Delicious German Coffee Cake Recipe: A Sweet Delight!
Welcome to my world of baking where we create nothing short of indulgent and flavorful delicacies. Today, I want to introduce you to one of my all-time favorite cake recipes, German Coffee Cake.
This cake has been in my family for generations, and it never fails to impress. The perfect blend of a moist crumb and a crunchy streusel topping, paired with a rich aroma of coffee, makes this cake irresistible.
The cake is relatively easy to make and requires minimal preparation time, making it a great go-to recipe for hosting guests or simply indulging at home.
As you join me on this baking adventure, I encourage you to follow the recipe steps carefully and bring to life this classic German delicacy in your kitchen.
So, let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When it comes to coffee cake, the German Coffee Cake or Streuselkuchen recipe is a classic that will never go out of fashion. The combination of its moist and tender texture, complimented by the crunchy streusel topping, and perfect balance of sweetness makes it an irresistible treat for all coffee lovers.
One of the reasons you’ll love this recipe is that it’s made with ingredients that are easy to find in your kitchen pantry. With just some flour, sugar, butter, milk, mashed potatoes, warm water, dry yeast, and salt, you can create a delicious and fragrant cake that will leave everyone wanting more.
Another great advantage of this recipe is its versatility. You can make it plain or add your favorite flavoring for personalization. You can also adjust the sweetness and taste to suit your preference.
Plus, this German Coffee Cake is perfect for serving anytime, whether it’s breakfast or dessert. It’s great for sharing with family and friends. Moreover, it pairs well with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea.
So if you’re looking to impress your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth craving, give this German Coffee Cake Recipe a try! It’s a time-tested recipe that has been enjoyed for decades – there’s no way you won’t love it!
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients required to make this delicious German coffee cake:
For the Cake
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 package of dry yeast (about 2 teaspoons)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1/3 cup milk
For the German Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Streusel Topping
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1 and 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon salt
Before starting to prepare the recipe, make sure you have all the ingredients in your kitchen.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Preparing the Yeast Mixture
First, I prepare the yeast mixture to activate the yeast. In a bowl, I mix 1/3 cup of warm water, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 pack of dry yeast. I set it aside for a few minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
Step 2: Making the Dough
In a separate bowl, I mix 2 cups of sifted flour with 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes and 1/4 tsp of salt. Then, I add the activated yeast mixture into the bowl and mix them well. Next, I stir in 1/2 cup each of butter and milk and one beaten egg.
After mixing all ingredients smoothly, I knead it for about ten minutes until it becomes a smooth and elastic dough. If the dough seems too sticky, I dust some extra flour on top.
Step 3: Proofing the Dough
I put the kneaded dough into a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then, I place it in a warm spot such as my oven with a temperature around 90 F to proof for an hour to one and 30 minutes until it gets double in size.
Step 4: Making Streusel Topping
The crumb cake streusel topping is super important in German Coffee Cake Recipe. To prepare this, I mixed together 2 cups flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch or two (according to personal preference) of ground cinnamon.
Into that mixture, start adding small cubes of room temperature unsalted butter one tablespoon at a time while mashing everything up to make coarse crumbs with your fingers.
Then set aside approximately about a cup or little more if needed, depending upon how much streusel you like on your cake!
Step 5: Shaping and Assembling the Cake
Once the dough is proofed, I punch down the dough gently with my palm to remove air bubbles. Further, I divide the dough into 2 equal portions.
With a rolling pin, I roll one of the dough portions out so that it fits the bottom of my baking sheet. I place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then spread a layer of butter on top of it.
Next, I sprinkle half of the streusel mixture evenly over the top of the dough, followed by another layer or butter. Then, I repeat the same process with another dough portion on top and finish by spreading streusel topping over it.
Step 6: Baking Time
I preheat your oven at 350F degrees and then bake it for around 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. In our case, bake for approximately 35 minutes and insert a toothpick in the center to check. If the pick comes out clean, then its ready!
Finally, let me cool it
Substitutions and Variations
If you want to make some variations to this German coffee cake recipe, there are a few tweaks you can make that will still yield a delicious result. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
– Gluten-Free Version: If you’re avoiding gluten, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour. You can use almond flour, oat flour or buckwheat flour as an alternative.
– Vegan Version: To make this cake vegan, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil and replace the milk with almond or soy milk.
– Streusel Variations: You can experiment with different kinds of streusel topping flavors. For instance, instead of using brown sugar-packed for the streusel topping, you can use white sugar or honey. Additionally, you may add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds to give it more crunch.
– Fruit Variations: You could also add in your favourite fruits like blueberries or chopped apples into the batter.
– Coffee Cream Filling: If you want to make your cake luxurious and moist, why not fill it with a coffee cream? Mix together whipped cream with coffee powder and spread it between layers of cake.
