5-Ingredient Coffee Cake: Crazy-Fast, Crazy-Delicious

Introduction

Transform everyday pantry staples into a deliciously moist and flavorful coffee cake—perfect for busy weeknights or weekend brunches! This recipe is all about maximizing flavor and minimizing time, so you can enjoy a homemade treat without the fuss. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this easy-to-follow recipe.

Why This Works

This recipe prioritizes simplicity and deliciousness. The combination of buttery crumb topping and a spiced cake base creates a delightful flavor balance that’s hard to resist. The entire process is streamlined for efficiency, making it perfect for even the busiest cooks.

Key Ingredients

• 🍰 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 🥚 2 large eggs
• 🥛 1 cup milk
• 🧈 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 🍯 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ☕ 1 teaspoon ground coffee
• 🥄 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 🥄 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 🍊 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 🥣 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 🍬 1/2 cup granulated sugar for the topping

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prep step ensures your coffee cake releases easily from the pan.

2️⃣ In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter (🧈) and brown sugar (🍯) until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air for a lighter texture. A stand or hand mixer works perfectly.

3️⃣ Beat in the eggs (🥚) one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract (🍊).

4️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour (🍰), ground coffee (☕), baking powder (🥄), baking soda (🥄), and salt (🧂).

5️⃣ Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.

6️⃣ Stir in the milk (🥛) and walnuts (optional) (🥣).

7️⃣ Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

8️⃣ In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar (🍬) and remaining butter (🧈). Use your fingers to crumble this mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.

9️⃣ Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

🔟 Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Handy Tips

• For an even crumb topping, use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the butter and sugar together quickly.
• If you don’t have walnuts, feel free to use pecans, chopped almonds, or leave them out altogether.
• Don’t overbake the cake. Overbaking will result in a dry cake. Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes.

Heat Control

Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures even cooking and a perfectly golden-brown crumb topping. Using an oven thermometer helps to maintain consistent heat throughout your oven, which will assist in baking a perfect cake. Too low heat and it will take too long and might be undercooked in the center; too high and the edges might burn before the middle is ready.

Crunch Factor

The crunchy crumb topping provides a delicious textural contrast to the moist cake base. The combination of butter and sugar in the topping creates a satisfyingly crisp texture when baked.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• For a richer coffee flavor, use freshly brewed strong coffee instead of instant coffee granules.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for an extra warm spice note.
• Use a springform pan for easier removal from the pan.

Storage Tips

Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Gift Packaging Ideas

Slice the cake into individual squares and package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon. You can also add a small decorative tag with a handwritten message.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Lemon Poppy Seed: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1/4 cup of poppy seeds to the batter.
🌟 Chocolate Chip: Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
🌟 Apple Cinnamon: Add 1 cup of diced apples and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
🌟 Orange Almond: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest and 1/2 cup of sliced almonds to the batter.

Troubleshooting

• Cake is dry: You may have overbaked the cake. Next time, check for doneness earlier.
• Cake is gummy: You may have underbaked the cake. Bake for a few more minutes, checking frequently.
• Crumb topping is too brown: Reduce oven temperature slightly next time.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different type of sugar? A: Yes, you can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time? A: Yes, but it’s best to store it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it for up to a week.

Q: Can I freeze this cake? A: Yes, you can freeze the baked cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Let it thaw completely at room temperature before serving.

Q: What can I substitute for the milk? A: You can use buttermilk or almond milk.

Q: Can I use different nuts? A: Yes, you can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds or other nuts. You can also omit the nuts completely.

Conclusion

This Delicious Coffee Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions make it perfect for busy weeknights, and the delightful flavor combinations offer endless possibilities. We hope you enjoy baking – and more importantly, eating – this delicious treat. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media!