9 Easy Halloween Coffee Cake Recipes for a Spooky Brunch

When Halloween rolls around, are you tired of the same old store-bought candy and looking for a homemade treat that truly captures the cozy, spooky spirit of the season? It can be a challenge to find a dessert that’s festive enough for a Halloween brunch but doesn’t require hours of complicated decorating. You want something delicious, impressive, and simple to whip up, allowing you more time to enjoy the festivities with family and friends.

Look no further for the perfect Halloween brunch centerpiece. This guide provides 9 easy-to-follow Halloween coffee cake recipes, from a classic pumpkin crumb cake to a spooky cinnamon swirl cake with a streusel skeleton topping, ensuring a memorable and delicious celebration.

Craving a Spooky Treat That’s Actually Easy to Bake?

Yes, you absolutely can find creative, delicious, and easy-to-make coffee cake recipes perfect for a Halloween-themed brunch or gathering. The desire for a unique, festive treat that goes beyond typical candy is completely understandable. Many home bakers want recipes that look impressive for a spooky brunch but aren’t overly complicated to execute. This curated list promises exactly that: spooky and delicious coffee cakes designed for bakers of all skill levels.

As a passionate home baker who loves seasonal celebrations, I’ve gathered the most delightful and foolproof Halloween coffee cake recipes that are guaranteed to wow your guests this 2025.

9 Easy Halloween Coffee Cake Recipes for a Spooky Brunch

The best Halloween coffee cake recipes offer a range of options from scratch-made pumpkin cakes to quick recipes using a cake mix, and even include vegan and egg-free variations. This collection provides a variety of choices to fit your taste, skill level, and available ingredients. Each recipe is designed to deliver maximum fall flavor and festive fun, making them perfect for any spooky celebration.

Each of these 9 recipes has been selected for its clear instructions, delicious results, and spooky flair, making them perfect additions to your Halloween recipe collection.

1. Pumpkin Crumb Coffee Cake with Vanilla Icing

Pin this cozy pumpkin crumb cake for the perfect fall breakfast!

This recipe offers a simple, egg-free method for a classic pumpkin coffee cake that features a moist pumpkin base, a generous layer of spiced crumbs, and a sweet vanilla drizzle. The pumpkin puree acts as a natural binder, replacing the eggs and ensuring a wonderfully moist texture.

Ingredients:
* For the Crumb Topping: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, unsalted butter (cold).
* For the Cake: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, brown sugar, milk, melted butter.
* For the Vanilla Icing: Powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk.

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease your baking pan. A high-quality 9×13 inch metal baking pan will ensure even baking.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all crumb topping ingredients and cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake ingredients.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet cake ingredients.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle the crumb topping over it.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool completely before whisking together the icing ingredients and drizzling over the top.

Pro-Tip: For an extra moist cake, ensure you use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, as the puree acts as a fantastic natural binder.

2. Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze

Save this super moist pumpkin spice cake recipe for your next brunch!

This recipe creates an extra moist and fluffy pumpkin coffee cake with a distinct maple flavor, thanks to the inclusion of sour cream and a double layer of streusel. The light texture combined with warm spices and a sweet maple glaze makes it an unforgettable fall treat.

Ingredients:
* For the Streusel: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, unsalted butter (melted).
* For the Cake: All-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin puree, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil.
* For the Maple Glaze: Powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, milk.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
2. Combine all streusel ingredients in a bowl until crumbly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, sugars, and oil.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
6. Spread half the batter in the pan. Sprinkle with half the streusel. Top with the remaining batter, then the remaining streusel.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes. Let cool.
8. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and maple syrup. For the richest flavor, use a high-quality, pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Add milk to reach desired consistency, then drizzle over the cooled cake.

Lesson Learned: The sour cream is non-negotiable! It’s the secret ingredient that guarantees a light, fluffy texture and keeps the cake moist for days.

3. Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake with Streusel Skeleton Topping

Pin this spooky skeleton coffee cake for a fun Halloween baking project!

This recipe teaches you how to create a visually impressive and spooky Halloween coffee cake by transforming a classic cinnamon swirl cake with a fun, decorative streusel skeleton. It’s the perfect centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks.

Materials Needed:
* For the Streusel Topping & Skeleton: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, cold unsalted butter.
* For the Cinnamon Swirl: Brown sugar, cinnamon.
* For the Cake: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter (softened), granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, full-fat sour cream.
* Special Equipment: A silicone mold with skull shapes is essential for the spooky topping.

