Name: Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 boxed yellow cake mix; 1 box (small) instant vanilla pudding mix; 4 eggs; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans); 1 tsp cinnamon

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 20 reviews

If you’re looking for a truly delightful, comforting treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, this Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe will become your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s moist, tender, and loaded with a sweet cinnamon-nutty swirl that adds just the right amount of crunch and spice. Plus, it comes together with such effortless ease that you can have a homemade coffee cake on the table without any complicated fuss. Trust me, this is one of those feel-good recipes that hits all the right notes every single time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl on a white marbled surface holds four separate layers of ingredients: chopped brown nuts at the bottom right, white granulated sugar at the bottom left, a heap of cinnamon powder partly on sugar and nuts, and a dome-shaped pile of light brown sugar in the center. A wooden spoon lies across the bowl, touching the sugar layers. Above the bowl, a small clear glass bowl contains melted butter pieces, showing a smooth yellow color. To the right, a small white scalloped plate holds two whole white eggs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe plays a starring role, blending together simply yet perfectly to create a down-to-earth cake packed with flavor and texture. From the boxed cake mix that ensures a light crumb to the vanilla pudding that adds beautiful moisture, each component is essential for getting that classic coffee cake vibe.

Boxed yellow cake mix: Your base that lends a soft, fluffy texture and buttery flavor.
Vanilla pudding (instant, small box): Adds moistness and richness without extra fuss.
Eggs (4): Bind the ingredients together and enrich the batter.
Vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Keeps the cake wonderfully tender and moist.
Milk (1 cup): Balances the batter’s consistency and adds a bit of creaminess.
Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): Enhances the cake’s sweet aroma and depth.
Sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the cinnamon-nut topping perfectly.
Chopped nuts (1/2 cup): Provides a delightful crunch and warmth (walnuts or pecans work great).
Cinnamon (1 tsp): The cozy spice that makes coffee cake feel like a hug in dessert form.

How to Make Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and greasing a Bundt pan well. This is important so your coffee cake bakes evenly and releases cleanly once it’s done.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the boxed yellow cake mix, the instant vanilla pudding mix, 4 eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Mixing these ingredients thoroughly ensures a smooth batter that bakes into a moist, tender cake.

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon-Nut Swirl

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, chopped nuts, and cinnamon. This mixture creates the quintessential swirled topping that gives coffee cake its irresistible flavor and texture contrast.

Step 4: Layer the Batter and Topping

Pour half of the cake batter into the Bundt pan first. Then sprinkle half of the cinnamon-nut mixture on top. Repeat with the remaining batter, followed by the rest of the cinnamon-nut mix, which should finish as the topmost layer to get golden and crunchy while baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden Perfection

Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 60 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures a fully cooked cake that’s still wonderfully moist.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, allow the cake to cool for a little while so it firms up just enough for easy slicing. Then, serve it warm or at room temperature for the ultimate coffee companion.

How to Serve Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

A single-layer bundt cake with a rough, crumbly brown top texture that looks like it has cinnamon sugar and small nut pieces sprinkled all over. The cake has a rich golden-brown color on the sides with a slightly uneven surface showing some darker brown spots. It sits on a round wooden stand with a medium wood tone, while the background is softly blurred with a white marbled texture visible under the stand. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Enhance your coffee cake by dusting the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzling a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also make beautiful, tasty garnishes.

Side Dishes

This coffee cake pairs wonderfully with a steaming cup of black coffee or your favorite latte. For a fuller breakfast or brunch, serve it alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the cake into small squares and serve on a pretty platter at brunch gatherings or parties. You can even cut it into cubes and skewer with fruit or marshmallows for a fun coffee cake bite appetizer! The layers of cinnamon and nuts will shine no matter how you present it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, wrap the coffee cake tightly in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, it will stay fresh and tasty for up to 2 days. Beyond that, refrigerate to maintain moisture.

Freezing

You can freeze the coffee cake for longer storage by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best results.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers warm, pop individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm in a low oven (about 300 degrees) for 10-15 minutes. This reawakens the cake’s tenderness and brings out all those lovely cinnamon-nut aromas.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nuts in this coffee cake?

Absolutely! While walnuts and pecans are classics, you can swap in almonds, hazelnuts, or even skip nuts entirely if you prefer a nut-free version.

Is it necessary to use boxed cake mix and pudding?

Using boxed cake mix and instant pudding keeps this recipe simple and foolproof, which is why it’s so quick and easy. But if you like, you can try making a from-scratch batter with similar ingredients.

How do I know when the coffee cake is done baking?

The best test is inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to come out.

Can I make this coffee cake in a different pan?

Yes, a Bundt pan works beautifully to showcase the swirled layers, but you can use a 9×13-inch baking dish as well—just adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on doneness.

Can this recipe be doubled?

You can double the ingredients to make a larger batch, using two pans to ensure it bakes evenly. Just keep the same layering method for the cinnamon swirl in each pan.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about biting into a slice of coffee cake that feels homemade but didn’t take forever to whip up. This Quick and Easy Coffee Cake Recipe hits that sweet spot beautifully, impressing with its simple ingredients and wonderful balance of moist cake and cinnamon-nutty topping. I can’t wait for you to make this soon and share it with friends and family. Once you try it, I have a feeling it will quickly become your go-to for any occasion that calls for a little extra comfort and sweetness.