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+ servings
A piece of cinnamon coffee cake on a plate with a bite on a fork.

Coffee Cake Recipe With Yellow Cake Mix

A soft and moist coffee cake made easy with a box of yellow cake mix and instant pudding. Layered with a buttery cinnamon streusel and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, this classic recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any special occasion.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course breakfast, brunch, dessert, snack
Cuisine American
Servings 20 pieces

Equipment

  • 9" x 13" pan
  • Electric Mixer
  • Whisk
  • Mixing Bowls

Ingredients
  

Cinnamon Streusel Filling and Topping:

  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cubed

Cake:

  • 13.5 ounce yellow cake mix
  • 5 ounce instant vanilla pudding not cook and serve
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon butter flavoring

Icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" x 13" glass or metal baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Set aside while you mix the ingredients.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will be your cinnamon mixture for both the center and the top of the cake. Pop the bowl in the fridge until you're ready to layer it in.
    1 cup light brown sugar, 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the box of yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, vegetable oil, water, vanilla extract, and butter flavoring with an electric mixer, until smooth.
    13.5 ounce yellow cake mix, 5 ounce instant vanilla pudding, ½ cup vegetable oil, ¾ cup water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon butter flavoring
  • Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out into a thin, even layer. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just enough to cover the bottom.
  • Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel mixture evenly over the cake batter. This layer gives the center of the cake its cozy, cinnamon roll-like swirl.
  • Dollop the rest of the batter over the cinnamon layer. Use a spatula to gently spread it out—it’s okay if some streusel peeks through. Finish by sprinkling the remaining brown sugar mixture over the top of the cake batter.
  • Bake the coffee cake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. The top of the cake should be golden with a slightly crisp streusel topping. Let the entire cake cool completely in the pan before icing.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1-2 Tablespoons of milk (or non-dairy milk if needed). If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time. Drizzle the classic vanilla glaze over the crumble topping.
    1 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 Tablespoons milk

Notes

Freezing & Storing Leftovers
Keep coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for about a week. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
Allow the coffee cake to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in an airtight freezer container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes.
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