Coffee Cake Muffins

Vanilla Coffee Cake Muffins are fluffy, buttery and delicious. Topped with a crunchy homemade pecan streusel, these vanilla muffins are a sweet addition to any weekend breakfast or brunch. Makes 12 muffins.

Love brunch at home? Don’t skip Fresh Strawberry Scones, Hearty Quiche and Prosecco Mimosa!

Three Coffee Cake Muffins are stacked on top of each other in front of a coffee mug and a wire cooling rack holding more muffins

Coffee cake has always been one of my favorites.

When I was a kid, the members of my parents’ Sunday school class rotated bringing breakfast every week.

I always loved when it was my parents’ turn because my mom usually baked a Sour Cream Coffee Cake, complete with a crumbly topping.

She’d bring the whole cake to their class, and I always found myself hoping there would be leftovers.

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    However, I never understood why it was called a coffee cake. 

    This was, obviously, waaaaaaaaaaaay before I was introduced to the comforts of a cup of coffee and how delightful coffee cake is paired with it.

    Why I love this recipe:

    These Coffee Cake Muffins remind me of that recipe my mom made.

    They’re chock full of vanilla flavors and scents… and they’re also really buttery.

    The pecan streusel has a lovely crunch, and the whole combination is just lovely.

    They are perfect kind of decadent treat to start off a morning or an at-home brunch.

    As our older daughter said, “The vanilla is really good!”

    These muffins are fluffy with a tangy cake base.

    The crumb topping is crispy and sweet. Not only does it add texture inside the muffins, but it adds crunchy sweetness on top, too.

    Other muffin recipes to try: Pumpkin Brown Butter Streusel Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze | Dark Chocolate Chunk Muffins | Vegan Banana Muffins | Dairy-Free Blueberry Lemon Crumble Muffins | Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins

    Need some breakfast or brunch assistance? Head on over to my Breakfast and Brunch recipe index for inspiration!

    Ingredients for muffins sit in bowls on a marble countertop on top of a gray striped towel

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Unsalted butter—you’re going to need a stick and a half, or 12 tablespoons total
    • Granulated sugar—also known as white sugar, this is our sweetener for the muffins. There is no substitute.
    • Vanilla—this recipe calls for vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract. They add amazing flavor to the muffin base, and I highly recommend using both.
    • Greek yogurt—this adds creaminess to our muffin recipe and is used in place of traditional sour cream. Greek yogurt is lower in fat than sour cream, but I like the combination of it with the butter and other muffin ingredients.
    • Eggs—we’ll need them to give the muffins structure, as well as some rise.
    • All-purpose flour—I always use unbleached AP flour, but you can use the regular kind, too.
    • Leaveners—we’re using both baking powder and baking soda in this recipe. Make sure they’re fresh!
    • Kosher salt—I’m partial to fine kosher salt. Fine sea salt would also work here.
    • Brown sugar—I call out dark brown sugar here, but if you only have light brown sugar, that works, too!
    • Pecans—or walnuts. Chop ’em yourself to vary the texture or purchase the pre-chopped kind from the store. They all work.
    A collage of six images showing how to make vanilla muffin batter

    How to make Coffee Cake Muffins

    First and foremost, preheat the oven.

    Also, line a muffin tin with paper muffin baking cups. Set ’em aside for later.

    Make the muffin batter

    In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and fluffy .

    Add the eggs, vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract and Greek yogurt. Use the hand mixer to blend ’em until smooth. These are considered our wet ingredients.

    In a separate bowl, measure out the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Use a whisk or a rubber spatula to stir until combined.

    Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet, blending until just combined.

    A collage of six images showing how to put together the pecan streusel topping and the muffins before baking

    Make the streusel topping

    Combine the brown sugar, flour, butter and vanilla extract in a smaller bowl.

    Mix ’em until combined.

    Add the pecans, and stir those in, too.

    When combined, set aside.

    Prepare and bake the muffins

    Dollop 2 tablespoons of the batter using a cookie scoop into the bottom of each baking cup.

    Sprinkle a little of the streusel on top of the muffin batter. I used about 1 tablespoon per muffin, but you can eyeball it.

    Add an additional 1 tablespoon scoop of the muffin batter on top. Smooth it down with a spatula, butter knife or offset spatula.

    Sprinkle additional streusel on top of each muffin.

    Transfer the muffins to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins have risen, are golden brown and are cooked through.

    How do I know when they’re done?

    The tops of the muffins will be golden brown. But also give them a test by inserting a toothpick and checking the toothpick when removed to confirm the muffins are not raw in the middle.

    Allow 5-10 minutes to cool on a wire rack, then enjoy!

    A collage of two images showing Coffee Cake Muffins in a tin before baking and after

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What makes a coffee cake a coffee cake?

    The general line of thinking is that coffee cake is made with and/or intended to be enjoyed with coffee.

    Some people like coffee in their coffee cakes. I am not one of those people. πŸ˜‰

    Do you eat coffee cake for breakfast?

    Absolutely. These coffee cake muffins make for a delightfully sweet and buttery breakfast treat.

    Can I take this muffin recipe and bake it like a classic coffee cake?

