Cake Mix Coffee Cake

5 from 30 votes
43 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

This Coffee Cake is so easy and yummy! You’re going to love this moist cake with a buttery cinnamon and sugar crumb topping.

A piece of coffee cake on a pink plate
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Easy Coffee Cake Recipe
  2. Works Well For A Crowd
  3. Coffee Cake Ingredients
  4. Easy Cooking Method
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Cake
  6. More Recipes Like This
  7. How to Make Cake Mix Coffee Cake
  8. Cake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe

Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

This coffee cake is light and fluffy, yet moist and delicious. It starts with a box mix, making it simple! It is so easy to do and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand. This is a pretty versatile dish, too — you can add things or take them away as you like. You can add chopped up apples to the crumb topping. Blueberries or shredded coconut make great additions, too! My favorite substitution is using coconut oil instead of vegetable or canola oil. It adds a slight coconut-y flavor which I love, plus it is better for you!

A piece of coffee cake on a pink plate with a bite taken out


Works Well For A Crowd

This coffee cake is a great dish if you are have guests over and a staple for brunch. It is relatively cheap to make and it serves up to 15 people (depending on how hungry everyone is). It is a winner for kids and adults alike! For a breakfast spread that rivals any B&B, serve with eggs, bacon, fruit, and yogurt. For more breakfast ideas, check out our post 35+ Easy Breakfast Ideas.

Coffee Cake Ingredients

  • Cake Batter Dry Ingredients:
    • Yellow Cake Mix
    • Vanilla Pudding Mix – Adding pudding mix to your cakes makes them so rich and moist!
  • Cake Batter Wet Ingredients:
    • Water
    • Buttermilk – This gives your coffee cake a bright, tangy flavor and adds to the moisture. You can substitute regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice if needed.
    • Oil – I like to use coconut oil, but you can use vegetable oil or canola oil.
    • Large Eggs
    • Sour Cream – This will truly take your cake to the next level. Don’t leave it out!
  • Streusel Topping (Crumble Topping):
    • Light Brown Sugar
    • White Sugar
    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Cinnamon
    • Salt
    • Unsalted Butter – The butter needs to be very cold, not room temperature or melted butter. Pop it in the freezer for a few minutes if needed. If the butter is too warm, then you won’t get that delicious crumbly texture.
    • Walnuts – The nuts are optional. You could also use pecans!

Easy Cooking Method

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry and wet cake batter ingredients, except for the sour cream. Then, fold in the sour cream using a spatula or large spoon.
  2. Pour into a 9×13 baking dish.
  3. Then a separate medium bowl, combine all topping ingredients except butter and walnuts.
  4. Cut the butter into small cubes and add to flour mixture. Mix with a fork, a pastry cutter, or your hands until crumbly. Stir in the walnuts. Optional: sprinkle in a little vanilla extract.
  5. Sprinkle half of the topping onto the cake and use a knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter. Pour the rest of the mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  6. Finally, cut and serve! This coffee cake is delicious warm or cooled. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or cover the pan with plastic wrap.
  7. For some added sweetness drizzle a little cream cheese frosting glaze or sprinkle on some powdered sugar over the top.
A piece of coffee cake on a pink plate with a bite taken out

Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Cake

Why is it called coffee cake?

Coffee cake originated from German roots of a similar dessert eaten in informal social gatherings where people would sit a visit around cups of coffee.

Does coffee cake actually contain coffee?

No, the coffee in the name refers to a cake eaten with coffee.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How should I re-heat leftovers?

You can eat it cold but if you like it warm just do 15 seconds in the microwave per slice.

READ NEXT: 33+ Breakfast Ideas

More Recipes Like This

If you love this recipe, you should also try our other yummy flavors! Our Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is one of my all time favorites! Although I think it is a pretty close tie with our Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Both are so good, you can’t go wrong! It works out fine because I can make the Pumpkin during Fall and the Blueberry in the spring. And you definitely want to try our Cranberry Almond Coffee Cake during the Holidays.

How to Make Cake Mix Coffee Cake

A piece of coffee cake on a pink plate

Cake Mix Coffee Cake

5 from 30 votes
This Cake Mix Coffee Cake is so easy and yummy! I am a big fan of quick desserts, especially treats with buttery cinnamon and sugar crumb toppings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine German
Servings 15

Video

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch pan
  • Hand Mixer
  • Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

For the Cake:

For the topping:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, buttermilk, oil, eggs, pudding mix. Beat with a mixer for about 2 minutes. Fold in sour cream.
    A bowl of vanilla batter
  • In a smaller bowl, combine sugars, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut butter into small pieces and add to the sugar mixture. Mix together with a fork or pastry blender until crumbly. Stir in walnuts.
    Streusel topping with walnuts in a measuring cup
  • Pour batter into a greased 9×13 glass baking dish. Sprinkle half of the topping over the batter. Use a knife to swirl the mixture throughout the cake.
    Cake batter with cinnamon mixture mixed in
  • Top evenly with remaining topping.
    Coffee cake topped with streusel topping
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    Coffee cake baked in a glass baking dish

Nutrition Information

Calories: 439kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 509mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 526IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 2mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

More about Erica Walker

Similar Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’m a bit confused. I don’t see anything that says add baking powder for rise. But a few comments said they did it as suggested and it worked….. anyone clarify that?

    1. Someone in the comments said they added 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder based off a recipe they found in a cookbook. People have tried it and said it works well!

See More Comments