This Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake starts off so easy by using pancake mix with a few extra ingredients. For a snack, breakfast or dessert!
CHOCOLATE CHIP COFFEE CAKE
Don't tell anyone but this little cake has a secret. It's a secret that will make this a snap to make. I’m one of those folks that loves to used boxed cake mixes and boxed brownie mixes. There is so much you can do with a boxed cake mix. The same is true for pancake mix and biscuit mix!
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS EASY SNACK CAKE:
- Use the pancake mix that is the “Just Add Water” type of mix. If you only have pancake mix that requires you to add milk, eggs & oil, then you will need to replace the ½ cup water in this recipe with 2 large eggs and 2 tablespoons of milk. Then proceed with the rest of the directions.
- Also, the glaze isn’t really necessary on this coffee cake at all. We just liked the little added bit of sweetness it added to the cake.
- Feel free to add pecans or walnuts. Or perhaps even some fresh fruit - like blueberries!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
2 ½ cups pancake mix (mix that requires only adding water*)
⅓ cup sugar
½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup water
½ cup sour cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract(topping)
¼ cup sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. milk
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY AND DELICIOUS COFFEE CAKE:
Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Spray an 8 inch square pan or dish with non-stick spray. Combine pancake mix, sugar and chocolate chips in medium bowl.
Then add water, sour cream and vanilla. Mix until combined.
Batter will be very thick.
Spread batter into prepared baking dish. 
Combine ¼ cup sugar, cinnamon and pecans (if using) in a small bowl.
Sprinkle mixture over dough.
Bake 24-26 minutes until golden brown. Whisk together powdered sugar and milk in small bowl.
Drizzle glaze over warm cake. Allow cake to cool for just a few minutes.
Enjoy!
Originally published: April 2011
Updated & updated: April 2020
EASY CHOCOLATE CHIP COFFEE CAKE
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups pancake mix mix that requires only adding water
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans optional
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
- Spray an 8 inch square pan or dish with non-stick spray
- Combine pancake mix, sugar and chocolate chips in medium bowl.
- Then add water, sour cream and vanilla.
- Mix until combined.
- Batter will be very thick.
- Spread batter into prepared baking dish.
- Combine ¼ cup sugar, cinnamon and nuts (if using) in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle mixture over dough.
- Bake 24-26 minutes until golden brown.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and milk in small bowl. Drizzle glaze over warm cake.
Video
Notes
Also, the glaze isn’t really necessary on this coffee cake at all. We just liked the little added bit of sweetness it added to the cake.
Nutrition
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
EASY BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
CHOCOLATE CHIP SPICE CAKE WITH GLAZE
MY GO-TO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE
MILK CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
PANCAKE PUPPIES (SWEET HUSH PUPPIES)
Ev
Just tried this. It smells and looks awesome. Bringing to a sickly friend. Thanks for posting this as it’s easy peats.
Linda G.
Do you think I can make muffins with this recipe?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I haven’t tried it but I bet you could!
Lindy
My husband loves it. It's so easy and fun to make. I plan to make a crumble type of topping and put raisins in next time. Thanks for a winner !!
Marsha Hebert
I did this with pumpkin pancake mix! It was soooooo good!
Sue
This is the coffee cake my daughter requests most often.
Darlene
Could you make this with waffle mix?
nina
thanks for this recipe simple and tasty! loved using pancake mix
Sang
Just rolled this out of my ninja foodi. Had to use my kid’s vanilla gogurt and an apple sauce since I was out of sour cream. Also went with frozen peaches instead of chocolate chips. Start to stop in 30 min! Awesome recipe,thanks for sharing.
April
Could I use low-fat vanilla yogurt in place of the sour cream?
Sarah
Hi Brandie,
I've been following your blog for a while; and I've liked all your recipes so far. Especially when they are easy to make.
I've come across your choc chip coffee cake, that I'd like to make for our staff meeting. I want to ask if I can use the homemade baking mix instead of the package? Since it's a homemade, do I have to add egg, butter, and milk also? (I saw the cooks note about the different pancake mixes..)
Thanks for your explanation. Keep up with the recipes!!
