Coffee Cake Recipe

Why is it called coffee cake if it doesn't contain coffee?

Coffee cake gets its name not because it contains coffee as an ingredient, but because it was traditionally served as the perfect accompaniment during coffee time. This sweet and fluffy cake was specifically designed to complement the flavor of hot coffee, creating a balanced snack experience where the sweetness of the cake contrasts with the bitterness of the beverage. Unlike other cakes that can be too heavy or overly sweet, coffee cake has a moderate texture and sweetness that makes it ideal to enjoy at any time of day, especially during breakfast or afternoon tea. Its distinctive feature is the crispy streusel on top, which provides a perfect textural contrast when enjoyed with a cup of coffee.

Techniques for achieving a moist and tender coffee cake

The key to achieving a perfectly moist and tender coffee cake lies in several fundamental elements:

Initial preparation

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature (350°F/175°C) for even baking.
• Grease and flour the pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Key ingredients for moisture

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt, which adds moisture while providing a tender texture and balanced flavor.
• A combination of butter and vegetable oil, as the oil helps maintain moisture for longer.
• Buttermilk, which works together with the baking powder to create a soft and fluffy texture.

Mixing techniques

• Beat the butter with sugar until creamy and pale, approximately 3-5 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Don't overmix the batter when incorporating dry ingredients, as this develops gluten and results in a dense cake.

Baking secrets

• Bake at moderate temperature so the cake cooks evenly from center to edges.
• Start checking doneness 5-10 minutes before the indicated time to avoid drying out the cake.
• The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Let rest in the pan for 10 minutes before unmolding.

The importance of streusel or crispy topping

Streusel is much more than a simple topping - it's a distinctive element that defines an authentic coffee cake. This crispy layer creates a fundamental textural contrast that elevates each bite, providing not only a crunchy element but also a deeper and more complex flavor.

Handling streusel ingredients

• Keep the butter very cold and cut into uniform small cubes until the exact moment of use.
• Carefully sift dry ingredients in a large bowl to ensure a lump-free mixture.
• Make sure the brown sugar is at room temperature and free of lumps for perfect integration.
• Prepare and measure all ingredients in advance, arranging them in order of use.

Preparation

• Combine dry ingredients using gentle folding motions until achieving a homogeneous mixture.
• Work the cold butter with fingertips until achieving a coarse sand-like texture.
• Handle the mixture with quick and precise movements to prevent hand heat from melting the butter.
• Delicately create various-sized crumbs to obtain a topping with interesting textures.

Essential techniques

• Refrigerate the streusel mixture for exactly 15 minutes to ensure the crumbs maintain their shape.
• Carefully scatter the cold crumbs over the batter, maintaining size variety for better texture.
• Distribute the streusel with gentle movements from a height to prevent it from sinking into the wet batter.
• Position the pan on the upper oven rack to achieve uniform and crispy browning.

Secrets for perfect texture

• Use only fingertips to form loose and natural crumbs without compacting them too much.
• Ensure the cake batter is completely level before adding the streusel topping.
• Apply the streusel in thin, uniform layers to ensure perfectly distributed coverage.
• Keep the oven closed throughout the baking process to allow the crust to form naturally.

Tips for maintaining crispy texture

• Let the coffee cake reach room temperature before covering or storing.
• Store in a cool, dry place, avoiding any moisture sources that could affect texture.
• Briefly heat in the oven at low temperature to restore original crispiness when needed.
• Serve individual portions and avoid stacking them to maintain the streusel's crispy integrity.

Basic ingredients for a perfect coffee cake

A perfect coffee cake requires fresh, quality ingredients. Precise measurements are essential to achieve the characteristic moist and tender texture of this dessert.

For the cake batter:

1. All-purpose flour: 2½ cups - Provides structure and supports all ingredients.
2. Granulated sugar: 1 cup - Sweetens and helps retain moisture in the batter.
3. Unsalted butter: 1 cup - Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
4. Eggs: 3 units - Provide structure and act as emulsifiers.
5. Sour cream: 1 cup - Adds moisture and makes the cake more tender.
6. Baking powder: 2 teaspoons - Allows the batter to rise evenly.
7. Baking soda: ½ teaspoon - Activates with acidic ingredients to provide lightness.
8. Salt: ½ teaspoon - Enhances all flavors.
9. Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons - Adds depth of flavor.

For the streusel:

1. All-purpose flour: 1 cup - Base for the crispy texture.
2. Brown sugar: ¾ cup - Provides caramelized flavor and texture.
3. Cold butter: ½ cup - Creates characteristic crumbs.
4. Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons - Gives the streusel its characteristic flavor.
5. Salt: ¼ teaspoon - Balances the sweet flavors.

How to make coffee cake step by step

The key to a perfect coffee cake lies in following each step with precision and patience. Remember to have all ingredients at room temperature before starting, except for the streusel butter.

Step 1: Initial preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch pan, making sure to cover all corners for perfect unmolding.
• In a medium bowl, sift together 2½ cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Step 2: Streusel preparation

• Mix 1 cup flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
• Incorporate ½ cup cold cubed butter using fingertips until achieving a sandy texture with different-sized crumbs.
• Refrigerate the mixture while preparing the batter to maintain perfect streusel texture.

