Bisquick Coffee Cake

My simple Bisquick coffee cake is packed with cinnamon goodness for the perfect comforting breakfast. I always whip up a batch to please my kids on a relaxing weekend.

My Favorite Bisquick Coffee Cake recipe

I stumbled upon my Bisquick coffee cake recipe on a lazy Sunday morning when I found a box of Bisquick in the pantry and thought, why not? It was one of those days when my cup of coffee just needed a sweet companion.

I wanted the coffee cake to be super moist, so I added a little sour cream to the wet ingredients before assembling and baking. As always, the smell of something delicious in the oven summoned my whole family, and I was excited to see what everyone thought of their first piece.

As soon as I sliced into the cinnamon coffee cake, I could tell the texture was exactly what I wanted. It was so moist with the perfect crumb! And my son Connor couldn’t stop talking about the glaze on top. He said it made it a “real cake” and didn’t understand why we were eating it for breakfast. But don’t worry. He was shoving forkfuls in his mouth as he said it.

Now, I whip up one of these coffee cakes any time we’re hosting family for the holidays, like Christmas, special occasions, or just on a relaxing weekend for the kids to enjoy.

Coffee Cake ingredients

• Original Bisquick mix – The base of the coffee cake to make this recipe easier
• Brown sugar – Adds additional moisture and caramelized flavor to the crumb topping
• Ground cinnamon – For that warm-spice flavor that makes the coffee cake so good
• Cold butter – Chilled butter won’t melt as fast in the oven, which helps keep the texture fluffy and light for the streusel topping
• Sugar – Granulated sugar adds sweetness
• Eggs – Helps bind the coffee cake 
• Sour cream – Adds moisture and a little tanginess that balances the sweetness. Greek yogurt or plain regular yogurt can be used in a 1:1 ratio for similar tanginess and texture
• Milk – Whole milk is best for baking, but I’ve replaced it with 2% milk in a pinch
• Vanilla extract – Gives the cake an extra layer of flavor
• Powdered sugar – Use for the glaze mixture on top
• Heavy cream – Can be substituted with milk when needed

Tips For the Best Coffee Cake Recipe

• Choose what size baking dish to use based on what the Bisquick sour cream coffee cake is for. I prefer to use a 13×9 size dish for this coffee cake recipe, but I sometimes divide between two smaller pans if I’m planning to freeze half.
• A serrated knife is best for slicing. I’ve found it’s great for cutting through the crumbly streusel topping without dragging it through the cake.
• I spoon the Bisquick mix into a measuring cup without packing it down, then level off the excess with the flat edge of a knife to get the perfect amount.
• Use cold butter for the streusel topping. I find this trick gives the topping the best crumbly texture. Using a pastry blender makes this step easier.
• Let the cake cool before adding the glaze. Otherwise, the glaze will melt and separate.

How to Make Coffee Cake

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9×13” baking pan and set it aside.

STEP TWO: Prepare the topping by mixing together the Bisquick, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then cut in the butter and set it in the fridge.

STEP THREE: In a large bowl whisk together the Bisquick, sugar, egg, sour cream, milk, and vanilla until smooth. The batter will be sticky.

STEP FOUR: Spread about ½ the batter into the prepared pan, it will be a thin layer.

STEP FIVE: Pull the cinnamon mixture out of the fridge and sprinkle on about half of it, then add the remaining batter in small dollops on top. Carefully smooth the remaining batter over the cinnamon filling. Top with the remaining crumble mixture.

STEP SIX: Bake it in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the coffee cake cool.

STEP SEVEN: Add the cream to the powdered sugar, and mix until smooth, then drizzle it over the top of the cake.

STEP EIGHT: Allow the glaze to set for 15 minutes before serving the cake.

Bisquick Coffee Cake variations and Substitutions

• Mix chopped pecans into the streusel cake topping. I love this crunchy twist on the old-fashioned sour cream coffee cake!
• Fold fresh blueberries into the cake batter. It adds a nice fruity touch, and my kids love the bursts of color.
• Incorporate diced apples or pears into the batter. I think these fruits are really nice in the late summer or fall and go so nicely with the cinnamon.
• Add a teaspoon of nutmeg for even more warm spice. This is especially tasty in the winter!
• Serve extra glaze on the side for drizzling or dipping. My kids can never get enough of the gooey glaze!

What to Serve with This Easy Coffee Cake Recipe

I love pairing my Bisquick coffee cake with the crispiness of oven baked bacon and the savory comfort of my easy hash brown casserole for a heartier breakfast.

For a complete brunch spread, I serve cinnamon streusel coffee cake with shredded hash browns, turkey bacon in the oven, and air fryer sausage patties.

Bisquick Coffee Cake FAQs

How to store this coffee cake recipe

To store leftover coffee cake, I let it cool completely, then transfer the remaining slices to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap.

Depending on how quickly I think it will be eaten, I’ll either keep the coffee cake on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to reheat it in small spurts in the microwave.

How to make this Bisquick coffee cake recipe more moist

My best advice for a super moist coffee cake is to make sure the ratio of wet ingredients to dry ingredients is correct. I measure all my dry ingredients using the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.

Why do people like coffee cake?

Coffee cake is always a crowd pleaser with my family! I’ve never met anyone that could resist the tender, moist crumb, sweet cinnamon-infused flavor, or delightful streusel topping. And, despite it’s name, the recipe doesn’t actually have coffee in it. It just pairs well with the bitterness of coffee.

What does sour cream do to coffee cake?

Sour cream is great for adding moisture and a little tang to coffee cake. In my recipe, I’ve found it gives the cake a finer, more tender crumb and richer flavor, so I never skip it!

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

• Brioche french toast casserole
• Monkey bread
• Cinnamon roll casserole
• Banana fosters pancakes