Sri
The Country Cook
Hi Hun - so glad this turned out good for you. You were so sweet to make this for your parents! You are just so precious to take the time to make them something special. I bet they loved it! ~Brandie
Anonymous
I'm 13 years old and I just made this for my parents for breakfast. It turned out great and i love the easy instructions! Thanks for this great recipe:)
Jami
I can't wait to try this one! What a great idea.
stldiamond
I love chocolate chips but think this recipe would be great with dried fruit--maybe cranraisins or apricots.
Anonymous
I love this recipe! The cake is so moist and full of flavor-it's my new favorite!
Lisa @ Lisa's Dinnertime Dish
This sounds so easy and looks SO delicious! I've never thought of using pancake mix for anything but pancakes, great idea!!
Brooks at Cakewalker
Simply brilliant, Brandie. Your resourcefulness is the secret to your success!
Peggy Lee
UGH!! Masterchief just walked in the room, saw the picture of the cake and said, "I want THAT tomorrow".
Thanks for that!
Anonymous
I think I could make this low carb, by using lc pancake mix and sweetners instead of sugar, and lc chocolate chips. Yum
Jillian
I made your CC recipe and blogged about it today! 🙂
heather {WhipperBerry}
wow, thanks for sharing your secret! I love dressing up box mixes it a fantastic jumping off point for a recipe. nice work!
kisses
heather
Rebekah
Oh how sweet and tempting! I just want to eat the picture LOL
Rebekah @
http://www.kidsdoeathealthy.blogspot.com
The Mom Chef
I want that cake. I don't care how it's made, whether it's from scratch or a mix. Wow, it looks so good. Probably need to keep the chocolate out, but the rest is all mine!
Muriel Miller
Coffee cake is one of my favorite things! I have never made it from scratch before and now will definitely be bookmarking this recipe! Thanks!
Megan
Pancake mix...brilliant! Must try this one!
Happy When Not Hungry
This looks delicious and love the pancake mix too!
michelle
oh this looks so good! Looking forward to searching your recipes!
Ang
Yes I have had a cake ball before! Holy heavens have mercy are they good. The coffee cake looks amazing just the same. And Ave would flip for the chocolate chips you stashed in there.
Kate
What a great idea! Pancake Mix! Who would of thought? I can't wait to try this coffee cake - looks delish!
A little bit of everything
although I'm not a coffee drinker I never say No to a coffee cake. your photo is so inviting.
Thanks for sharing Brandie
MaryBeth
I love all kinds of coffee cake and it of course is even better with chocolate!
Mary
What a delicious sounding recipe. I'm new to your blog so I've also spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I 'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings...Mary
Katie @ This Chick Cooks
That looks so yummy with that crumbly topping!
carolinaheartstrings
This looks so wonderful. I cannot wait to try it.
Tiffany
What a great idea for a coffee cake!
Gloria
I love this recipe, yummy! gloria
Veronica Gantley
If it is easy, you know I am all over it. I will have a luncheon with some friends at the school. I will make this and brag about you! 🙂
Becky
I just came from Jen's blog. Great looking cake and pics. Keep up the good work.
Annie's Dish
I love shortcut recipes! I am soooo making it this weekend!
Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen}
Headed over to check it out! I hate missing out on a secret! LOL
Lizzy
Way to tease us 😉
Bo
Never would have thought it was made with pancake mix!!! I would make this in the morning, but I don't have pc mix...but not a food snob either...I just buy the bisquick in the pour bottle.
Ben
You got me at the title, I'm checking the guest post right now. Sounds excitingly delicious 😀
Sandra
Clever...looks awesome! Going to check it out!
Jill@MadAboutMacarons
Brandie,
mention secret and we all want in on the act 😉
off to check it out NOW!
cajunlicious
This picture is amazing! I love coffee cake.
Tiffanee
YUM! This looks light and oh so delicious. It may have to be breakfast tomorrow. That is if I can wait that long. Off to print the recipe!!
Marina
Okay I have clicked on 3 different recipes from Whipperberry's Linky Party. I am definitely a new follower! ALL Your stuff looks so YUMMY!
Visiting from Justsewsassy.com
Kristen
I cannot wait to see more of that yummy looking treat!
Holly
YUMMO! Off to go check it out : )
RavieNomNoms
That picture soooo grabbed me I had to check out the guest post. So yummy!