What is Coffee Cake and Who Makes it Best? | Goldbelly (2024)

Published on September 18th, 2023
Updated on January 11th, 2024

In this article

  • Does Coffee Cake Actually Have Coffee in it?
  • Does Coffee Cake Taste Like Coffee?
  • What Makes Coffee Cake Different From Cake?
  • Why is it Called Coffee Cake?
  • Most Famous Coffee Cakes

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIGHT AND FLUFFY COFFEE CAKE WITH CRUMB TOPPING

Coffee plus cake? Yes, please! When it comes to getting a kick-start to our morning, we can’t think of a better combination than a piping hot mug of freshly roasted coffee and a thick slice of moist and flavorful coffee cake.

If you haven’t tried coffee cake with a cup of Joe, one bite and you’ll wonder where this coffee combo has bean all your life.

Does Coffee Cake Actually Have Coffee in it?

No, coffee cake does not actually have coffee in it. This is a sweet cake typically made with a ribbon of cinnamon and topped with nuts, glaze, or streusel. Early versions of this cake and many coffee cakes made outside the U.S. are coffee-flavored sponge cake.

This cake is, oftentimes, a ring cake but it can also be square or rectangular. Cinnamon is the most traditional cake flavor, but coffee cake comes in many flavors like:

  • Apple
  • Blueberry
  • Chocolate
  • Chocolate chip
  • Cinnamon
  • Cinnamon walnut
  • Cranberry
  • Pecan
  • Sour cream

Does Coffee Cake Taste Like Coffee?

No, coffee cake does not taste like coffee. There is no coffee or caffeine in this cake despite its name. This streusel cake tastes like a lightly sweetened cake and oftentimes has spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It is not a rich or overly sweet cake.

What Makes Coffee Cake Different From Cake?

The difference between coffee cake and regular cake is the topping. Coffee cake and regular cake are made with the same ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter and a leavening agent like baking powder.

The difference is that instead of frosting on top, coffee cakes have crumble or streusel. Just like a cake, it can also have glaze or icing. Another difference is coffee cake typically has a thin layer of cinnamon in the middle. Regular cakes have no filling or inner layers of frosting, ganache, custard, or jam.

Crumb cake is similar to coffee cake, but crumb cake has a thicker layer of streusel.

Read More: Different Types of Cakes Explained

Why is it Called Coffee Cake?

Coffee Cake is a staple in coffee shops and delis because it pairs well with coffee. It’s called coffee cake because it goes well with coffee. This delightful cake is delicious on its own but even better when it’s paired with a coffee drink like coffee, espresso, and lattes, or tea.

Throughout Europe and Scandinavia, it’s common to take a coffee break and socialize with friends over coffee and cake. The Danish were the first to pair coffee and sweet breads together. Germans also have the tradition of enjoying kaffee und kuchen and the Swedish have fika, a coffee and cake break.

Many attribute the German kaffekuchen as the inspiration for today’s coffee cake. European and Scandinavian immigrants coming to America in the 19th century brought their sweet breads. It wasn’t long before these transitioned to sweet cakes and the contemporary cake with a ring in it was born.

Often eaten at breakfast or during coffee breaks, this cake became extremely popular initially in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Nowadays, it’s easy to find this tasty cake everywhere, from coffee shops to delis to grocery stores.

Most Famous Coffee Cakes

America’s best bakeries, coffee shops, and delis are making the most flavorful, moist, and delicious cakes to help you have the best coffee break ever.

My Grandma of New England Coffee Cakes

Since 1990, My Grandma of New England Coffee Cakes has been baking its famous ringed cakes with golden crusts and crumbled topping. The Boston bakery started with its 8-inch Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake and expanded to include nearly one dozen flavors.

This signature cake features farm fresh eggs, pure Bourbon vanilla, sour cream, and a thick ribbon of cinnamon walnut streusel. Their other crave-worthy cake flavors include Cape Cod Cranberry, Granny Smith Apple, New England Blueberry and Pumpkin Spice.

Eli Zabar’s Russian Coffee Cake Tray

The famed New York City food store and delicatessen makes many famous baked goods. Coffee cake is one of them.
Eli Zabar’s Russian Coffee Cake Tray is a classic Zabar treat. Each 4 lb. tray of cake is made with sour cream dough, thick swirls of sweet filling, raisins, and nuts.

Strawberry Hill Baking Co.’s Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake

While Strawberry Hill Baking Co. is famous for its povitica. Slovenia swirled pastries, the Kansas City, Kansas, bakery makes a crave worthy Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake too. The Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake is made with cinnamon, sugar, sour cream, streusel, and walnuts. Each certified kosher cake is hand layered and weighs more than 2 lbs.

