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Easy Coffee Crumb Cake Recipe Without Sour Cream 

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Indulge in this timeless treat that is so scrumptious and made without sour cream.


With a tender crumb, cinnamon streusel topping, and a heavenly aroma, this delicious coffee cake will undoubtedly become a family favorite!

There is a white 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish with a yellow cake in it. There is a cinnamon, sugar, and chopped pecans topping on the cake. There is a square piece cut out of the cake. There is a small white plate next to the pan. There is a square piece of the coffee cake on the plate. There is a silver fork resting on the plate behind the piece of cake. There is a gray cloth napkin behind the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

I’ve tried more than a few coffee cakes before, I’ve kind of have a love affair with them and this is by far the best Coffee Cake recipe!

It’s simple, super moist, and packed with the warm flavors of cinnamon and vanilla. 


It’s the perfect go-to for breakfast, brunch, and a must make during the holiday season at our house, along with my Hash Brown Casserole, Dupar’s Pancakes, and Mini Pecan Raisin Tarts!

There are four pieces of a yellow cake with a cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecan topping on a square white plate. The plate is on a wood surface.

This classic coffee cake is made with simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry and with a prep time of about 10 minutes, making this sweet cake is effortless.

So gather up all the ingredients and get ready to make a delicious super moist cake with a cinnamon streusel that can be shared with friends or enjoyed alone with your morning coffee. Happy baking!

Basic Ingredients For Coffee Crumb Cake Without Sour Cream

What You Will Need

Wet Ingredients

  • Milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Large eggs 
  • Pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • All purpose flour
  • White sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Crumb Topping

  • Light brown sugar
  • White sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter 
  • Chopped pecans – optional

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large mixing bowls 
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven mitts
  • Cake tester or toothpick
  • Wire rack

How To Make Coffee Crumb Cake Without Sour Cream

There is a white mixing bowl with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon in it. There is a metal whisk resting in the bowl. There is a stack of metal measuring cups next to the bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Streusel –

  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon.
  • Mix well and set aside.

Cake Batter – 

  • In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients and whisk throughly.
  • In a separate bowl, blend the dry ingredients together.
  • Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
  • Mix well. (see FAQ’s)
  • Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Use a rubber spatula to smooth batter into an even layer.
  • Sprinkle half of the cinnamon filling on top of the batter. 
  • Gently spoon the rest of the batter over the cinnamon filling layer. 
  • Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon streusel over the top of the coffee cake batter.
  • Add the chopped pecans to the top of the streusel.
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the top. 
There is a white 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish with a yellow cake in it. There is a cinnamon, sugar, and chopped pecans topping on the cake. There is a brown cloth napkin next to the pan. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Bake in preheated oven. 
  • Cool cake on a wire rack. 
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

See recipe card below for complete measurements, details, and total time.

Let’s Talk Ingredients And Variations

Whole milk – Buttermilk or low fat milk can be substituted.

Vegetable Oil – Use coconut oil or applesauce instead.

Pecans – Add your favorite chopped nuts if you’d like. Sliced almonds and walnuts are very popular and tasty on a cinnamon coffee cake.

Add Fruit – Toss in some fresh blueberries, sliced peaches or chopped dates.

There is a stack of cut pieces of yellow cake with a cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped pecan topping on a round white plate with gold speckles. The plate on a white marbled surface.

How To Store

  • If by chance there is any leftover coffee cake, tightly seal the top of the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The coffee cake can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • To freeze – Tightly wrap with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
There is a white baking dish with a yellow cake with a cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecan topping. There is a cut out section of the cake.

Looking for more delicious recipes packed cinnamon and goodness? Here’s a delicious one from Back To My Southern RootsEasy Apple Cinnamon Bubble Up Bake

There is a square piece of yellow cake with a cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecan topping on a small white plate. The plate is on a white marbled surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Coffee Cake Batter Thick?

Coffee cake batter is a dense batter, so don’t be alarmed. If you are really concerned that it’s just too thick, you can add a little bit more milk to the batter.

Why Should Eggs Be At Room Temperature When Baking?

Room temperature eggs mix better with a batter and helps it rise better creating a fluffier and less dense cake.

Why Is A Coffee Cake Called A Coffee Cake?

The simple answer is that it could be any cake or bread but always sweet and served with a cup of coffee.

Yield: 12

Easy Coffee Crumb Cake Recipe Without Sour Cream

There is a white 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish with a yellow cake in it. There is a cinnamon, sugar, and chopped pecans topping on the cake. There is a square piece cut out of the cake. There is a small white plate next to the pan. There is a square piece of the coffee cake on the plate. There is a silver fork resting on the plate behind the piece of cake. There is a gray cloth napkin behind the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

A timeless treat that is so scrumptious and made without sour cream.

With a tender crumb, cinnamon streusel topping, and a heavenly aroma, this delicious coffee cake will undoubtedly become a family favorite!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • For Crumb Topping
  • 1 Cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 Cup white sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 Cup unsalted butter - melted
  • 1/3 -1/2 Cup chopped pecans - optional
  • For Wet Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 Cup milk
  • 1 Cup vegetable oil
  • 2 Large eggs - slightly beaten and at room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • For Dry Ingredients
  • 3 Cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Cup white sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-x-13-inch baking dish or line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Streusel - In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Mix well and set aside.
  4. Lightly beat room temperature eggs in a small bowl.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Throughly whisk ingredients.
  6. In a separate large bowl, blend flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  7. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well.
  8. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. 
  9. Use a rubber spatula to smooth batter into an even layer.
  10. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel on top of the cake batter. 
  11. Carefully spoon the remaining batter over the cinnamon filling (streusel) layer. 
  12. Sprinkle the remaining streusel mixture over the top of the coffee cake batter.
  13. If using chopped pecans, sprinkle evenly on top of the streusel.
  14. Melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave or in a small sauce pan on the stove top.
  15. Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake.
  16. Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Insert a toothpick, paring knife, or cake tester into the center of the cake to check if the crumb is set.
  17. Use oven mitts and remove from the oven.
  18. Let the cake cool for about 15 minutes on a wire rack.
  19. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large mixing bowls (2)
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven mitts
  • Cake tester or toothpick
  • Wire cooling rack

Let's Talk Ingredients And Variations

Whole milk - Buttermilk or low fat milk can be substituted.

Vegetable Oil - Use coconut oil or applesauce instead.

Pecans - Add your favorite chopped nuts. Sliced almonds and walnuts are very popular and tasty on a cinnamon coffee cake.

Add Fruit - Toss in some fresh blueberries, sliced peaches or chopped dates.

How To Store

  • If by chance there is any leftover coffee cake, tightly seal the top of the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The coffee cake can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • To freeze - Tightly wrap with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Did you make this recipe?

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