Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
This is one of my favourite homemade cakes, with and without icing. This coffee cake is slightly different from what you may be used to, in that I don’t make coffee to add to the cake. Instead, I add good quality instant coffee granules straight to the batter right at the end, with the flour.
The result is a wonderful hit of coffee aroma with just a hint of bitter as you have a bite of the cake. It’s beautiful to look at too, as you slice it, you see all these little black dots, almost like poppy seeds! The addition of cardamom lifts the flavour and adds just a hint of warmth to the coffee cake.
To ice or not to ice?
This is an oft requested cake by clients, for whom it’s always iced. Buttercream icing transforms the cake into a celebration cake and also adds sweet and cream to the flavour mix. When I make it at home, I leave it un-iced, and we have it warm with some ice cream and even custard.
Depending on the clients, I have used plain old vanilla buttercream, which is amazing with this as it tones down any lingering coffee hint of bitter, if you are not a massive fan of coffee, which is usually the case with kids.
Coffee buttercream is another good one, if a bit of an obvious choice. Take a look at my Buttercream Icing page for all the various flavours. If you are not too confident about icing cakes, take a look at my Cake Decorating page, where you’ll find all the necessary information, like Icing and Filling Cakes with Buttercream.
The Coffee
My favourite kind for this is the instant coffee granules that are mixed with ground coffee beans. There are quite a few brands out there doing this, I use the Kenco Millicano for it.
You’ll need an 8″ (20 cm) cake pan, line it and grease it as required.
Now, let’s get our aprons on!
If you like the recipe and article, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! 😉 Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood.
Lin xx
Coffee Cake (with Optional Coffee Buttercream Icing)
Ingredients
- 160 g salted butter
- 160 g sugar
- 200 g self raising flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp instant coffee granules
- seeds of 6 cardamoms ground
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
Optional Coffee Buttercream
- 250 g regular salted butter
- 600 g icing (powdered) sugar
- 2 Tbsp strong espresso OR strong instant coffee whatever you drink
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180˚C (350˚F/160˚C Fan).
- Sift flour and baking powder.
- Cream the butter and sugar for a minute until light and pale.
- Add eggs, one at a time, with a tsp of flour with each addition, beating about a minute in between. The flour will stop the mixture from curdling.
- Add the vanilla and cardamom and lightly beat to mix.
- Fold in the flour and coffee and pour into your cake pan.
- Bake for about 40-45 minutes.
- Leave to cool in the tin before turning out.
- If you are icing, as in the pictures, make sure your cake is completely cool, before doing so. To ice the cake, please head on over to the Icing and Filling Cakes with Buttercream page.
Optional Coffee Buttercream
- Place the butter in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy, about a minute.
- Add the icing sugar and beat until thoroughly combined and smooth. You’ll end up with a very pale cream mix.
- Add the coffee and vanilla and beat to mix.
- Keep it covered with cling film until you’re ready to use it.
Notes
The Nutritional info and total time is for the cake without the icing.
Daniela says
I love cooking with granulated coffee; it really brings out the chocolate flavor in desserts. Also, beautiful pics!
Azlin Bloor says
It sure does, thank you.
Nicole Shillings says
Oh wow – this is my kind of coffee cake… are real one! Absolutely gorgeous! I bet it’s delicious!
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you, it sure is!
Andrea says
first of all these pictures are fireeeeee. The cake itself looks incredible and I really like how you decorated it, You did a fabulous job!
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you Andrea!
Derek | Dad With A Pan says
If that cake tastes as half as good as it looks, then I’m all in! Definitely going to try this out!
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you Derek!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
OMG does this look delicious. You know, I have never iced a coffee cake. Perhaps perhaps because I like eating it for breakfast. Hey…the more caffeine the better!!
Azlin Bloor says
Thanks Gloria. If truth be told, I prefer it without the icing!
Jeni says
This cake is TOO pretty! And a coffee cake that has actual coffee in it is brilliant! Also, I’m excited by your coffee buttercream. #POSSIBILITIES!
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you! I know, I’m always bemused when I come across coffee cake without coffee, just meant to be eaten with coffee!
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says
What a gorgeous cake! I love coffee, I like how you’ve added the coffee granules with the flour at the end. Your cake would be perfect with my morning cup of coffee.
Marie-Pierre Breton says
This sounds dreamy! I’m a caffeine maniac… couldn’t live without my morning coffee and now I ll have to try this fluffy airy caffeine cake of yours, it looks too yummy to be true.
Azlin Bloor says
Haha, thank you!
Corina says
Such a beautiful cake! I love the different serving suggestions too. Serving a cake warm with ice cream is a great dessert and saves having to spend time decorating it.
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you!
Constance Smith says
Now you are a lady after my own heart. Not only is this cake stunning, (I am so impressed) but it contains my favorite food/beverage item on the planet, coffee. This is the perfect cake.
Azlin Bloor says
Thank you so much!
Kitchen Karma says
Lovely cake!
Sofie Dittmann @thegermanfoodie says
Can I just say, “yummy”? 🙂
Dawn says
Your cake was gorgeous. Nice job.
Paloma says
Thanks for adding your amazing coffee cake to my link up party! Do you think you could link back to us somewhere in this post? If not… then just join us next Friday and link back so more people can join us at our “Coffee Party” 😉 Thanks again!
missyblurkit says
that’s a gorgeous cake. i’ve not had much luck with baking cakes…and what more decorating them. lol.
CJ at Food Stories says
No theme necessary … Just chill. Love the coffee cake, by the way 🙂
Purabi Naha says
Wow, great to know that you are so busy in catering and cake jobs. This cake looks fabulous!! May I have a bite please!
[email protected] says
You have been a busy bee! Thanks for taking some time out to showcase one of your recipes. The coffee granules as well as the cardamon do make an excellent pairing. Also I like the uniqueness of the wonderful way it is decorated. Great post!
Paloma says
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a nice comment! I subscribed to your posts! 😉 I thought that cake didn’t look like a “coffee cake” but now I see that it is literally a COFFEE cake because it HAS COFFEE in it… lol… so… yummy!!!
Cucina49 says
I’m excited to catch up with your blog again. What a fabulous-looking cake!
Alida says
Stunning cake! It must be delicious too! Well done you!
Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook) says
that cake sounds so delicious and looks great! awesome job!
Nava Krishnan says
My god Lin, You have such fantastic skills in decorating the cake. Better than those sold in cake shops. Love it all the way. Btw, I didn’t know you do catering too. I suppose I can understand why I didn’ t hear from you for some time.
Choc Chip Uru says
This cake is decorated to perfection my friend – I absolutely love it 😀
I’m so glad you can relax and enjoy it now!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru