This EASY Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake recipe combines the flavors of homemade cinnamon rolls with a moist and flavorful cake. Using simple ingredients, this coffee cake comes together using minimal effort. With a delicious, sweet icing on top, this cake is perfect any time of the day.
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Also try my homemade, ooey gooey cinnamon rolls for a tasty breakfast treat! The cream cheese frosting on top may just end up being your favorite part!
Jump to:
- Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- What is coffee cake?
- Ingredients Needed for Cinnamon Roll Cake with Icing Recipe:
- How to make Cinnamon Roll Easy Coffee Cake:
- Frequently asked questions
- Pro Tips for Easy Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
- How to store Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Check out these other great coffee cake recipes from the blog:
- Easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Have you ever gone to Starbucks and tried their Coffee Cake? It’s incredibly flavorful. In fact, after just one bite, I knew I had to make a coffee cake that would be just as yummy, otherwise, I would go broke returning to Starbucks each and every day, LOL! Even Panera Bread has a Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake I am in love with!
Moist, fluffy, with a mouthwatering crumb topping. Basically, the perfect anytime cake. All the same goodness you find in a classic cinnamon roll, without all the work.
After only a few attempts at making a homemade coffee cake, this one was created and has quickly become a family favorite. Whether you choose to add the icing on top, or keep it simple and omit, this coffee cake is a must try!
What is coffee cake?
Although a few early coffee cake recipes actually called for coffee as an ingredient, the term ‘coffee cake’ generally refers to a type of simple, usually unfrosted cake that is an accompaniment to coffee, rather than a cake that contains coffee. A cake that can be served anytime of the day, but typically enjoyed in the morning. Coffee cakes stand apart from other cakes because of their streusel topping and because, although they might have a little glaze drizzled on top, they are not frosted. Some have a swirl of streusel in them, and others are filled with fruit, nuts or chocolate.
Ingredients Needed for Cinnamon Roll Cake with Icing Recipe:
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredients and directions
Cake
- Flour- all-purpose
- Salt
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract- try to use pure versus imitation
- Butter- melted
Streusel Topping
- Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
Glaze
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Water
How to make Cinnamon Roll Easy Coffee Cake:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until combined.
- Add in the melted butter and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Grease a 9 x 13 and pour the batter evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and spread evenly on top of the batter.
- Place pan in preheated oven, 350, for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While cake is baking, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and water together to form the glaze.
- Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Pour the glaze on top of the cooled cake and serve!!
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell when cake is done?
The easiest way to tell if this cake is done is to insert a toothpick or knife into the center of the cake. If the knife/toothpick comes out clean, you are good to go and can remove from the oven. If you find there is still a little batter on the knife, add a few minutes to the time and check again. You don’t want to over-bake this cake as it will become dry and not as moist/fluffy.
Can I add nuts to this cake?
Absolutely! In fact, I encourage it! The only reason I didn’t add any is because my family doesn’t like the addition, but they go perfectly in this recipe. Simply add about ½ cup, chopped into the batter while mixing, or sprinkle on top before the streusel!
What makes coffee cake different from a regular cake?
Coffee cakes stand apart from other cakes because of their streusel topping and because, although they might have a little glaze drizzled on top, they are not frosted.
Can I bake this in a bundt pan?
Absolutely! You may just need to adjust the bake time to compensate as the cake will be a bit thicker than in the pan.
Pro Tips for Easy Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
- You can make this the night before you need it and simply add the icing on top just before serving.
- Be sure not to overbake this as it will get dry and not as fluffy. Use the toothpick trick (Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. When it comes out clean, the cake is ready to be removed from the oven).
- Don’t over-mix the batter as it will cause the texture of the cake to change and won’t rise as much.
- If you love streusel, feel free to double and add a middle layer to this cake to make it a cinnamon streusel coffee cake.
- If you don’t like things too sweet, simply omit the icing and enjoy the cake as is. Either way is great!
- Want a shortcut version? Check out my Quick Cinnamon Coffee Cake which uses a yellow cake mix to keep things easy and delicious.
- Add 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to make this a Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake.
How to store Cinnamon Roll Cake
- This cake can be covered with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can also keep it in the refrigerator for up to 6 days or freeze it in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Once ready to enjoy, simply microwave in 30 second increments and serve! I like to melt a little butter on top to really enhance the flavor!
Check out these other great coffee cake recipes from the blog:
Quick Coffee Cake– cake mix coffee cake is an irresistible cake to serve with coffee. A quick and oh so easy to make version of this classic cake, it’s sure to become one of your regular recipes!
Incredible Banana Coffee Cake– moist and tender banana cake with layers of brown sugar crumb topping and a sweet icing drizzle
Strawberry Coffee Cake– a beautifully dense yet light cake base, fresh strawberry layer and final sugar crumb topping is perfect!
Morning Cake– not too sweet and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee, who says you can’t enjoy cake for breakfast?!!
Blueberry Brunch Cake– moist cake with blueberries throughout.
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Easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
CAKE
- 3 cups flour *all purpose
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoon butter *melted
STREUSEL
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
GLAZE
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until combined.
- Add in the melted butter and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Grease a 9 x 13 and pour the batter evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and spread evenly on top of the batter.
- Place pan in preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While cake is baking, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and water together to form the glaze.
- Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Pour the glaze on top of the cooled cake and serve!!
Nutrition
Carol S Cribb says
The streusel was a bit grainy. Can you add anything to make this not happen?
Kristin says
You can always add a bit more butter to offset the sugar grains!
Kathy Harrier says
I’m baking the cake now! Can’t wait to eat it! Only problem is the icing. I can’t get all the sugar to mix with the little bit of water and vanilla that it calls for. Any suggestions?
Kristin says
I hope the cake turned out good!! For icing, you can add additional water in 1 tsp increments until the consistency desired is reached!!
Karen Kuhn says
Couldn’t you swirl the cinnamon into the cake?
Kristin says
You definitely could! My family prefers it as a topping, but it would be great swirled as well!!