    Technically, you could take this muffin batter and bake it in a bundt pan* (affiliate link) like a classic coffee cake. However, I have no clue how long it would take to bake or what it would look like, especially since the streusel topping would not actually be on top of the cake.

    You could swirl it through the cake batter, though, and I’m sure that would be delicious.

    What substitutions can I make in this homemade muffin recipe?

    I’ve changed this recipe over the years for consistency’s sake, as well as for the sake of not needing extra special ingredients if you don’t have these on hand in your home.

    Here are some ways to infuse more vanilla into the coffee cakes:

    Substitute ¼ cup vanilla sugar for the same amount of regular granulated sugar.

    Instead of vanilla bean paste, scrap the seeds from a whole vanilla bean and toss those into the batter.

    If you are dairy free, use room temperature coconut oil in place of the softened butter. Use melted coconut oil in place of the melted butter. Use an unflavored or vanilla dairy free yogurt, too!

    Coffee Cake Muffins sit on a wire cooling rack next to a gray striped towel

    Quick tips and tricks to the best coffeecake muffins

    • Bake ’em in advance for a playdate or kid-centric gathering. My kids adore these muffins, and yours might, too!
    • Make ’em dairy free with a few swaps. (In fact, this was developed as a dairy free recipe.) Use coconut oil and dairy free yogurt in place of the butter and Greek yogurt.
    • Don’t skimp on the vanilla. You really can taste it, and that makes this coffee cake muffin recipe feel special!
    • Store ’em on the countertop covered for 1-2 days. The streusel topping will become less crisp the longer the muffins sit out, but their flavors are still amazing.
    A halved Coffee Cake Muffin sits on a pottery plate in front of coffee mugs and a wire cooling rack holding more muffins

    More muffin recipes to try:

    Coffee Cake Muffins sit on a wire cooling rack next to a gray striped towel
    Yield: 12 muffins

    Vanilla Bean Coffee Cake Muffins

    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes

    Fluffy, delicious Vanilla Bean Coffee Cake Muffins, filled and topped with a pecan streusel. These muffins are the perfect sweet addition to any weekend breakfast or brunch!

    Ingredients

    Muffins

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ¾ cup Greek yogurt
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Pecan Streusel

    • 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place paper muffin baking cups on a muffin tray, and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.

    Make the muffins

    1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
    2. Add the eggs, vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract and Greek yogurt, blending until smooth.
    3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and whisk until combined.
    4. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until just combined.

    Prepare the streusel topping

    1. In a smaller bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, butter, pecans and vanilla extract.
    2. Mix until combined, and set aside.

    Prepare and bake the muffins

    1. Use a cookie scoop to dollop 2 tablespoons into the base of each baking cup.
    2. Sprinkle a little of the streusel topping on top of the muffin batter. I used about 1 tablespoon per muffin.
    3. Top each muffin with an additional 1 tablespoon of muffin batter. Smooth down the batter with a spatula or offset spatula.
    4. Top each muffin with more streusel topping, too.
    5. Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins have risen, are golden brown and are cooked through. Be sure to test them by inserting a toothpick and checking the pick when removed to confirm the muffins are not raw in the middle.
    6. Allow 5-10 minutes to cool, then enjoy warm!

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from Laughing Spatula's Ultimate Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

    I've changed this recipe over the years for consistency's sake, as well as for the sake of not needing extra special ingredients if you don't have these on hand in your home. Here are some ways to infuse more vanilla into the coffee cakes:

    • Substitute ¼ cup vanilla sugar for the same amount of regular granulated sugar.
    • Instead of vanilla bean paste, scrap the seeds from a whole vanilla bean and toss those into the batter.
    • If you are dairy free, use room temperature coconut oil in place of the softened butter. Use melted coconut oil for the melted butter. Use an unflavored dairy free yogurt, too!

    Quick tips and tricks to the best coffee cake muffins

    • Bake 'em in advance for a playdate or kid-centric gathering. My kids adore these muffins, and yours might, too!
    • Don't skimp on the vanilla. You really can taste it, and that makes these coffee cake muffins feel special!
    • Store 'em on the countertop covered for 1-2 days. The streusel topping will become less crisp the longer the muffins sit out, but their flavors are still amazing.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12 muffins

    Serving Size:

    1 muffin

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 5g

    Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

    How much did you love this recipe?

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    This post was originally published on January 9, 2015. The text and images were updated and republished in February 2021.

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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    8 Comments

    1. These look fabulous – what a great use of my recipe! Nice pics and beautiful post – thanks for tagging me.
      Kathi

      1. Thanks, Kathi! I had fun changing up your recipe to fit what I had in my pantry and fridge… and they taste delicious! Who doesn’t love coffee cake?

    2. Coffee Cake is one of my favorite sweet treats. I haven’t ever baked one, but I’ve enjoyed the cakes and muffins are tons of office parties. I like them in the morning with coffee of course. πŸ™‚

      1. Coffee cake is such a wonderful sweet treat, and it’s not too challenging to make, either! I hope this recipe gives you inspiration to make your own and to enjoy it with a cup of coffee at home!

    3. This muffins look so elegant. Not your average muffin recipe. The pecan streusel gives them texture and a more complex flavor. Can’t wait to try it out!
      Thanks for sharing your recipe at our Sunday Recipe Link Up Party.

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