I have a soft spot for recipes that feel like you barely tried… but somehow turn out like you did.
This coffee cake is exactly that. Five minutes of prep, no fancy ingredients, and you end up with a soft, fluffy cake topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble that tastes like it came from a bakery.
It’s the kind of recipe you make when you want something warm and homemade without committing to a whole baking project.
And yes — it disappears fast.
For the Coffee Cake
- Egg – helps bind everything together and gives the cake structure.
- Oil – keeps the cake soft and moist without needing butter.
- Vanilla – adds a warm, sweet background flavor.
- Sugar – sweetens the cake and contributes to its tender texture.
- Milk – adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- Salt – balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Baking Powder – gives the cake its rise and light texture.
- Flour – forms the base and structure of the cake.
For the Streusel Topping
- Butter – melts into the topping to create that crumbly texture.
- Brown Sugar – adds sweetness with a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Cinnamon – brings the classic warm spice that makes coffee cake so comforting.
- Flour – helps bind the streusel into crumbles.
- Walnuts (optional) – add a bit of crunch and nuttiness.
For the Icing Drizzle
- Butter – gives the icing a smooth, rich base.
- Powdered Sugar – creates a sweet, soft glaze.
- Milk – thins the icing to your desired consistency for drizzling.
Easy Homemade Coffee Cake Recipe
A soft and tender coffee cake that comes together quickly using everyday pantry staples—perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat any time of day.
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PinServings: 9
Notes
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups flour
Streusel
- 2 T butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 T flour
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
Icing Drizzle
- 1 T butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 T milk (extra if needed)
Instructions
Cake
- Set your oven to 375°.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the sugar, milk, salt, oil, and vanilla, and mix well.
- Measure the flour by spooning it into a measuring cup. Add it over the batter. Sprinkle the baking powder over the flour and lightly combine it into just the top portion. Then mix everything together until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9x9 baking dish.
Streusel
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until evenly blended. Mix in nuts if using.
- Scatter the streusel evenly over the batter. Use your finger or the handle of a wooden spoon to press parts of the topping halfway into the batter, about 12–18 times in random spots.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Avoid overbaking to keep it from drying out.
Icing (optional)
- Combine butter and powdered sugar.
- Add milk gradually until you reach your preferred consistency.
- Drizzle lightly over the cake.
- For the cake batter, spoon the flour into the measuring cup rather than scooping. For the streusel, you can scoop the flour directly with the measuring spoon.
- Keep an eye on baking time—overbaking will result in a drier cake.
- Why is my coffee cake dry?
Overbaking is the culprit here. You want that perfect soft, tender crumb—not a dry cake. Pull it out when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Not clean. Not wet. Right in between. - Can I use butter instead of oil?
You can! Butter will add a richer flavor, but oil is what keeps this cake extra soft and moist. If you want that bakery-style texture, stick with oil.
- Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, and it holds up beautifully. Just keep it in an airtight container at room temp and it’ll stay soft and delicious for days. Perfect for prepping ahead. - Do I have to use the nuts?
Nope. Totally optional. Leave them out if you’re not a fan, or swap in something else if you’re feeling fancy. - How do I know when it’s done?
Toothpick test, always. Insert it into the center—if you get moist crumbs, you’re golden. If it’s wet, give it a few more minutes. If it’s completely dry… you’ve gone too far.
