What could be better than waking up to a freshly baked Coffee Cake and a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee? Actually, it’s everyone’s dream to eat cake for breakfast and any meal thereafter. If we could somehow pretend that eating cake is just as healthy as munching on vegetables, I would gladly do the baking every. single. day! I might even convince hubby to join me for this quest – he loves anything to do with coffee. 😉
Why Is It Called Coffee Cake?
Before you call me out and ask me why there’s no coffee in this supposed “COFFEE CAKE”, let me tell you…there’s really no trace of coffee in this cake. Nada! Unlike the British Coffee Cake which is coffee-flavored, Americans tend to associate any sweet cakes intended to be eaten with coffee or tea as COFFEE CAKE. And there lies the origin of the name.
Is Crumb Cake The Same as Coffee Cake?
Okay, this heated question here still seems to bother some. But I’ll be answering this question based on my own understanding and as a huge cake lover as well. First off, Crumb Cake tends to have a thicker crumb ratio to cake or just as much crumb as the cake itself. It’s usually baked in a square or sheet pan and neither contains fruits or nuts. Coffee Cake on the other hand is lightly crumbed/streuseled. Actually, any sweet cakes that pair well with a cup of coffee, can be called coffee cake. It can contain nuts, fruits and so much more. In short, a coffee cake could be a crumb cake, while a crumb cake could not be a coffee cake. I hope I’m not draining your brain cells too much (like mine) with this. Jeeezzzz…. All I wanna do is just eat all sorts of cake and leave that debating stuff to those who enjoy it.
Why Did My Streusel Topping Melt?
Streusel refers to that sugary crumbly topping on fruit pies and cakes. For a coffee cake, a beautiful, buttery, sugary, crumbly topping is its crowning glory. Seeing that crumbly top melt and all flat out could be a little disheartening to watch. Well, the key to avoid your streusel from melting is using cold butter. Using room temperature or melted butter will flatten out your topping instead of leaving them standing out and perky. Here are few other tips that you need to take when making that perfect streusel:
What Else Can I Add in My Coffee Cake?
Mmmm. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to your coffee cake. You can add some peach into your cake, blueberries, apples, bananas and so on. Or go with the traditional way by adding some mini-chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
Can I Make this in a Regular Baking Dish?
Yes, you sure can. Bake this using a 13×9 baking dish and bake at 325 F for about 40 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
How Long Does The Coffee Cake Last?
This cake keeps well for several days and will still have that tender and moist crumb. For leftovers, simply keep them in the pan and cover tightly with a plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4-5 days or in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Can I Freeze Coffee Cake?
Yes, you sure can. This coffee cake could easily pass as a hassle-free make-ahead breakfast, brunch and even dessert. To freeze the coffee cake:
More Breakfast/Brunch Recipes To Enjoy
Caribbean Banana Nut Bread Cinnamon Bread Rolls German Pancakes Cream Cheese Pound Cake Biscuits and Sausage Gravy French Toast Bake Banana Pineapple Bread (with video)
How To Make Coffee Cake
Preheat the oven at 350 degree F. Then grease a 10-inch tube pan generously with baking spray and set aside. Using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for about 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time and gently mix for about a minute between each addition. Then add the milk, sour cream and vanilla extract, continue mixing until combine about 1 to 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the batter and mix until just combined, about a minute or more. Use a spatula to finish mixing making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so everything is completely mixed.
How To Make Streusel
For the streusel, place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter in a medium size bowl, pinch ingredients together using your fingers until it forms a crumble. Spoon half the cake batter into the pre-greased baking pan and spread it out with a spatula. Cover the top with about three quarters of the streusel. Spoon the rest of the batter into the pan, spread it out, and sprinkle the remaining streusel on top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester inserted at the center of the cake comes out clean. When ready, place cake on a wire rack and let it cool completely, about 30 minutes. Transfer cake streusel side up to a serving plate. Using a fork or spoon, drizzle your favorite glaze on the top using as much glaze as you will like. [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”pw4IFBeL” upload-date=”2019-10-01T07:05:01.000Z” name=”Coffee Cake” description=”Coffee Cake – easy and delicious coffee cake with tender crumbs, layered and topped with a crumbly streusel topping and vanilla drizzle. It’s the ultimate breakfast and weekend brunch, too!”]
