I am a coffee lover through and through. From the moment I wake up in the morning to the late hours of the night, coffee has always been my go-to companion. So, when I discovered the delightful and indulgent creation that is Coffee Crunch Cake, my world was forever changed. This delectable dessert combines the rich and bold flavors of coffee with the irresistible crunch of toffee, creating a heavenly treat that is sure to satisfy any caffeine addict’s cravings. Today, I am going to share with you my recipe for Coffee Crunch Cake, so you can enjoy this divine dessert in the comfort of your own home.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. For the cake, you will need:
– 2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 2 cups of granulated sugar
– 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup of strong brewed coffee, cooled
– 1/2 cup of buttermilk
– 3 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons of baking powder
– 1 teaspoon of baking soda
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
For the coffee crunch, you will need:
– 1 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee
– 1/2 cup of heavy cream
– 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon of instant coffee granules
– 1/2 cup of crushed toffee bits
Making the Cake
Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s get started on making the cake. Follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the cooled brewed coffee and buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
6. Stir in the vanilla extract.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
9. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Creating the Coffee Crunch
Next up, it’s time to make the irresistible coffee crunch that will take this cake to a whole new level. Here’s what you need to do:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brewed coffee, heavy cream, butter, and instant coffee granules.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a temperature of 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer. This is known as the hard crack stage.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the crushed toffee bits until well combined.
4. Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer.
5. Let the coffee crunch cool and harden for about 20-30 minutes.
6. Once cooled, break the coffee crunch into small, bite-sized pieces.
Assembling the Coffee Crunch Cake
Finally, it’s time to assemble our masterpiece. Follow these steps to put together the Coffee Crunch Cake:
1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
2. Spread a generous amount of coffee crunch on top of the cake layer, creating an even layer.
3. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the coffee crunch, pressing down slightly.
4. Frost the entire cake with your favorite coffee-flavored frosting. You can make a simple coffee buttercream by creaming together 1 cup of unsalted butter, 4 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of strong brewed coffee, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
5. Decorate the cake with additional coffee crunch pieces, if desired.
6. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving, to allow the flavors to meld together.
Indulge in the Coffee Delight
And there you have it – a mouthwatering Coffee Crunch Cake that will satisfy even the most discerning coffee lover. This recipe combines the robustness of coffee with the sweetness of toffee for a truly unforgettable dessert experience. Serve this cake at your next gathering or simply enjoy it as a special treat for yourself. Either way, it is sure to impress and delight all who have the pleasure of tasting it. So, grab your apron, gather the ingredients, and get ready to indulge in this perfect creation for coffee lovers like us!