Coffee cake is one of my all-time favorite desserts. The combination of warm, buttery cake and a delicious crumbly topping is simply irresistible. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, a good coffee cake is sure to delight your taste buds. In this article, I will share with you my tried and tested recipe for a simple coffee cake that you can easily make at home.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather all the ingredients we will need to make this delightful coffee cake. You will need:
1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 cup granulated sugar
3. ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4. 1 cup sour cream
5. 2 eggs
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7. 1 teaspoon baking powder
8. ½ teaspoon baking soda
9. ¼ teaspoon salt
For the crumbly topping, you will need:
1. ½ cup all-purpose flour
2. ½ cup granulated sugar
3. ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
4. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mixing the Batter
Now that we have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start making the coffee cake batter. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can easily be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, add in the sour cream and vanilla extract, and mix until everything is well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense and tough cake.
Preparing the Crumb Topping
Now let’s move on to preparing the crumbly topping for our coffee cake. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, softened butter, and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to mix everything together until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Assembling the Coffee Cake
With our batter and crumb topping ready, it’s time to assemble our coffee cake. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9-inch round cake pan.
Pour half of the cake batter into the greased pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle half of the crumb topping over the batter. Then, pour the remaining batter on top, followed by the rest of the crumb topping.
Baking and Serving
Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, your kitchen will be filled with the aroma of butter and cinnamon, making it hard to resist.
Once the coffee cake is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This will allow it to set and make it easier to remove from the pan. After 10 minutes, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, it is ready to be served. You can cut it into slices and enjoy it just as it is, or if you want to take it to the next level, you can serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Conclusion
Making a simple coffee cake that will delight your taste buds doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few basic ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can create a moist and flavorful cake that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. Give this recipe a try and treat yourself to a slice of homemade goodness. Your taste buds will thank you!