LAUSD Coffee Cake

by jenjenk on November 30, 2009

A couple of months ago, I hosted a brunch for a few of my friends from high school [well, technically we’ve all known each other since elementary school].  One of my friends brought a coffee cake to the brunch.  All of us were slowly eating it because it tasted so darned familiar.
“I’ve had this before…” i said, “but I can’t figure out WHERE.”
Jana smiled at me and said, “think down memory lane…it’s a recipe from a long, long time ago.”
Judy shouted, “OH MY GOSH, this is the coffee cake recipe from junior high school!! I used to eat this all the time!”
When she said “all the time”, she wasn’t kidding – we all did.  It was our go-to snack/breakfast during recess.  You know…back in the day when calories didn’t mean anything because you could burn it off by simply breathing.
I’ve been craving this coffee cake so I thought I’d do a nice thing and make some for my co-workers [who sadly, can not burn off the calories from this coffee cake just by breathing…but don’t tell them I said that!].
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }

Anonymous March 7, 2010 at 1:16 am

Deborah said….

Hummmm….. so glad to find the correct recipe for LAUSD's coffee cake. Haven't had any for a few years since the school stopped making it.

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maile moore February 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm

Thanks a lot whoever posted this!

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Queen Divalicious May 10, 2013 at 9:42 am

I mad this perfect the first time, however, it falls and becomes real dense, and I’m following the recipe exactly. Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong?

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jenjenk May 10, 2013 at 9:57 am

How old is your baking powder & baking soda? that makes a difference!!

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Christy Baker October 25, 2014 at 2:26 am

I remember that coffee cake from junior and High school. Looked forward to just the scent of it being baked.

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Lolly June 13, 2015 at 11:03 am

I am coming to this posting 6 years late, but this coffee cake is the holy grail of coffee cake for me.

I am a product of the LAUSD edu-machine (Eagle Rock High School) and this coffee cake was about the only thing enjoyable about that time. I’ve been trying to replicate the streusel topping for ages. Looking at the streusel portion of the recipe I can see that I was pretty close. I have a simpler (no vinegar or powdered milk) coffee cake recipe, though, from “The Joy of Cooking” (1966 ed.).

So thoughtful of you to post this. Thank you.

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jenjenk June 13, 2015 at 3:46 pm

for you & me both!!! i love this recipe!!! darn. i wasn’t thinking about it since i’ve been on a super health kick…but now…ouch! 😉

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Jennie Settelmeyer May 31, 2016 at 10:11 pm

Can someone please post the Peanut Butter Cake Recipe???
That was an equally fond memory of growing up LAUSD.

Thank you 🙂 – Jennie

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yvonne June 4, 2016 at 11:10 am

Now the only other thing I would like to get is the peanut butter cake recipe they use to make as well..that was the best.

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Denise August 8, 2016 at 5:22 pm

You would have thought this recipe was top secret they kept it under lock and key for a long time LOL

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jenjenk August 9, 2016 at 9:13 am

i switched out the original OIL ingredient for butter. i just like things buttery but it still tastes the same…maybe a tad denser…

i think i may have found this on the LAUSD website!!!

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Medalrider August 8, 2016 at 11:57 pm

This is fabulous! Does anyone happen to have the recipe for those to die for rolls we had with the mashed potatoes and gravy?

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LaTisha Tuggle August 9, 2016 at 11:23 pm

Does anyone have the recipe for square rolls? I lived for these in junior high and LAUSD made the best.

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Beverly Szego August 10, 2016 at 2:07 am

Does anyone have the recipe for the peanut butter rolls, they served at Stephen M. White Jr. High

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Tonia August 10, 2016 at 11:32 pm

I so glad to have this O how I miss this coffee cake yes

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Isabel August 12, 2016 at 2:55 pm

Where can i find the coffee cake already made ?

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Carmen Monroe Chatman August 14, 2016 at 7:03 pm

Did you bake it? Was it like the coffee cake for school.