Step 3: Base batter creation

• Beat 1 cup room temperature butter with 1 cup sugar for 3-5 minutes until creamy and pale.
• Incorporate 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Step 4: Incorporating wet and dry ingredients

• Alternate adding the sifted dry ingredients and 1 cup sour cream in three parts, starting and ending with dry ingredients.
• Mix gently just until incorporated, avoiding overmixing to maintain the fluffy texture.

Step 5: Cake assembly

• Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and gently level the surface with a silicone spatula.
• Sprinkle one-third of the chilled streusel over this first layer of batter.
• Add the remaining batter and carefully level without mixing with the streusel layer.
• Finish by covering with remaining streusel, distributing evenly without pressing down.

Step 6: Baking and cooling

• Bake on the upper rack for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20-25 minutes before unmolding to maintain structure.

Step 7: Unmolding

• Gently run a silicone spatula around the pan edges to loosen the cake.
• Place a cooling rack over the pan and carefully flip the whole assembly.
• Gently tap the pan edges to help release the cake.
• Slowly lift the pan, allowing the cake to release by gravity.

The secret to an exceptional coffee cake lies in patience and care at each step, especially in distributing the streusel between layers and on top, which gives it that characteristic touch we all love.

How to perfectly unmold without breaking the streusel

To achieve a perfect unmolding of the coffee cake without damaging the streusel, it's essential to follow a meticulous process that begins with pan preparation:

Pan preparation

• Generously grease the pan with non-stick spray with flour or vegetable shortening, covering every corner.
• Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper's surface again.
• Avoid using butter for greasing, as milk solids can cause the cake to stick.

Cooling time

• Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20-25 minutes.
• Don't let it cool completely in the pan, as this can make unmolding difficult.
• Make sure the cake is just warm to the touch before unmolding.

Unmolding process

• Gently run a silicone spatula around the edges of the pan.
• Place a cooling rack over the pan and carefully flip the whole assembly.
• Gently tap the edges of the pan to help release the cake.
• Slowly lift the pan, allowing the cake to release by gravity.

Additional tips

• If the cake doesn't release immediately, wait an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Don't try to force the unmolding when the cake is hot or completely cold.
• If any part of the streusel comes loose, gently reposition it while the cake is still warm.

Creative decorations and presentations

Decorations for a coffee cake can range from classic to modern, creating unique presentations that enhance its visual appeal:

Classic finishes

• Dust powdered sugar over the surface creating patterns with decorative stencils.
• Create a simple glaze with powdered sugar and coffee, making zigzag or spiral designs.
• Decorate with whole or chopped toasted nuts around the upper edge.

Coffee elements

• Garnish with strategically placed chocolate-covered coffee beans.
• Create a spiral pattern with coffee cream to simulate latte art.
• Dust cocoa powder using coffee design stencils.

Modern touches

• Apply a coffee-flavored chocolate drip around the upper edge.
• Make coffee cream rosettes using a piping bag with a 1M tip.
• Decorate with crushed speculoos cookies for texture.

Final presentation

• Serve on a large white plate to highlight the details.
• Accompany with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in complementary dinnerware.
• Add decorative elements like edible flowers or fresh mint leaves.

The key is maintaining visual balance and not overdoing the decoration so that the coffee cake remains the star.

Tips for storing and keeping fresh for longer

To keep your coffee cake fresh and delicious for longer, follow these fundamental tips:

Room temperature storage

• Store the coffee cake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, ensuring it's completely covered to maintain moisture.
• Keep the cake in a cool, dry place between 64-72°F (18-22°C), away from direct sunlight and any heat source.
• At room temperature, it will maintain its ideal freshness and texture for 2-3 days if properly stored.

Refrigerator storage

• Carefully wrap the cake in plastic wrap, making sure there are no air pockets that could dry it out.
• Place it in an airtight container and store at a constant temperature of 39°F (4°C) to maintain freshness.
• In the refrigerator, it can keep for up to a week, although it may lose some of its original moisture.

Freezer storage

• Wrap the coffee cake completely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil for additional protection against freezer burn.
• Store in a freezer-specific bag or container at 0°F (-18°C), making sure to remove as much air as possible.
• In the freezer, it will maintain its quality for up to 2-3 months if properly packed and kept at constant temperature.

Thawing tips

• Thaw in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours keeping all wrappings to preserve moisture.
• Let it reach room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving for better flavor and texture.
• To restore the streusel's crispy texture, briefly heat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes.

Additional recommendations

• Only cut the portions you'll consume immediately to maintain moisture and freshness in the remaining cake.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes that can affect the coffee cake's texture and structure.
• If you notice it has dried out, heat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving to restore softness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes coffee cake different from regular cake?

A: Coffee cake stands apart from other cakes due to its distinctive streusel topping and unique serving purpose. Unlike traditional cakes that are often frosted, coffee cake features a crumbly streusel top and is specifically designed to be less sweet and more bread-like in texture, making it perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Q: What is its origin?

A: Coffee cake has its origins in Northern and Central European countries, especially Germany and Austria. It evolved from a German cake called "kaffeeklatsch," which German immigrant women baked by adding spices, fruits, and nuts, but without coffee.

Q: How long does it stay fresh?

A: Coffee cake stays fresh and moist for up to 5-7 days when properly stored at room temperature in an airtight container. In the refrigerator, it can last up to a week, and in the freezer, it keeps well for up to 2-3 months.

Q: Can it be prepared in advance?

A: Yes, you can prepare coffee cake 1-2 days in advance, keeping it wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. It can also be frozen completely wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.