Make the coffee + cake combo of your dreams crumb true. The best coffee cakes from America’s top bakers are shipping nationwide on Goldbelly!

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What is Coffee Cake and Who Makes it Best? | Goldbelly (2024)

FAQs

What makes it a coffee cake? ›

Coffee cake or coffeecake is a sweet bread common in the United States, so called because it is typically served with coffee. Leavenings can include yeast, baking soda, or baking powder. The modern dish typically contains no coffee.

What is the difference between a regular cake and a coffee cake? ›

The difference between coffee cake and regular cake is the topping. Coffee cake and regular cake are made with the same ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter and a leavening agent like baking powder. The difference is that instead of frosting on top, coffee cakes have crumble or streusel.

What is the meaning of coffee and cake? ›

coffee and cakes (uncountable) (theater, slang) A meagre salary.

Who created the coffee cake? ›

The first coffee cake likely originated in Germany, specifically in Dresden. However, the Danish came up with the earliest version of eating a type of sweet bread while drinking coffee, so coffee cakes really evolved from many different cultural traditions. We do know that coffee was introduced to Europe in the 1600s.

Is coffee cake an American thing? ›

Food historians agree that the tradition of coffee cake originated in Northern Central Europe sometime in the 17th century, marrying the introduction of coffee to Europe with an already-rich history of cake and pastry-baking.

Why do people eat coffee cake? ›

Coffee cake is a pastry originally meant to be enjoyed, and even dipped into coffee. It softens the cake when wet and the typical cinnamon filling will sweeten the coffee. Eat and Drink how you please, however.

Is coffee cake better warm or cold? ›

You can serve this cake while it's still warm from the oven, at room temperature, or even cold. Leftovers can be covered and stored for a few days at room temperature. Coffee Cakes are the informal cakes, the ones for everyday.

Is a king cake a coffee cake? ›

The name “king cake” comes from the Biblical story of the three kings who bring gifts to Baby Jesus. A blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll, king cake is usually iced in yellow, green and purple – the colors of Mardi Gras -- and is frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses.

What coffee is best in cake? ›

A dark roast or robust espresso will give rich, hearty treats plenty of depth, while a lighter, fruitier variety won't overpower a delicate dessert. Follow the recipe's instructions for coffee temperature, too.

What does cake mean on girl? ›

In slang, 'cake' often refers to a person's backside – it's a playful, cheeky term. Reminds me of this one time at a barbecue when my friend joked about my husband's 'cake' after his gym sessions. We all had a good laugh!

Why is coffee cake called Buckle? ›

A buckle is a funny name for an old fashioned fruit studded coffee cake. Like many other desserts in the extended cobbler family buckles take their name from their appearance—grunts grunt as they cook, slumps slump when served, buckles—you guessed it—buckle.

Do you eat coffee cake with coffee? ›

Coffee cakes and delicious scones are both treats usually paired with lattes and coffees alike!

Is coffee cake breakfast or dessert? ›

Coffee cake can is a versatile pastry that you can serve for breakfast or dessert! It's nice having an excuse to eat a cake for breakfast, so indulge in a delicious slice in the morning. Or serve it for a snack in the afternoon. It's also amazing served as an after-dinner dessert.

What's the difference between coffee cake and crumb cake? ›

The primary difference is in the crumbs. While coffee cake may have a small streusel on top or layered inside like a ribbon filling, crumb cake has a much thicker layer of streusel topping and is essentially half crumb, half cake.

Is coffee cake a cake or bread? ›

A coffee cake is a traditional pound cake with a single layer of cinnamon-flavored simple cake with swirls. Contrary to how it's called coffee cake, it doesn't have any coffee ingredients. A coffee cake is a sweet treat with bread-like consistency, texture, and taste served with coffee or tea.

Why is it called coffee cake if it doesn't have coffee? ›

Coffee breaks as we call them now. A lot of the traditional recipes enjoyed during these breaks were given the name of coffee bread or coffee cakes based on the times they were enjoyed. And so the coffee cake was born! Coffee cakes and delicious scones are both treats usually paired with lattes and coffees alike!

What is the difference between muffins and coffee cake? ›

What is the difference between coffee cake and coffee cake muffins? Coffee cake is typically a cake that is baked in a round or square pan and is topped with a streusel topping. Coffee cake muffins are made with similar ingredients but are smaller in size and baked in a muffin tin.

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