This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
This cake mix coffee cake is so easy and yummy! You are going to love this moist cake with a buttery cinnamon and sugar crumb topping.
Featured with this Recipe
This coffee cake is light and fluffy, yet moist and delicious. It starts with a box mix, making it simple! It is so easy to do and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand. This is a pretty versatile dish, too, you can add things or take them away as you like.
You can add chopped-up apples to the crumb topping. Blueberries or shredded coconut make great additions, too! My favorite substitution is using coconut oil instead of vegetable or canola oil. It adds a slight coconut-y flavor which I love, plus it is better for you!
Works Well For A Crowd
This cake mix coffee cake is a great dish if you are having guests over and a staple for brunch. It is relatively cheap to make and it serves up to 15 people. It is a winner for kids and adults alike! For a breakfast spread that rivals any B&B, serve with eggs, bacon, fruit, and yogurt.
For more breakfast ideas, check out our post 35+ Easy Breakfast Ideas.
Cake Mix Coffee Cake Ingredients
Cake mix and coffee cake are made in layers! It has a cake mix base with a sweet and savory streusel crumble topping. It is the perfect combination!
- Yellow cake mix – Serves as the base of the coffee cake. Make this even easier with a box cake mix. It will still taste like it is made from scratch! You can also use our homemade cake mix in place of the cake mix and oil in this recipe.
- Vanilla pudding mix – Adding pudding mix to your cakes makes them so rich and moist!
- Water – Adds moisture to the cake mix coffee cake.
- Buttermilk – This gives your coffee cake a bright, tangy flavor and adds to the moisture. You can substitute regular milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice if needed.
- Oil – I like to use coconut oil, but you can use vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Eggs – Large eggs help bind the ingredients together giving it moisture and a fluffy texture.
- Sour cream – This will truly take your cake to the next level. Don’t leave it out!
Streusel Crumble Topping
The streusel topping is easily combined with a few pantry staple ingredients that are easy to mix. This streusel crumble topping will need to be mixed and will have a light and grainy-sandy texture. It is delicious on the top of the coffee cake with the best texture!
- Sugar – You will use both light brown sugar and white granulated sugar for this streusel crumble topping.
- Flour – All-purpose flour thickens the crumble and helps separate the wet and dry ingredients.
- Cinnamon – Savory seasoning with a warm flavor!
- Salt – Adds flavor but also balances out the sweet and savory.
- Unsalted butter – The butter needs to be very cold, not at room temperature or melted butter. Pop it in the freezer for a few minutes if needed. If the butter is too warm, then you won’t get that delicious crumbly texture.
- Walnuts – The nuts are optional. You could also use pecans! Chop the walnuts up into the
Steps for Making Cake Mix Coffee Cake
Making cake mix coffee cake is so simple and makes it even better when using a cake mix! The dry ingredients are whisked together with the wet ingredients forming the cake batter. The smell of this cake mix coffee cake baking is going to make you have all the feels!
- Whisk – In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry and wet cake batter ingredients, except for the sour cream. Then, fold in the sour cream using a spatula or large spoon. Pour into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix – Then a separate medium bowl, combine all topping ingredients except butter and walnuts.
- Combine – Cut the butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Mix with a fork, a pastry cutter, or your hands until crumbly. Stir in the walnuts. Optional: sprinkle in a little vanilla extract.
- Prepare and bake – Sprinkle half of the topping onto the cake and use a knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter. Pour the rest of the mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Serve – Finally, cut and serve! This coffee cake is delicious warm or cooled. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or cover the pan with plastic wrap.
- Drizzle – For some added sweetness drizzle a little cream cheese frosting glaze or sprinkle on some powdered sugar over the top.
Tips for Cake Mix Coffee Cake
These are great ways to help make the best cake mix coffee cake! Try another type of cake mix, add in seasoning, or make it look decadent for that special occasion. Follow these helpful tips when making this cake mix coffee cake!
- Cake mix – Choose a high-end, high-quality type of cake mix. You can also use a yellow cake mix, butter pecan mix cake, or cinnamon swirl cake mix.
- Cooking spray – Before adding the cake mix coffee cake batter, spray the outside of the baking dish with cooking spray. This will help the cake slice and serve easily.
- Seasoning – Spice it up a little more with allspice, nutmeg, or cardamom.
- Moist cake – For a more moist cake you can use yogurt or sour cream. It adds richness and a soft texture. Greek yogurt usually is best because it is thicker.
- Nut options – Try different variations of nuts for your cake mix coffee cake like pecans.
- Drizzle – Make a glaze to drizzle over top of the cake mix coffee cake. This adds a special touch that makes it stand out above the rest.
“I followed this to a T and used Duncin Hines Super Moist mix and it came out great! Will definitely be doing this again! Thanks for the recipe!”
-Dori
Frequently Asked Questions
Because it is typically served with coffee. While common in the United States, coffee cake is thought to have originated from Germany, where people would eat a similar type of sweet bread with coffee in informal social gatherings.
No, the coffee in the name refers to a cake eaten with coffee. It is great as a breakfast dish, a side, or a dessert, and can be enjoyed any time of the day!
Stick a toothpick in the center of the baked cake. If it comes out dry the cake is done cooking. If it comes out wet or has batter on it, the cake needs a little more time to bake.
Storing and Reheating Cake Mix Coffee Cake
This cake mix coffee cake is so easy to store and reheat for another dessert date! Simply bake your cake and let it cool before storing. You will be thanking yourself for keeping at least a slice for the next day!
- Leftovers – Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last about four to five days.
- Reheat – You can eat it cold but if you like it warm just do 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave per slice. This will warm it through just enough!
READ NEXT: 33+ Breakfast Ideas
More Recipes Like This
If you love this recipe, you should also try our other yummy flavors of coffee cake recipes! Our Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is one of my all-time favorites! Although I think it is a pretty close tie with our Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Both are so good, you can’t go wrong! It works out fine because I can make the pumpkin during the fall and the blueberry in the spring. And you want to try our Cranberry Almond Coffee Cake during the Holidays!
How to Make Cake Mix Coffee Cake
Cake Mix Coffee Cake
Video
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 yellow cake mix (15 to 18 ounce mix)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup oil (coconut oil works great)
- 3 large eggs
- 3.4 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
For the topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and pudding mix. Beat with a mixer for about 2 minutes. Fold in sour cream.
- In a smaller bowl, combine sugars, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut butter into small pieces and add to the sugar mixture. Mix together with a fork or pastry blender until crumbly. Stir in walnuts.
- Pour batter into a greased 9×13 glass baking dish. Sprinkle half of the topping over the batter. Use a knife to swirl the mixture throughout the cake.
- Top evenly with the remaining topping.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
I’m a bit confused. I don’t see anything that says add baking powder for rise. But a few comments said they did it as suggested and it worked….. anyone clarify that?
Someone in the comments said they added 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder based off a recipe they found in a cookbook. People have tried it and said it works well!
It’s in the cake mix?
You are right