Name: Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 34 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups pancake mix (mix that requires only adding water); ⅓ cup sugar; ½ cup milk, room temperature; ½ cup sour cream, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; ¼ cup pancake mix; ¼ cup brown sugar; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (included from batter, but can be extra as needed); ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon milk

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 33 reviews

If you’re looking for a warm, cozy treat that’s both incredibly simple to make and impossible to resist, this Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It takes just a few pantry staples and turns them into a tender, moist cake with a perfectly sweet crumb topping that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a busy home cook, this recipe proves that sometimes the easiest ingredients can make the most delicious desserts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A square baking pan with golden brown crumb topping covers a soft, light yellow cake base underneath. The crumb layer is uneven with small clusters of darker brown sugar crumbs scattered over the surface, creating a bumpy texture. The pan is placed on a white cloth with subtle colored stripes on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe lies in its modest, easy-to-find ingredients. Each one plays a vital role: pancake mix provides the structure, sour cream keeps the cake incredibly moist, vanilla adds depth of flavor, and the crumb topping delivers that signature cinnamon-sugar crunch we all love.

2 ½ cups pancake mix: The base of the cake, creating a light and fluffy texture with minimal effort.
⅓ cup sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough without overpowering flavor.
½ cup milk, room temperature: Keeps the batter smooth and blendable for even cooking.
½ cup sour cream, room temperature: Adds tanginess and moisture that elevate the cake to the next level.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and richness into every bite.
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Essential for the crumb topping’s buttery crunch.
¼ cup pancake mix: For the crumb topping, to bring texture and a subtle flavor continuity.
¼ cup brown sugar: Offers caramel-like sweetness and color to the crumb layer.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: The aromatic spice that makes coffee cake so inviting.
Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Optional glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 Tablespoon milk to drizzle a sweet finish.

How to Make Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 metal baking pan by greasing it with butter on the bottom and sides. For even easier removal after baking, consider lining it with parchment paper with overhangs—this simple step will give you a neat lift when the cake is ready.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups pancake mix and ⅓ cup sugar. This creates the dry foundation that will combine beautifully with the wet ingredients for a balanced cake consistency.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Add ½ cup milk, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to your dry mix. Stir everything just until combined—overmixing can make your cake tough, and we want it tender and soft!

Step 4: Spread the Batter

The batter will be thick but that’s perfect! Spread it evenly into your prepared pan, using an offset spatula if you have one to get smooth edges and an even surface for baking.

Step 5: Prepare the Crumb Topping

In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, ¼ cup pancake mix, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mash these together with a fork until crumbly. This topping is what makes this Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe so special—a crunchy, sweet contrast to the soft cake.

Step 6: Sprinkle and Bake

Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter. Bake in your preheated oven for 22 to 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That golden top will signal your coffee cake is ready to enjoy.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Let the cake cool completely in the pan. If you’re feeling fancy, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to create a simple glaze and drizzle it over—this optional touch adds a lovely sweetness and visual appeal.

How to Serve Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe

A square baking pan filled with a thick, golden-yellow cake base as the bottom layer, topped with a textured layer of crumbly brown cinnamon sugar streusel spread unevenly across the surface, and finished with a thin drizzle of white icing running diagonally in parallel lines over the streusel. The pan is on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar works wonders for a quick finish, but if you want to step it up, a drizzle of that smooth glaze or a few fresh berries can brighten both look and flavor.

Side Dishes

This coffee cake pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Of course, a hot cup of your favorite coffee or tea makes for the perfect companion to this delightful treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the coffee cake into small squares for a brunch buffet, serve warm with a scoop of mascarpone for dessert, or stack layers with whipped cream and fruit for an impromptu coffee cake trifle. This recipe is flexible and invites a bit of creativity!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps it fresh while maintaining that wonderful crumb texture.

Freezing

Want to save some for later? Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place slices in a freezer bag. It freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To recapture that freshly baked feel, warm slices slightly in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or toast them lightly in a toaster oven. The crumb topping will crisp back up, and the cake will taste like you just pulled it from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use a different pancake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure you use a pancake mix that requires only adding water, as this recipe relies on those specific proportions for perfect texture.

Is sour cream necessary in the recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tang that perks up the flavor, but if you don’t have any, plain yogurt can be a good substitute.

Can I make this gluten-free?

If you use a gluten-free pancake mix, this recipe works perfectly for a gluten-free coffee cake that everyone can enjoy.

What is the best way to ensure the crumb topping stays crunchy?

Make sure to spread the crumb topping evenly and bake until it’s golden and set. Cooling completely before glazing helps maintain that delightful crunch.

Can I add nuts or fruit to the cake?

Yes! Fold in chopped nuts or fresh berries into the batter before baking for an extra dimension of flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a coffee cake that feels like it’s homemade yet requires minimum fuss, and this Pancake Mix Coffee Cake Recipe is just that. It’s sweet, tender, crumbly, and utterly comforting—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a part of your baking repertoire. Once you do, I’m sure you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again.