Coffee cake facts for kids

An American style coffee cake with crumbles on top

Coffee walnut cake

A coffee cake can be either

• a cake made with, or flavoured with, coffee;
• a cake intended to be served with coffee or for similar breaks and snacks. This type of cake may or may not contain coffee.

Coffee cakes are typically single layer cakes that may be square or rectangular like a Stollen. Coffee cakes are typically flavored with cinnamon, nuts, and fruits. These cakes sometimes have a crumbly or crumb topping called Streusel and a light glaze drizzle. In American, they are frequently eaten at festive breakfasts.

Coffee cakes can be similar to teacakes, but teacakes are often smaller individual items served with tea.

Varieties

American coffee cake

A variety of crumb cake (Streuselkuchen) which contains flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon granules on top.

Applesauce cake

Applesauce cake is sometimes prepared and served as a coffee cake.

Arany galuska

In Hungary, there is a type of coffee cake called aranygaluska containing walnuts and cinnamon.

Basic Recipe

• Streusel

1/4 cup (30g) plain flour 2/3 cup (150g) white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 65g butter

• Cake

2 cups (250g) plain flour 3/4 cup (150g) white sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 125g butter 1 egg 3/4 cup (190ml) milk, or as needed 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence

• Directions

Preparation: 20min › Cook:30min › Extra time: 1hour cooling › Ready in: 1hour50min Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and flour a 23x33cm cake tin.

Streusel: In a medium bowl combine 1/4 cup flour, 2/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Rub in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside. Cake: In a large bowl combine 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Rub in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Crack an egg into a measuring cup and then add milk to make 1 cup. Stir in vanilla. Pour into crumb mixture and mix until just moistened. Spread into prepared tin. Sprinkle top with streusel.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Images for kids

• 

  American Cranberry Coffee cake

• 

  Applesauce American coffee cake slices on a plate

• 

  Coffee cake with coffee butter cream