Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake: Easy, Moist, and Delicious!

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.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

Ingredients Needed for Cinnamon Roll Cake with Icing Recipe:

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:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until combined.
4. Add in the melted butter and stir until thoroughly combined.
5. Grease a 9 x 13 and pour the batter evenly on the bottom of the pan.
6. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and spread evenly on top of the batter.
7. Place pan in preheated oven, 350, for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. While cake is baking, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and water together to form the glaze.
9. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely.
10. Pour the glaze on top of the cooled cake and serve!!

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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 1/2 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!

Exact Ingredients Needed

For printable recipe card, click blue link under any of the pictures

CAKE

• 3 cups flour *all purpose
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 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