There’s something magical about the combination of coffee and cake—like the perfect pairing of two old friends. And when it’s as simple as this Cake Mix Coffee Cake, you can enjoy this delightful treat with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Imagine tender, fluffy cake with a sweet cinnamon swirl, topped with a crispy, buttery streusel that’ll make your taste buds dance. It’s everything you want in a coffee cake, made with the convenience of a cake mix!
Why You’ll Love Cake Mix Coffee Cake
This recipe is an absolute game-changer! It takes all the flavors you love in a traditional coffee cake but cuts down on prep time—so you get all the goodness without the hassle. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Quick and Easy: Using a cake mix saves you time without sacrificing flavor. You can whip this up in no time and still impress your guests!
- Perfectly Sweet: The cake has the perfect amount of sweetness, and the cinnamon swirl brings that warm, comforting flavor we all love.
- Fluffy and Moist: Thanks to the cake mix, the texture is light and airy, while the streusel topping adds that irresistible crunch.
- Versatile: This coffee cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even an afternoon snack. Pair it with a cup of coffee, and you’ve got a winning combination.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re serving it to friends, family, or coworkers, this coffee cake will disappear fast. It’s a recipe that’s loved by everyone.

Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own delicious Cake Mix Coffee Cake:
Cake Mix: A simple cake mix (yellow, white, or butter flavor) is the base for this recipe. It gives the cake its light, airy texture.
Eggs: To bind the cake and give it the perfect crumb.
Sour Cream: Adds moisture and richness to the cake, making it extra tender.
Cinnamon: For that warm, spicy swirl that creates a delicious contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
Butter: Used for the streusel topping and to give the cake an extra buttery flavor.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to both the cake and the streusel topping.
Vanilla Extract: A classic addition to bring all the flavors together.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s get baking! Here’s how you can make this mouthwatering Cake Mix Coffee Cake:
Prepare Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and softened butter. Mix until it forms a crumbly texture. Set aside.
Prepare the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Stir until just combined, making sure there are no lumps. The batter should be thick and smooth.
Assemble the Cake
Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the top, then pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer.
Add the Streusel Topping
Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake.
Bake to Perfection
Bake the coffee cake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 250
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
How to Serve Cake Mix Coffee Cake
This Cake Mix Coffee Cake is perfect for a variety of occasions. Here are a few ways to serve it:
- Breakfast: Serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a simple, yet satisfying breakfast.
- Brunch: Add a fresh fruit salad or some scrambled eggs to turn this coffee cake into a brunch spread.
- Snack: It makes for a great mid-afternoon snack with a cold glass of milk or iced coffee.
- Dessert: Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
Presentation tip: Dust the cooled cake with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar for a little extra flair!
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to make this coffee cake even better:
- Add a Glaze: Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cake for a sweet finishing touch.
- Use Greek Yogurt: For a tangy twist, swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for some crunch and added flavor.
- Make Mini Cakes: Bake the cake in muffin tins for individual servings that are perfect for sharing.
- Add Chocolate: If you’re a chocolate lover, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips into the batter for a chocolaty surprise in every bite.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this coffee cake ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can make it the night before and store it in an airtight container. Simply reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Q2: Can I freeze this cake?
A2: Yes, this coffee cake freezes well! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Q3: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
A3: Absolutely! You can try a spice cake mix, chocolate cake mix, or even a butter pecan mix for a fun twist.
Q4: How do I store leftover coffee cake?
A4: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for a longer shelf life.
Q5: Can I use dairy-free alternatives?
A5: Yes, you can substitute the sour cream with a dairy-free yogurt or sour cream alternative and use a dairy-free butter for the streusel.
Q6: Can I make this cake in a different pan size?
A6: If you use a smaller pan (like an 8×8-inch square pan), adjust the baking time. Start checking for doneness around 25-30 minutes.
Q7: Can I add fruit to this coffee cake?
A7: Yes! Try adding fresh berries or chopped apples to the batter for an added fruity twist.
Q8: Can I make this cake without the streusel topping?
A8: Of course! The streusel is optional, but it adds a wonderful crunchy texture and flavor. You can skip it or replace it with a simple glaze instead.
Q9: How can I make this cake more flavorful?
A9: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for an extra punch of flavor. A little vanilla extract can also elevate the overall taste.
Q10: How do I know when the coffee cake is done?
A10: The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Conclusion
This Cake Mix Coffee Cake is perfect for when you need a quick, delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of cinnamon, butter, and cake mix makes it easy to put together, and the results are simply irresistible. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or just because, you’ll love how this cake brings a little sweetness to your day. Grab a slice, and enjoy every bite!
PrintCake Mix Coffee Cake
This easy Cake Mix Coffee Cake combines a rich and fluffy yellow cake with a cinnamon streusel topping and a sweet glaze. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and comes together in no time!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
For the Cinnamon Streusel:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, sour cream, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until smooth.
-
Make the Cinnamon Streusel:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans (if using).
-
Layer the Cake and Streusel:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel mixture over the batter.
- Add the remaining cake batter on top and spread it out smoothly.
- Sprinkle the rest of the streusel mixture on top.
-
Bake and Cool:
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.
-
Make and Add the Glaze:
- In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the slightly warm coffee cake.
Notes
- You can substitute the pecans with other nuts or omit them if preferred.
- For a sweeter, richer glaze, you can add a little more powdered sugar or milk to adjust the consistency.
- This cake can also be served without the glaze for a less sweet version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 12 servings)
- Calories: 250kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg