Best Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake with Spiced Streusel

Hooray for Pumpkin Season and Fall baking! My Best Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake with Spiced Streusel will make you say “Move over Starbucks, there is a new coffee cake recipe in town!” 

This is an incredibly moist cake filled with Fall flavor and makes a delicious treat. 

With warm spices and pecan crumb spiced topping layered in, this will give you pumpkin pie nostalgia with a crunch!

This Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake uses yellow cake mix and it may be one of the easiest pumpkin coffee cake recipes you will ever make! The recipe is inspired by “Sylvia’s Coffee Cake” which was published in a Seattle Church’s cookbook called Recipes to Remember. Her recipe is simply a coffee cake and I put my twist on it by adding pumpkin puree, additional spices and incorporating brown sugar into a pecan streusel. 

The final result reminds me of a pumpkin pecan pudding cake. And yup, the best part is that you can add whipped cream on your slice! (Starbucks doesn’t do that for you! 😜)

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Ingredients Needed for my Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake Recipe 

• Yellow cake mix. I use Trader Joe’s brand which is a 16 oz size. Any yellow cake mix will work. 
• Instant vanilla pudding mix. I swear vanilla pudding mix makes everything better!
• Vegetable oil.
• Pumpkin puree from a can. I like to use organic but it’s not a must. 
• Vanilla extract.
• Large eggs.
• Brown sugar.
• Granulated white sugar.
• Salted chopped pecans.
• Ground cinnamon.
• Ground nutmeg.
• Ground cloves.
• Cardamom.
• Allspice.
• Powdered sugar. This is an optional garnish. 
• Cooking spray.

How to make the Best Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake with Spiced Streusel

1. Start with preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a bundt cake pan with non stick cooking spray. Be sure to get the sides of the pan well. Set the prepared cake pan aside. 

2. In a large bowl, add the cake mix and the pudding mix. Stir to combine. 

3. Then add the wet ingredients-the pumpkin, oil and vanilla. Stir gently to combine. Add the eggs one by one, (making sure they are incorporated well before adding the next one)

4. In a small bowl, combine the pecans along with the spices and add the sugars.

5. Coat the bottom of the pan with a 1/3 pecan streusel topping.  Then add half of the batter. Add another 1/3 of the pecan mixture, then add the remaining cake batter, finishing with the last layer of remaining pecan mixture.

6. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes clean.

7. Let it cool completely before removing from the bundt mold. Dust with powdered sugar. 

Looking for more sweet Pumpkin recipes? Be sure to check out my Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling and if you’re feeling savory, my Pumpkin Chicken will be sure to satisfy!

Serving Suggestions and alternatives

​Pumpkin pecan coffee cake is delicious for a snack, light breakfast and is best with a hot cup of coffee.  You can serve it along side a quiche or omelet. 

Toasted pecans is a nice addition though this recipe doesn’t require toasting them.

You can enjoy with the crumbly streusel in the middle of the cake or omit it. 

Adding a sweet glaze is optional such a simple vanilla glaze. 

Pumpkin pie spice can be used if you don’t have all the individual spices. 

To cut down on sugar but still have a sweet crumb mixture, use maple syrup to toss in with the pecans and spices. 

Use a springform pan to create a pumpkin pecan upside down cake.

To make this gluten-free pumpkin coffee cake, use a gluten free yellow cake mix such as King Arthur, Betty Crocker or 365 by Whole Foods. 

If you want to enjoy this as a vegan pumpkin coffee cake, use a vegan cake mix. King Arthur or Miss Jones Bakery make vegan mixes.

What Makes a Coffee Cake a Coffee Cake

Coffee cake has that crumb topping that consists of butter, cinnamon and flour and also streusel filling. Though coffee cake often has a glaze or icing, they are not frosted like traditional cakes. 

Three Reasons Why This Is The Best Pumpkin Coffee Cake

• It’s moist! With this recipe and other recipes I’ve made with pudding mix, the instant pudding is a game changer for the texture and maintaining moisture. 
• This is simple to make with box cake. I’m all about scratch baking at home but with the holidays, there is so much going on and other dishes that need more focus and attention. It’s nice to have a dessert that is easy to make and done in 45 minutes!
• It feeds a crowd! This is great for a holiday brunch or a get together. 

I love pumpkin so much that I’m guilty of eating it pretty much from September through November! (and sometimes in the Spring! LOL)

Storing and freezing

When it is completely cool, you can wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap.

If you’re wondering if you can freeze coffee cake, the answer is yes! Store in an airtight container such as Snapware. Place parchment paper in between the layers. You can reheat in the microwave for 30-60 or defrost it in your fridge and bring it to room temperature before eating. 

What Size Pan Is The Best For Coffee Cake

The best baking pan is a 9 inch bundt pan however I have made coffee cakes in 13×9 pans as well. 

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Happy Baking!