There’s a local Chicago brunch spot that serves a little slice of coffee cake to you once you sit down as a little pre-brunch appetizer, and it’s always something I look forward to. My husband and I love to do a little day date there and sit outside on the patio just to enjoy the sunshine and catch up on life. And that’s exactly what inspired this coffee cake. It’s the kind of coffee cake you want to sit down around and catch up with family or friends.
I call this orange coffee cake the most perfect coffee cake to impress just about anyone, but also easy to whip up on a weekend morning when you just want to snack on something delicious with your cup of coffee and Sunday scaries. The fresh orange zest and juice pull through the cake beautifully to keep it bright, but to me, nothing is more perfect than the pairing of chocolate and orange together, so of course, this cake is studded with chocolate chips throughout.

Everything you’ll need to make this orange coffee cake
Simple ingredients, bold orange flavors, a hint of chocolate — what more could you want? Here’s what you’ll need to make this coffee cake:
- Extra-virgin olive oil: I love adding moisture to baked goods with olive oil. Brightland is my favorite — use the code ‘AMBITIOUS’ for 20% off!
- Greek yogurt: plain whole-milk Greek yogurt also adds the perfect amount of moisture to get that beautiful, tender crumb.
- Sweeteners: we’re using pure maple syrup in the cake itself, and brown sugar in the streusel topping.
- Eggs: you’ll also need 2 eggs to help the cake bake up properly.
- Orange: the star of the show! We’re adding both orange juice and orange zest right into the batter for that perfect orange punch.
- Flour: we’re using regular all-purpose flour in the cake itself and in the streusel topping.
- Baking staples: don’t forget the vanilla extract, baking soda AND baking powder, and salt.
- For the streusel topping: that classic coffee cake top is made with more all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salted butter.
- Mix-ins and glaze: if you love a chocolate-orange combo like I do, mix in regular or mini chocolate chips! I also like to add an orange glaze made with powdered sugar, fresh orange juice and zest.

Can I make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan?
- To make gluten-free: swap the all-purpose flour for 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- To make dairy-free: use your favorite plain, THICK dairy-free yogurt in the cake batter (I like siggi’s plant-based cups) and dairy-free/vegan butter in the streusel topping. Be sure to also use dairy-free chocolate chips.
I haven’t tested this recipe using flax eggs, but let me know in the comments if you do! Then be sure to follow the dairy-free instructions above.

Choose your favorite mix-ins and toppings
Not into chocolate chips? Feel free to leave them out or mix in some fresh or dried cranberries — yum! If you’d like, you can also skip the glaze and dust the full cake with powdered sugar instead.

How to make the perfect orange coffee cake
- Prep your pan. Start by greasing a 9-inch springform pan or a 9 inch round pan or 8×8 inch pan with cooking spray.
- Make the streusel. Mix the streusel ingredients in a bowl until the mixture resembles clumps of wet sand. I like to use my hands to create the clumps. Place in the fridge.
- Make the batter. Whisk the wet and dry ingredients separately, then use a wooden spoon to mix them together until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Sprinkle & bake. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, evenly sprinkle on the streusel topping, then bake the cake.
- Mix the glaze, drizzle & devour. Mix the glaze ingredients together, then drizzle the glaze onto your cooled coffee cake. Slice, and serve with Greek yogurt for breakfast or coffee or vanilla ice cream for dessert!

My best tips for baking coffee cake
- Grease your pan. Generously coat your springform pan (sides included!) with nonstick cooking spray so that the cake comes out easily! If you’re using a cake pan or 9×9-inch square pan, remember to line it with parchment paper AND spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- Do not overmix. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be sure to mix until the batter is just combined. Overmixing will create a dense, gummy texture.
- Cool before glazing. Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes before adding the orange glaze so that it doesn’t just soak into the cake. We want it to create a pretty drizzle on top!

How to store & freeze this coffee cake
- To store: keep the orange coffee cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days, then place it in the fridge covered for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: let the cake cool and then wrap it well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place the full cake in a zip-top freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve it, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight, then let the cake come to room temp before adding the orange glaze (if using) and serving it.

Tools you’ll need
Get all of my kitchen essentials here!
More delicious brunch treats
- Espresso Yogurt Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
- Fluffy Orange Cinnamon Rolls
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Lemon Lover’s Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls
- Paleo Orange-Kissed Loaf with Dark Chocolate Glaze
Get all of my brunch baked goods here!
I hope you love this orange coffee cake! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Olive Oil Orange Yogurt Coffee Cake

Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Streusel topping
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (107 grams) packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- Wet ingredients
- ½ cup (100 grams) extra-virgin olive oil (or avocado oil)
- ½ cup (113 grams) plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (156 grams) pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Zest from 1 large orange (about 1 to 2 tablespoons)
- ⅓ cup (67 grams) fresh orange juice (from 1 to 2 large oranges)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Dry ingredients and mix-ins
- 1 ¾ cup (210 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ heaping cup (100 grams) regular or mini chocolate chips
- Optional glaze
- ½ cup (57 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously coat a 9-inch round springform pan with cooking spray, or line a 9-inch round cake pan or 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and stir together with a fork until it resembles clumps of wet sand. You may need to use your fingers to form the mixture into nice thick clumps. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for later.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, eggs, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined, about 1 minute.
- Prepare the dry ingredients and mix-ins: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a wooden spoon to mix until combined, do not overmix. Fold chocolate chips into the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the streusel on top.
- Bake the cake: Bake until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean with just a few crumbs attached, 40 to 50 minutes. Allow the cake to cool almost completely before glazing.
- Make the glaze: Once the cake is cool, you can make the glaze. In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar, orange juice and zest and mix together with a fork until well combined, smooth and can easily be drizzled. Drizzle back and forth over the cake. Cut into 10 to 12 slices, then enjoy. Serve with Greek yogurt for protein, or if serving for a dessert I recommend serving with a scoop of coffee or vanilla flavored ice cream.
Recipe Notes
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats

