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. And I am definitely not against topping it with ice cream at breakfast either!

Best Way To Store Coffee Cake

If you plan to consume the coffee cake within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

However, if you want to keep the coffee cake for a longer period, such as up to a week, you can store it in the refrigerator. Place the cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Although you can also freeze it as well for longer storage. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or a freezer-safe bag. Then place it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil (*see below for a healthier option)
• 1¼ cups milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ⅓ cup butter, unsalted & melted

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Then lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, oil, milk and vanilla and mix until combined. Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well incorporated.

Pour half the batter into the prepared baking dish. Then set the baking dish aside to prepare the cinnamon sugar filling for the coffee cake.

In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Then sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar over the top of the batter in the baking dish.

Top the filling with the remaining batter by carefully pouring the batter over the cinnamon sugar layer. Seal the edges of the batter by tucking the top batter over the cinnamon mixture around the edges of the pan.

Finally, sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top and then drizzle the melted butter on top, coating as much of the cinnamon sugar mixture as possible.

Bake Time Required

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moistly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).

Once you take the pan out of the oven let the coffee cake sit for 5 minutes before serving. You can enjoy coffee cake warm or at room temperature.

*Healthier Option

To make this cake a little healthier, substituting all natural applesauce for vegetable oil. This will reduce the amount of fat in the recipe.

In order to do this replace the vegetable oil with the same amount of all natural, no sugar added applesauce. Simply mix in the applesauce to the batter and stir until it’s well combined.

However, cakes made with applesauce tend to be slightly moister and denser than when vegetable oil is used. Depending on your preference you may want to start out replacing half of the oil with applesauce to test out the recipe.

Then the next time that you make it you can adjust the recipe to achieve the desired texture.

Enjoy! Mary

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