Whatever variation or substitution you decide on, this German coffee cake recipe is a great starting point to create your own unique version of this scrumptious classic dessert.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing, German coffee cake is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed with many different beverages. A hot cup of coffee is the obvious choice, but feel free to experiment with tea or hot chocolate as well.
If you’re looking for an indulgent breakfast or brunch option, try pairing your German coffee cake with a frothy cappuccino or latte. The buttery, crumbly texture of the cake will pair perfectly with the velvety smoothness of steamed milk.
For a more grown-up pairing, consider serving your German coffee cake with a glass of dessert wine like Port or Sherry. The sweetness of the wine will complement the rich flavors in the cake.
One popular way to serve German coffee cake is alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This adds an extra creamy texture and enhances the already decadent flavor of the cake.
When it comes to entertaining guests, you can’t go wrong with serving up some traditional German pfefferkuchen along with your coffee cake. This spice-filled cookie will provide a delicious contrast to the buttery goodness of your cake.
Finally, don’t forget that German coffee cake makes a great gift. Package up individual slices in pretty boxes or tins and share them with friends and family during holidays or special occasions. Whichever way you choose to enjoy your German coffee cake, make sure you savor every last crumb!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
German Coffee Cake is a delicious treat that can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick breakfast or snack. The best way to make ahead is to prepare the cake, cool it completely, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can be stored at room temperature for up to two days.
If longer storage is needed, German Coffee Cake can be frozen for up to two months. To freeze whole cakes, wrap them first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and allow the cake to defrost completely before reheating.
Reheating German Coffee Cake is easy and can be done either in the oven or microwave. For oven reheating, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the cake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
For microwave reheating, place a slice of cake on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 15-20 seconds or until heated through.
No matter how you store or reheat your German Coffee Cake, it will still taste just as delicious as when it was first made. Enjoy this classic German dessert anytime with minimal effort!
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect German coffee cake, follow these tips to ensure your cake is moist, flavorful, and has a delicious crumbly topping.
1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It is important to use room temperature butter and milk as they will emulsify better and incorporate into the batter more evenly. Cold ingredients can lead to lumps in the batter and an uneven texture.
2. Accurate Measurement: Use accurate measurements for each ingredient to avoid over or under baking the cake.
3. Sifted Flour: Always sift flour before measuring to avoid lumps in your batter. This will make your cake tender and light.
4. Mashed Potatoes: Adding mashed potatoes to the batter helps keep the cake moist while adding a subtle, sweet flavor.
5. Streusel Topping: A German coffee cake is known for its crumbly streusel topping. Make sure you use enough butter so that the streusel is moist and clumps together.
6. Sugar content: Make sure you balance the sugar content in both the cake and the streusel topping for perfect sweetness without being overpowering.
7. Baking time and temperature: It’s important to follow the baking instructions accurately in order to achieve a tender crumb with a perfectly browned topping.
8. Allow Proper Cooling Time: Once baked, allow your German coffee cake to cool on a wire rack before serving or adding toppings such as powdered sugar or whipped cream. Otherwise, it won’t set-up properly inside or out, ending up dry or too wet.
By following these tips, you’ll get perfect results every time you make this popular German dessert – the classic Streusel Coffee Cake (Streuselkuchen).
Bottom Line
In summary, the German Coffee Cake Recipe is a delectable dessert that anyone can make in the comfort of their own home. The irresistible aroma of baking German Streusel coffee cake will fill your home and transport you to the streets of Germany. The cake’s perfect balance of sweetness and texture is unbeatable, as it uses rich ingredients such as butter, milk, sugar, and mashed potatoes.
With the recipe’s clear instructions, various substitutions and variations, and helpful tips for perfect results, this is a great dessert for bakers of all levels. You can also make ahead, store, or reheat this cake without affecting its texture. Moreover, the German Coffee Cake goes well with coffee or tea or can be served as a light dessert after lunch or dinner.
In conclusion, I urge you to try this mouthwatering recipe at least once in your life. Once you’ve tried this homemade German classic coffee cake, you’ll never want to buy another from the bakeries again. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to amaze your taste buds!
German Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
First Step Mix
- 2 tablespoons yeast
- 2 cups potato water or 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup boiled mashed potatoes
- make sure your liquids are cooled to 120 - 130 f before adding to yeast
Second Step Add
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- 2 cups milk (boiled and cooled)
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 11 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Fourth Step
- 1/4 cup butter
Fifth Step
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- First Step.
- Mix this and let set for 10 minutes.
- Then add second step to this.
- Knead and let this raise.
- Third Step.
- Divide dough into your greased pans and let raise again.
- Fourth Step.
- Melt more butter, spread over tops of raised cakes and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture before butter runs down.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until done.
- Fifth Step.
- Make sauce for baked cakes.
- Boil until about as thick as cream. Spread hot sauce over hot baked cakes and sprinkle with more cinnamon/sugar on top.