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Make the streusel: Combine dry ingredients, then cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Take a portion of the streusel and press it firmly into the skull molds. Freeze the mold for at least 15-20 minutes until the shapes are firm.
4. Make the cinnamon swirl mixture by combining brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Make the cake batter: Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients. Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry.
6. Layer the cake: Spread half the batter in the pan, sprinkle with the cinnamon swirl mixture, then top with remaining batter. Sprinkle the remaining loose streusel on top.
7. Carefully unmold the frozen streusel skulls and arrange them on top of the cake batter to form a skeleton.
8. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Cool before serving.

Pro-Tip: Freezing the molded streusel is the key to a sharp, defined skeleton design. Don’t skip this step, or the shapes will spread and lose their spooky effect during baking.

4. Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Ridiculous Streusel

If you love streusel, you HAVE to save this recipe!

For those who believe there’s no such thing as too much streusel, this recipe delivers a decadent pumpkin coffee cake that prioritizes a thick, chunky, and abundant crumbly topping. The moist, spiced pumpkin cake serves as the perfect base for the “ridiculous” amount of streusel.

Ingredients:
* For the Ridiculous Streusel: Melted butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice.
* For the Cake: Softened butter, pumpkin puree, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, eggs, oil, vanilla.
* For the Glaze: Softened butter, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Make the streusel: In a bowl, stir together the melted butter, flour, sugars, salt, and spices until large, chunky crumbs form. For best results, use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients to create perfectly sized crumbles.
3. Make the cake: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, pumpkin puree, and dry ingredients first. Mix until crumbly.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add this to the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Spread batter into the prepared pan. Generously sprinkle the entire streusel mixture over the top.
6. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.
7. Cool the cake, then whisk together the glaze ingredients and spread over the top.

Pro-Tip: Using melted butter in the streusel (instead of cold butter) is the secret to getting those addictive, large, chunky crumbles. Don’t substitute!

5. Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake (Cake Mix Base)

Need a quick dessert? Save this easy cake mix coffee cake recipe!

This recipe is the perfect solution for when you’re short on time, offering a quick and semi-homemade Halloween coffee cake using a boxed yellow cake mix as a convenient base. By adding pumpkin puree, spices, and a simple streusel, you can create a delicious seasonal treat with minimal effort.

Ingredients:
* For the Streusel: Brown sugar, all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, cold unsalted butter.
* For the Cake: 1 box yellow cake mix, softened butter, eggs, pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Make the streusel: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and pumpkin pie spice. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
3. Make the cake: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, softened butter, eggs, pumpkin puree, and cinnamon. Beat with a mixer until well blended. The quality of your cake mix will make a difference, so choose a brand known for being moist and flavorful.
4. Stir in the chopped pecans.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Lesson Learned: Even when using a cake mix, adding pumpkin puree and spices makes a huge difference. It elevates the flavor from a standard yellow cake to a truly seasonal treat.

6. Halloween Coffee Cake with Pecan Brown Sugar Mixture

Pin this pecan-packed coffee cake for a truly decadent treat!

This clever recipe utilizes a box of yellow cake mix to create an easy coffee cake that features a rich pecan and brown sugar filling swirled throughout. A portion of the dry cake mix is used to make the streusel, adding a unique texture and simplifying the ingredient list.

Ingredients:
* For the Pecan Mixture: 1 cup of dry yellow cake mix, melted butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans.
* For the Cake: Remaining yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of the dry cake mix with the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Using fresh, high-quality chopped pecans will give the best flavor and crunch.
3. In a separate large bowl, blend the remaining cake mix with the eggs and sour cream until smooth.
4. Spread half of the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle with about half of the pecan mixture.
5. Top with the remaining batter and sprinkle the rest of the pecan mixture on top.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Pro-Tip: For an extra nutty flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before chopping and adding them to the brown sugar mixture. Let them cool completely first.

7. Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese Drizzle

Save this pumpkin cake with cream cheese drizzle for when you need an amazing fall dessert!

This from-scratch recipe delivers a perfectly balanced pumpkin coffee cake with sweet and tangy flavors and a delightful crunchy texture. The tender, moist pumpkin and sour cream cake is topped with a buttery walnut streusel and finished with an irresistible cream cheese glaze.

Ingredients:
* For the Walnut Streusel: Flour, chopped walnuts, light brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, melted butter.
* For the Cake: Pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, eggs, flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
* For the Cream Cheese Drizzle: Softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Make the streusel by combining all ingredients in a bowl until crumbly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugars, oil, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the walnut streusel over the top.
7. Bake for 35-45 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan.
8. To make the drizzle, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. A good hand mixer will make this quick and prevent lumps in your glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Pro-Tip: Make sure your cream cheese is fully at room temperature before mixing the drizzle. This is the key to getting a perfectly smooth, lump-free consistency.

8. Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake (Egg-Free)

Have an egg allergy? Pin this delicious egg-free pumpkin cake recipe!

This recipe is specifically designed to be egg-free for those with allergies or dietary preferences, without compromising on flavor or texture. The pumpkin puree serves as a natural and effective binder, ensuring a moist and delicious spiced coffee cake that everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients:
* For the Cake: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, milk (dairy or non-dairy), vegetable oil, vanilla extract.
* For the Crumb Topping: Flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, cold butter.
* For the Icing: Powdered sugar, vanilla, milk.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Prepare the crumb topping by cutting cold butter into the flour, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together all dry cake ingredients.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, milk, oil, and vanilla. For a dairy-free option, soy milk is an excellent choice for baking as its high protein content helps with structure and browning.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. The pumpkin puree provides all the binding needed, replacing the eggs entirely.
6. Spread the batter in the pan, top with the crumb mixture, and bake for 30-40 minutes.
7. Cool completely before drizzling with vanilla icing.

Pro-Tip: When baking without eggs, be extra careful not to overmix the batter. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear to ensure a tender, not tough, final crumb.

9. Vegan-Friendly Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pin this delicious vegan pumpkin cake to share with everyone!

This recipe provides a completely vegan version of a classic pumpkin coffee cake, ensuring that the rich, spiced pumpkin flavors and delightful crumb texture can be enjoyed by everyone. By using plant-based butter and milk, it becomes a delicious plant-based treat that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Ingredients:
* For the Vegan Crumb Topping: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cold plant-based butter.
* For the Vegan Cake: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, seasonal spices, pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, brown sugar, plant-based milk (like soy or almond), melted plant-based butter.
* For the Vegan Icing: Powdered sugar, vanilla extract, plant-based milk.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a baking pan.
2. Make the crumb topping: In a bowl, cut the cold plant-based butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Using a high-quality vegan butter that comes in stick form will yield the best results.
3. Make the cake: In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients.
4. Combine the wet and dry mixtures, stirring until just combined.
5. Spread the batter into the pan and top with the crumb mixture.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before drizzling with a simple vegan vanilla icing.

Lesson Learned: The key to great vegan baking is choosing the right substitutes. A good quality vegan butter stick (not a tub margarine) and a protein-rich plant milk like soy milk will give you a structure and flavor that’s nearly identical to the dairy version.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Halloween Coffee Cake Recipes

The most important information to remember when baking a Halloween coffee cake is to focus on key ingredients for moisture and simple techniques for decoration. Here is a quick summary of the most crucial tips from these recipes.

• Embrace Pumpkin: Pumpkin puree is a star ingredient, providing moisture, flavor, and even acting as an egg substitute.
• Don’t Skimp on Streusel: A generous, crunchy streusel topping is the hallmark of a great coffee cake. Using melted butter creates larger chunks.
• Get Spooky with Decorations: Simple decorations, like using a skull mold for streusel or adding a spooky drizzle, can transform any coffee cake into a festive treat.
• Dietary Options are Easy: Creating delicious egg-free and vegan versions is simple with plant-based milks, butters, and the natural binding power of pumpkin.
• Cake Mix is a Great Shortcut: A boxed yellow cake mix can be easily elevated with pumpkin, spices, and a homemade streusel for a quick yet impressive dessert.

People Also Ask About Halloween Coffee Cake Recipes

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have when baking coffee cakes for a Halloween celebration.

Can I make Halloween coffee cake ahead of time?

Yes, most coffee cakes are great for making ahead of time. In fact, their flavors often deepen and become richer overnight. You can bake the cake a day or two in advance and store it, covered, at room temperature, making it a perfect time-saver for party planning.

What makes a coffee cake moist?

The key to a moist coffee cake is using ingredients with high-fat content or moisture. Ingredients like sour cream, pumpkin puree, oil, and butter all contribute to a tender and moist crumb. To ensure a moist result, be careful not to overbake, as that can dry out any cake.

How can I add a Halloween touch to any coffee cake recipe?

You can easily make any coffee cake recipe spooky with simple decorative touches. Try adding a few drops of orange or black food coloring to your icing. You can also use Halloween-themed cookie cutters to shape your streusel topping before baking, or simply top the finished cake with candy corn, gummy worms, or festive sprinkles.

Final Thoughts

Getting creative in the kitchen is one of the best ways to celebrate the Halloween season. A festive brunch centered around a special, homemade coffee cake creates warm memories and delicious moments. Armed with these easy and impressive recipes, you’re ready to bake a treat that will be the star of any spooky gathering.

Which of these spooky and sweet coffee cakes are you most excited to bake for Halloween this 2025?

Last update on 2025-10-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API