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Cheryl October 30, 2016 at 11:05 pm

Oh my gosh. Is this the coffee cake we used to have in elementary school? I attended 54th Street School in the late 50s and early 60s, and we ❤️ LOVED this coffee cake. It’s what I immediately think of when someone says coffee cake, but I haven’t had it since 6th grade! That was 1964. I’m going to have to make it now!

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Roxie Johnson June 4, 2017 at 10:54 pm

In junior high i would always ask for seconds
And yes it was that good.
👍👍👍👍

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Laura June 5, 2017 at 11:44 am

Have been looking for this for a while thank you for posting it. Now if only i could find the one for the peanut butter one.

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Renee Heard October 31, 2017 at 11:11 am

yyaaaayyyyyyy. thank you for posting this recipe. bisquick coffiee cake receipe was the closest I could ever get. I loved this cake so much. the grilled chesse sandwiches were the best I have ever eaten and the mashed potatoes, they had a distinct taste also. I think they made them with water and no milk. I loved it all. why is that. Estelle morgan, los angeles high, class of 1976. cap key does not work on my computer. just in case my typing led you to believe I did not pass English.

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jenjenk October 31, 2017 at 11:20 am

LOL – i didn’t think that at all! I’m so glad you liked it!! we were thrilled to have discovered the recipe again!!! hope you enjoy!

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Denise January 29, 2018 at 6:04 pm

Yeah Starded Off In Elementary and Went to Jr High. I Miss Those Days.

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Tom March 8, 2018 at 3:02 pm

Funny, I was just talking about this ever so awesome coffee cake with my 17yo last week, and how awesome it was! I am going to make this very soon!

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Anna March 9, 2018 at 8:23 pm

Yum! Love this stuff, my brother and i have tried to recreate the peanut butter cake/ bread and cant quite get it. Would love that recipe as well.

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jane levy March 13, 2018 at 7:42 am

I also have the recipe for the Ranger Cookies we loved.

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Brenda Jay March 17, 2018 at 12:36 pm

I’m still can taste it 45 years later.

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Sherond March 22, 2018 at 7:59 am

I don’t remember this treat at Wadsworth Elementary School, but I do remember it at Carver Jr High and Thomas Jefferson High School! Thanks for sharing!

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Jay adkins March 23, 2018 at 9:08 pm

I love it but it had my blood sugar up so high, I’ll try a different sugar to try the outcome

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Whiteyg July 29, 2018 at 8:21 pm

This is the reason I went to school 😋

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Whiteyg July 29, 2018 at 8:31 pm

When I actually made it to school, This is the reason why 😋

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Cristina September 12, 2018 at 6:18 pm

I’m a fan of team Peanut Butter bread as well! Pretty please I NEED it in my life.

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Grace D September 27, 2018 at 6:40 am

My topping doesn’t stay put. After baking it falls off because it didn’t set into the coffee cake. Help!!

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Miriam October 3, 2018 at 6:21 pm

I made it this weekend. It came out dry and dense! So disappointed ☹️
Do you used metal pan?
I used glass.
Help….. pleased

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jenjenk December 20, 2018 at 5:21 pm

Yes, i used a metal pan and it did not come out dry or dense at all. I did use a standard oven – is yours a convection? that could have something to do with it!

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Jenny Trevino October 8, 2018 at 6:20 am

I really,really want the square cinnamon rolls recipe please!

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Myra Elisa December 20, 2018 at 11:46 am

This is awesome Jen! I had to share it with my readers and followers, your recipe is spot on! Imagine, that this coffee cake is so beloved that your post is as relevant today as it was in 2009! Truly a childhood treasure for all of us pre-2000’s alumns of LAUSD.

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Kasia Szpigiel Hadloc August 24, 2021 at 12:59 pm

I’ve been looking forever! Thanks! **What was the OIL portion before you switched it to butter?

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jenjenk August 24, 2021 at 1:09 pm

Yes!! sorry, ignore the oil portion. the original called for oil instead of butter but i just liked the flavor better…

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