There’s something about the smell of cinnamon and butter drifting through the kitchen on a Saturday morning while everyone’s still half-asleep and coffee’s brewing on the counter. Made with a handful of simple ingredients and a crumb topping so good you’ll want to sneak a bite before it even cools.
This old-fashioned Bisquick version keeps things simple, which is why it’s been a breakfast-table staple for generations. Bake it up in a 9×13, and you’ve got a whole tray of deliciousness ready for lazy mornings, family gatherings, potlucks, or just because the weekend deserves a sweet treat.
What I Love About This Classic Recipe
- Ridiculously easy – The convenience of Bisquick makes it a simple recipe with no fuss or mixer needed.
- Made with pantry staples – a box of Bisquick, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- That crumb topping – sweet, buttery, and a little crisp on top.
- A true family favorite – this is a recipe that gets requested again and again.
- Great for any occasion – with your morning coffee (it’s called coffee cake for a reason), brunch, an afternoon snack, or dessert.
- Make-ahead friendly – bake it the night before for stress-free mornings.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 30-40 minutes
- Servings: 15 to 18 pieces
- Prep level: Beginner +

Ingredient Notes
- Bisquick baking mix: The star of the show. It gives it structure and flavor, so don’t swap it out.
- Salted butter, melted: Used in both the batter and the topping. Melted makes it easy to mix in, and the salt helps balance all that sweetness. If you only have unsalted on hand, add a little bit of salt to make up for it.
- Sugar: A mix of granulated in the batter and light brown sugar in the topping gives you the best flavor combo.
- Cinnamon: This is where the flavor really lives, so go generous with it.
- Milk: Whole milk makes the cake extra soft, but 2% works fine too.
- Large eggs: Help everything bind together and give the cake a little lift.
- Vanilla: Optional but recommended. It rounds out the sweetness nicely.

Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Mix the streusel ingredients


Heat oven and grease a large baking dish. Combine 2 cups Bisquick, brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1/2 stick melted butter. Mix until you have a crumb-like texture. Set aside.
2
Make the batter


In a large bowl, combine the 3 cups Bisquick, sugar, milk, eggs, and melted butter. Mix until just combined (don’t overmix); a few lumps are okay.
3
Assemble and bake the coffee cake


Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle topping evenly over the top of the cake, edge to edge.
Place in the preheated oven and bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
4
​Cool and let rest


Let the cake cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for complete measurements and baking temperature.


Laura Belle’s Tips
- Measure your Bisquick correctly – the best way is to spoon it into a measuring cup, then level it off with a knife (per box lid instructions). Scooping straight from the box packs in extra mix and can make your cake dense or dry.
- Don’t overmix the batter – a few lumps are fine. Overmixing makes the cake dense instead of tender.
- Check early – start peeking at 28 minutes since ovens vary. You want a moist Bisquick coffee cake with a golden brown streusel, not dry.
- Let it cool before slicing – for the best texture and cutting, the coffee cake should rest before slicing. This allows the steam to set into the cake. Slicing too soon may result in a gummy texture or a crumbly mess.
- Store leftover coffee cake, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. A quick 10-second microwave zap brings it back to fresh-baked warmth.


What to Serve with Bisquick Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- A cup of coffee – it’s called coffee cake for a reason. It’s a classic combination.
- Fresh fruit – berries or sliced peaches add a little brightness to balance out the sweet crumb.
- Scrambled eggs and bacon for a full brunch spread. The savory complements the sweetness perfectly.
- A dollop of whipped cream if you’re serving it more dessert-style.
- A drizzle of glaze or icing on top – powdered sugar and a splash of milk.
More Coffee Cakes to Love
If you loved this recipe, you’re in good company! Coffee cake is basically an obsession over here, and I’ve got a few more to share with you:
- A reader favorite: Easy Coffee Crumb Cake (no sour cream) – proof you don’t need sour cream to get moist crumbs.
- For a taste of tradition, try Grandma’s New England Coffee Cake. It’s old-school and unforgettable.
- Feeling seasonal? My Pumpkin Coffee Cake brings all the cozy fall vibes with a coffee-cake twist.
- And if you’re craving something fruity, Family Around the Table has an incredible Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe that you need to check out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, but the baking time will change. A 9×9 square pan will need longer to bake, closer to 40-45 minutes since it’s thicker. Keep an eye on the edges so they don’t over-brown.
Totally. Bake it the night before, cover it, and leave it at room temperature. It’s just as good the next day.
Yes! Let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it at room temperature or warm individual slices in the microwave.
Definitely, peaches, chopped apple, or blueberries all fold in nicely. Toss them in a little flour or Bisquick first so they don’t sink to the bottom.
This usually happens if the topping is too wet or the batter is too thin. Make sure your topping is crumbly and don’t skip letting it cool before slicing.
Easy Old Fashioned Bisquick Coffee Cake (9×13 size)
This easy Bisquick coffee cake is soft, buttery, and topped with a cinnamon crumb that turns golden in the oven. Full of nostalgic and family-favorite flavor.
Ingredients
- Streusel topping:
- 2 cups of Bisquick
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 8 tablespoons of melted butter (1 stick salted)
- Coffee cake batter:
- 3 cups of Bisquick
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted (1/2 stick)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Make the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups Bisquick, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand. It may take 2-3 minutes of mixing to achieve this texture. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir or whisk together 3 cups of Bisquick, sugar, milk, 2 eggs (slightly beaten), vanilla extract, and melted butter until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are totally fine.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter. (I use my fingers, but you can use a spoon).
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake and the top is golden and slightly crisp.Â
- Let cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Needed Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- whisk
- rubber spatula
- cooling rack
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 514Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 1085mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 8g







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