Coffee Crumb Cake
Coffee Crumb Cake
A tender, coffee-infused cake and buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumbs that makes this coffee crumb cake absolutely irresistible. Perfect for lazy weekend mornings, afternoon coffee breaks, or whenever you need a little comfort in cake form, this recipe delivers bakery-quality results right from your home kitchen.
The cake itself is infused with rich coffee flavor, while the generous crumb topping adds the perfect textural contrast with its sweet, crunchy bite. It's not overly sweet, making it ideal for pairing with your morning cup of joe or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, soften
½ cup ricotta cheese
3 large egg
½ cup whole milk
⅓ cup strong brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
Instructions
Prepare the Crumb Topping:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the melted butter and use a fork to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces. Set aside.
The Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F . Grease a 9-inch deep cake pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In a stand mixer bowl, combine soften butter, ricotta cheese, sugar and brown sugar until combined evenly.
Add on egg at a time until combined.
Add milk, cooled coffee or espresso, vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in small increments and mix just until combined. Don't over-mix – a few lumps are perfectly fine.
Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan.
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Bake:
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let cool in the pan for at least 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Coffee Crumb Cake
Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture. Take your egg and milk out about 30 minutes before baking.
Don't skip the coffee cooling step – hot coffee can cook the egg and create an unpleasant texture.
Melted butter is key for the perfect crumb topping. The contrast between melted butter and room temperature flour creates those coveted chunky crumbs.
Test for doneness carefully – this cake is meant to be moist, so a few crumbs on the toothpick are actually perfect.
Storage and Serving
This coffee crumb cake stays fresh covered at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can refrigerate it for up to a week. It's delicious served warm or at room temperature, and pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk.
For an extra special treat, serve it slightly warmed with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Variations to Try
Chocolate Coffee Crumb Cake: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the cake batter
Nutty Twist: Fold ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumb topping
Spiced Version: Add a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom to both the cake and crumb topping
This coffee crumb cake proves that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most satisfying. With its tender crumb, rich coffee flavor, and irresistible topping, it's bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
