Skip to main content

Coffee Coffee Coffee Cake

3.7

(15)

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Food Bread Confectionery Sweets Plant and Dessert
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Anna Stockwell

This decadent cake is infused with rich coffee flavor in three forms: brewed coffee, espresso powder, and coffee liqueur.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 hours

  • Yield

    Serves 12–14

Ingredients

For the crumb topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chilled unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the chocolate swirl:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces pecans (about 3/4 cup), lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

For the cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
1 tablespoon sour cream

Special Equipment:

A 10-inch tube pan

Preparation

  1. Make the crumb topping:

    Step 1

    Using your fingers, combine flour, butter, brown sugar, powdered sugar, espresso powder, and salt in a medium bowl until mixture sticks together when pressed. Chill until ready to use.

  2. Make the chocolate swirl:

    Step 2

    Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (water should not touch bowl) or in the top of a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in pecans, coffee, and granulated sugar.

  3. Make the cake:

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour tube pan, tapping out excess flour. Whisk 2 1/2 cups flour, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and cardamom in a medium bowl. Whisk coffee, sour cream, and vanilla in another medium bowl.

    Step 4

    Beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and egg yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with coffee mixture in 2 additions, scraping down sides of bowl after each addition.

    Step 5

    Scrape one-third of the batter into prepared pan; smooth the surface. Drizzle half of the chocolate swirl mixture over. Add another one-third of the batter; smooth the surface. Drizzle the remaining chocolate swirl mixture over, then scrape in the remaining batter; smooth the surface. Sprinkle crumb topping over. Bake cake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean and cake springs back when pressed, 40–50 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

    Step 6

    Run a butter knife around the perimeter of pan to loosen cake. Gently invert cake onto a large plate, then return cake (crumb side up) to rack.

  4. Glaze the cake:

    Step 7

    When cake is cool, prepare the glaze. Whisk powdered sugar, coffee liqueur, and sour cream in a medium bowl. Using a spoon, drizzle glaze over cooled cake, holding the spoon a few inches above the cake.

    Do Ahead: Cake can be made up to two days before serving. Store wrapped in plastic until ready to serve.

    Editor’s note: This way for more of our favorite coffee-flavored desserts

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Serve a thick slice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Need an elegant dinner party dessert? A quick tea cake? A vacation birthday bake? This chocolaty wonder fits every bill.
A plant-based take on a retro Southern dessert.
Make these cookies for an after-school snack, midday treat, or gift for friends and neighbors.
These brownies feature a delightful combo of warm spices, black tea, and strong coffee.
This easy yellow cake recipe yields a cake that’s remarkably fluffy and moist.
You can enjoy these madeleines with just powdered sugar—or decorate them with a colorful white chocolate shell.
If there’s a more chic dessert move, we do not know it.