Cardamom-Orange Coffee Cake Recipe | Barbara Bakes (2024)

FAQs

Why does coffee cake go with coffee? ›

As the region's countries were already known for their sweet yeast breads, the introduction of coffee in Europe led to the understanding that cakes were a great complement to the beverage. Immigrants from countries such as Germany and Scandinavia adjusted their recipes to their own liking and brought them to America.

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.

Stir vanilla or almond extract into a coffee-scented batter or mix ground spices in with the dry ingredients. Or simmer equal amounts of brewed coffee and sugar together to make a coffee syrup. You can also infuse hot coffee with spices or dissolve instant in vanilla rather than water for an extra flavour hit.

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.

I was reading chef Paul Fehribach's new book, "Midwestern Food," when I first learned that Cincinnati is the coffeecake capital of the world.

Coffee cake is different in various parts of the world. In the UK, it's exactly what it says on the tin; it's a coffee-flavoured sponge cake, whereas in the US, coffee cake is cake with a crumble topping that's served with a cup of coffee on the side. I used a Nigella Lawson recipe, and, oh my, is it good!

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.

The king cake is a mixture of a French pastry and a coffee cake. Its oval shape and festive colors give it a unique appeal. The original version features the royal colors of gold, purple, and green. Gold represents power, purple represents justice, and green signifies faith.

Coffee cake can last up to a week in the fridge, though it's worth noting that the cold could cause it to dry out, even if it's still technically good to eat. Tightly sealing the cake can help it maintain its moisture in the refrigerator, but mileage may vary.

Why is my coffee cake hard? ›

If you use a cup rather than a scale there's a good chance you're using too much flour: up to 20% too much, if you use the measuring cup as a scoop then tamp the flour down. Any baked good — especially cake —with too much flour will be dry, hard, crumbly …

If your cake is hard, the problem probably lies in the beating. The butter must be beaten well in the early stages to give the mixture enough air for a light and fluffy texture. To achieve this the butter must be lukewarm and therefore not too hard.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon coffee in 1 1/4 cups water. Make cake batter as directed on box, using coffee mixture in place of the water. Bake and cool as directed.

Too much baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps to make cakes rise. However, too much baking soda can give a cake a bitter taste.

Using ground coffee granules as a substitute for your instant espresso can work depending on what type of dessert you make. If a recipe only calls for a tablespoon or two of espresso, it will be perfectly suitable to use ground coffee instead.

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

"Kaffee und kuchen" (coffee and cake) is an afternoon ritual where friends, family, or coworkers will meet for an hour or two to enjoy coffee, cake, and socializing. Shortly after coffee was introduced to Germany in 1675, coffee houses began to spring up in places like Hamburg, Bremen, and Hanover.

1. Chocolate cake. No list of the greatest cakes to have with a coffee would be complete without chocolate cake, which combines two of the greatest pleasures known to mankind (chocolate and cake). Sweet, rich and gooey, anyone who has ever enjoyed a mocha knows how delicious the combination of coffee and chocolate is.

Black coffee tends to pair well with chocolate desserts, fruit desserts and puddings. Any coffee with milk, cream or served cappuccino style will be especially enjoyable with light cakes.