You know it’s officially fall when you start craving the cozy aroma of cinnamon, pumpkin, and freshly baked cake drifting through the house. Enter: Pumpkin Coffee Cake. It’s the fall brunch recipe dreams are made of—soft, moist pumpkin cake topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel and finished off with a sweet vanilla glaze. This cake brings together everything we love about the season in one glorious square.
Perfect for a lazy weekend brunch, a Thanksgiving morning treat, or even a simple “just because it’s fall” snack, this recipe is comforting, crowd-pleasing, and so easy to make. Let’s get that oven going!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This isn’t your average breakfast cake. It’s a moist pumpkin cake with just the right balance of sweetness and spice, and that cinnamon streusel on top? A total game changer. It adds the perfect buttery crunch to every bite. Plus, with a drizzle of creamy vanilla icing, it turns into a fall dessert that feels special without being fussy. Whether you’re hosting brunch or treating yourself on a Tuesday, it checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (80ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) white sugar
- 1 cup (240g) pumpkin puree
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (57g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
Icing:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon melted butter
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Cinnamon Streusel Pumpkin Coffee Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, cream softened butter with brown and white sugars until fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla, and milk, then blend in the pumpkin puree until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
- For the streusel: Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 27–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the topping is golden.
- Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes.
- While it cools, whisk the icing ingredients together, adding milk gradually to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the icing over the warm or cooled cake. Slice and serve!
Pumpkin Cake Tips from Olivia
- Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until the dry bits disappear for a tender crumb.
- Use cold butter for the streusel—it’s what gives you those perfect buttery clumps.
- You can use buttermilk or a splash of cream instead of milk for an even richer cake.
- This also makes a great make-ahead treat. Bake it the night before and drizzle with icing in the morning.
My Fall Morning Ritual
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake became a tradition after a crisp Saturday morning when I woke up early (rare!) and decided to bake something just for me. The kids were still asleep, the house was quiet, and as the cinnamon-y aroma filled the air, I curled up with a warm slice and my favorite mug of coffee. Pure bliss. It’s now my go-to when I need a little fall comfort, even better when shared with loved ones.
Perfect Pairings for Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Pair this fall brunch recipe with a maple latte, some scrambled eggs, and maybe a few slices of bacon for balance. It also works beautifully alongside a fruit salad if you’re hosting. Want to get fancy? Add a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert vibes.
Storing the Cake
Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5. It reheats wonderfully in the microwave for 10–20 seconds. You can also freeze slices for up to 2 months—just wrap them well and defrost overnight in the fridge. Hold off on icing until you’re ready to serve if you’re planning to freeze.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake FAQs
Can I make this with gluten-free flour?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix and check the texture. It may be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I use canned pumpkin pie mix instead of puree?
Stick with plain puree for best results. Pumpkin pie mix has added sugar and spices that can throw off the balance.
What can I use instead of whole milk?
Almond milk, oat milk, or even buttermilk all work beautifully in this recipe.
Let’s Fall in Love with Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake is a warm hug in edible form. It checks all the boxes: moist pumpkin cake, spiced cinnamon streusel, and a sweet vanilla drizzle that brings it all together. If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing fall brunch recipe, this one is calling your name. So grab that can of pumpkin and let your oven do its autumnal magic!
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Print
Warm, Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Perfection
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (or 12 smaller squares) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake is a cozy fall favorite with a soft, spiced pumpkin base, a buttery cinnamon streusel topping, and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a warm autumn snack, it’s simple to bake and full of flavor that tastes like fall in every bite.
Ingredients
Cake:
-
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
-
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
-
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
2 teaspoons baking powder
-
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
-
1 large egg, room temperature
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
⅓ cup (80ml) whole milk
-
½ cup (100g) brown sugar
-
¼ cup (50g) white sugar
-
1 cup (240g) pumpkin puree
Streusel Topping:
-
½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
-
¼ cup (57g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
-
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
-
½ cup (100g) brown sugar
Icing:
-
1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
-
1 teaspoon melted butter
-
1–2 tablespoons (15–30ml) milk
-
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
-
In another bowl, cream softened butter with brown and white sugars until fluffy.
-
Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk, then stir in pumpkin puree until smooth.
-
Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix.
-
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
-
Prepare streusel by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly.
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Sprinkle streusel evenly over the batter.
-
Bake for 27–32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Cool the cake for 10 minutes.
-
Whisk together icing ingredients, adjusting milk for consistency.
-
Drizzle icing over the warm or cooled cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
For extra richness, substitute milk with buttermilk or cream.
Don’t overmix the batter—just until the dry ingredients disappear.
Use cold butter in the streusel to create that crumbly texture.
Ice after cooling if freezing for later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Brunch, Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