Fluffy cake with a tasty, perfectly portioned, generous crumb! Tossed in the last 1/4 c. chocolate chips on hand, and it wasn’t enough. The bites with chocolate were tastier than the bites without. Served to the kids with orange slices on the side. Cozy!
So glad you enjoyed! Yes, feel free to toss more chocolate chips in the batter next time 🙂
This was really delicious – moist and fluffy without being too sweet. I made it without the streusel or glaze out of laziness and it was amazing as is 🙂 thank you!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
So bright and flavorful! I love AK coffee cakes so much. The streusel is to die for. But this base of this cake is such a lovely flavor combo: chocolate and orange. Reminds me of these British tea biscuits I love, but in cake form!
So glad you loved it! Huge fan of the chocolate-orange combo 🙂
Another absolute HIT. I’ve made all the AK coffee cakes and this one is my favorite (love the combo of orange and chocolate). I made zero substitutions or changes and highly recommend the glaze! Maybe I’ll add espresso powder next time 😉
So happy to hear that! This is my new fav, too 🙂
I just took mine out of the oven, so I have yet to try it. I was thinking about whisking in espresso powder with the dry ingredients, as well. Maybe next time.
I wanted to report that fresh milled flour works in this recipe as well! I was out of all purpose flour but I’m learning about milling my own so I did a 50/50 blend of soft white & hard white wheat berries & the result was SO good. Not a morsel remains. Thank you, Monique, for all of your fantastic recipes. I can always count on them being full of flavor & delicious.
Perfect! I’m glad that worked out well 🙂 Such a great breakfast treat!
Soooooo good! I made a little extra glaze and added a little more chocolate chips. Whole family loved it! Love your cookbook too!
So happy to hear that!!
Favorite coffee cake yet!! Used Siggi coconut yogurt and extra chocolate chips. The combo of streusel and orange glaze was perfect – so moist! I baked one day ahead, let cool completely and then wrapped in plastic wrap overnight. Served next afternoon. Will definitely add to many more brunch menus!
Yay! So happy to hear this was a hit for you 🙂
This looks delicious. Do you think 1:1 gluten free flour would work in this recipe?
It should, yes!
This cake is insanely good!! Feedback from the family included “this might be your best cake yet” and you guys, I make a lot of cakes. The orange, chocolate, and cinnamon all come together in a way that’s really unique but also feels fresh and comforting at the same time. It’s so (sorry but I have to) moist and the streusel topping takes it to the next level. You have to make this!!
Amazing! So happy you loved this one!!
We are obsessed with this fresh and flavorful coffee cake! I did it in an 8 by 8 pan lined with parchment like she recommended and cut into squares once cooled and it was perfect. Also, my hubby isn’t much of a chocolate chip fans, so I replaced with mini white chocolate chips and it was fabulous! This is a must make!
Love it! White chocolate sounds delicious in here 🙂
This was absolutely delicious! The flavors came together perfectly and the texture was terrific. The streusel and glaze make it superb. I can’t wait to make it again for our family’s Easter brunch. (I baked it for 45 min. in a springform pan.)
This one’s perfect for Easter!
This coffee cake was truly delicious! Coffee cake is my husband’s favorite and he said this one was so good! I also tried it with lime and lime zest instead of the orange(I had a bunch of limes I needed to use), I subbed the chocolate chips for shredded coconut, it turned out great!
That sounds amazing! Glad he enjoyed this one!
Sooooo good !!!
Glad you enjoyed!
The perfect blend of orange and chocolate! I used 2% Greek yogurt and didn’t end up using quite all of the streusel on top. I used mini chocolate chips to better distribute the chocolate in every bite. Made it for book club and everyone asked for the recipe! So delicious!
Love it! Glad it was a hit!
SUCH A HIT! I made this cake for a dinner party of 6 people and everyone went back for seconds!! There was none left! So refreshing and bold!
This is tasty. I used an 8×8 metal pan and it was slightly overdone when I checked at 35 minutes (I don’t have a convection oven), so the texture was almost like cornbread. Will tweak next time..
Try checking it around 30 minutes next time! I’m glad it was still tasty 🙂
Would I be able to halve this recipe in a loaf pan? Thank you!
I suggest my pistachio poppyseed orange loaf (you can leave out pistachios and poppyseeds if you’d like).
Absolutely delicious, as usual! AK recipes never fail! I made it gluten free for my guests and everybody loved it.
So happy to hear that!
Easy to make and my family and I loved it. I omitted the chocolate chips and we liked how light and not too sweet this was!
Amazing! Such a great brunch treat.