The Ultimate Bisquick Coffee Cake Recipe: Easy, Delicious, and Perfect for Any Occasion
Have you ever craved a warm, cinnamon-scented coffee cake but thought it was too complicated to make from scratch? The good news is that with a bisquick coffee cake recipe, you can enjoy a bakery-quality treat in under an hour with minimal effort. Making coffee cake at home not only saves money but also allows you to control ingredients, customize flavors, and fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. This bisquick coffee cake recipe easy approach transforms a simple baking mix into a show-stopping breakfast or dessert that rivals anything from a coffee shop. Whether you're hosting brunch, celebrating a special morning, or simply treating yourself, this recipe delivers tender, buttery cake with a sweet crumbly topping every single time.
Ingredients List
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Timing / Cooking Schedule
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
This recipe is faster than making traditional coffee cake from scratch and perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. For easier removal, line the bottom with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If using nuts, fold them in now. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Batter In a medium bowl, whisk together Bisquick mix, milk, sugar, egg, vanilla, and melted butter until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy—overmixing will result in a tough cake. This is the essence of any bisquick coffee cake recipe easy method: simplicity without sacrificing texture.
Step 4: Assemble and Top Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the surface, covering the entire batter.
Step 5: Bake Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tip: For extra moisture, brush the warm cake with melted butter immediately after removing from the oven.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (serves 9):
- Calories: 215
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Vitamin C: 0% DV
- Iron: 6% DV
Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice
Flavor Variations: - Add 1/2 cup fresh blueberries or diced apples to the batter for fruity sweetness - Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice or cardamom for a unique twist - Drizzle with cream cheese glaze (mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, and milk)
Dietary Swaps: - For gluten-free: Use gluten-free Bisquick mix - For dairy-free: Substitute almond milk and vegan butter - For lower sugar: Use a sugar substitute in both batter and topping
Meal Prep Tips: Double the recipe and freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for quick breakfasts throughout the month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overmixing the Batter: Stirring too vigorously develops gluten, making the cake dense and chewy. Mix just until ingredients are incorporated—lumps are okay.
Skipping the Preheat: Putting the pan in a cold oven leads to uneven rising and a gummy texture. Always preheat fully.
Using Warm Butter in Streusel: Cold butter is crucial for creating crumbly topping. Warm butter will melt into the flour and create a paste instead of texture.
Overbaking: Check at 22 minutes. Overbaked coffee cake becomes dry. The toothpick should have a few moist crumbs, not be completely clean.
Cutting Too Soon: Letting the cake cool allows the structure to set. Cutting immediately causes crumbling and messy slices.
Storage / Leftovers Tips
Store leftover bisquick coffee cake recipe portions at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The streusel topping may soften slightly in the fridge, but flavor remains excellent.
For freezing, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2 hours.
To reheat, microwave single slices for 15-20 seconds or warm the entire cake in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. This bisquick coffee cake recipe easy storage method ensures you always have a delicious treat ready whenever the craving strikes. For best texture, avoid reheating more than once, as repeated warming can dry out the cake.