Coffee cake is a delightful treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. Its moist texture, sweet flavor, and sometimes crunchy topping make it a beloved breakfast or snack option. While you can buy coffee cake at many bakeries and cafes, making it from scratch allows you to customize the ingredients and enjoy the satisfaction of baking your own. In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of making coffee cake from scratch, complete with step-by-step instructions, tips, and a conclusion. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to bake your own perfect coffee cake.
Ingredients and Equipment
Before diving into the recipe, let’s gather the ingredients and equipment you’ll need:
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 and 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk or sour milk (see tip below)
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (65g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (55g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1/3 cup (50g) chopped nuts (optional, such as pecans or walnuts)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- 9-inch square baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Preparing Your Ingredients
Before you start mixing, it’s essential to prepare your ingredients properly. This ensures the best texture and flavor in your coffee cake.
Measure Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: Use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This method prevents over-measuring, which can lead to a dense cake. Measure the baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set them aside in a small bowl.
Prepare Buttermilk or Sour Milk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make sour milk by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles.
Soften Butter: Make sure the butter for both the cake and the streusel topping is softened but not melted. You can leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes or microwave it for a few seconds until it’s just soft enough to press with your finger.
Chill Butter for Streusel Topping: The butter for the streusel topping should be chilled. This helps it stay in small cubes when mixed with the dry ingredients, creating a crunchy texture when baked.
Making the Cake Batter
Now, let’s start making the cake batter:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides with butter or non-stick spray. This will make it easier to remove the cake from the pan once it’s baked.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the butter and sugar, making the cake lighter and more tender.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts (start and end with the dry ingredients). Mix until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix, as this can cause the cake to be dense and tough. The batter should be thick and well combined.
Making the Streusel Topping
While the cake batter is mixing, let’s prepare the streusel topping:
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the butter is evenly distributed and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you’re using nuts, fold them in now. The mixture should be crumbly and clumpy, with visible pieces of butter.
Assembling and Baking the Coffee Cake
Now, it’s time to assemble and bake your coffee cake:
Spread Batter in Pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake batter. Use your hands to press the topping lightly into the batter, ensuring it’s well distributed.
Bake: Bake the coffee cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. The cake should be set and spring back to the touch.
Cool: Allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan and place it on the rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from continuing to cook and becoming overly dry.
Tips for Perfect Coffee Cake
Here are some tips to ensure your coffee cake is perfect:
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps the ingredients blend together more easily and ensures a smoother batter.
Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing can cause the cake to be dense and tough. Mix until just combined.
Chill the Butter: Chilling the butter for the streusel topping helps it stay in small cubes when mixed with the dry ingredients, creating a crunchy texture when baked.
Measure Flour Properly: Use the spoon and level method to measure the flour. Over-measuring can lead to a dense cake.
Use Quality Ingredients: Investing in good-quality ingredients, such as unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and fresh nuts, will make a noticeable difference in the flavor and texture of your coffee cake.
Serving and Storing Coffee Cake
Once your coffee cake is cooled, it’s ready to serve and enjoy. Here are some serving and storing tips:
Serve Warm or at Room Temperature: Coffee cake is delicious served warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It’s also great at room temperature, paired with a cup of coffee or tea.
Store in an Airtight Container: Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
Conclusion
Making coffee cake from scratch is a rewarding culinary experience that yields a delicious, homemade treat. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a moist, flavorful coffee cake with a crunchy streusel topping. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, coffee cake is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start baking your own perfect coffee cake today! Enjoy the process and the delicious results.
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