Hey, hey it’s time to celebrate National Coffee Cake Day!
On April 7th, coffee cake enthusiasts around the world will be indulging in this delicious treat. Whether you prefer a classic cinnamon streusel coffee cake or a more unique flavor, this day is the perfect excuse to enjoy a slice (or two) with your favorite cup of coffee!
Not only is National Coffee Cake Day a time to enjoy a tasty dessert, but it’s also an opportunity to share the love with friends and family. Baking a homemade coffee cake and sharing it with loved ones is a great way to show your appreciation and spread joy.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of National Coffee Cake Day, share some fun facts about coffee cake, and provide you with delicious recipes to try out.
Why not grab a cup of coffee and get ready to celebrate this sweet holiday?
History of Coffee Cake
Coffee made its way to Europe in the 1600s and was often enjoyed with sweet breads like the German kaffeeklatsch and Austrian kaffekuchen.
At first, early coffee cakes were probably yeasted cakes that were sweetened with honey and flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These cakes were typically served with coffee to balance out the bitterness of the drink.
The exact origin of coffee cake is unknown, but it’s believed to have come from these sweet treats and possibly others that were Viennese in origin.
As time went on, coffee cakes started to include a variety of different flavors and ingredients. Some parts of Europe made coffee cakes with fruit and nuts, while others used chocolate or marzipan.
Either way, it was probably the combination of sweet bread and coffee that gave us the modern version of coffee cake that we know and love today. Interestingly enough, the term ‘coffee cake’ didn’t become popular until the late 1800s.
As German and Scandinavian immigrants came to America, they brought their own versions of coffee cake along. Early on, coffee cakes were made using ingredients like yeast, flour, sweet spices, and dried fruits, but the specific recipes varied.
As time went on, American bakers started adding new ingredients like sugared fruit, cheese, sour cream, and yogurt, which gave the cake a denser, more cake-like texture. Yeast-based recipes were eventually replaced with simpler quick-bread recipes that were easier to make at home.
These new recipes often included sour cream or buttermilk, which made the cake moist and tender. To make the cake sweet and spicy, bakers added cinnamon and brown sugar to the batter.
In the 20th century, coffee was even used as an ingredient in coffee cake to repurpose leftovers and add flavor, which reduced food waste.
After World War I, pasteurization became common in America, and a new type of coffee cake emerged called the sour cream coffee cake. Interestingly, historical references to coffee cake date back as early as 1850, while the gugelhupf, a type of coffee cake, has been around since at least 1763.
| Topic | Early Coffee Cake | Modern Coffee Cake |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Believed to be Viennese in origin | Evolved from sweet breads with coffee |
| Ingredients | Yeasted cakes sweetened with honey | Includes fruit, nuts, chocolate, marzipan |
| Evolution | Added variety of flavors and ingredients | Simpler quick-bread recipes emerged |
| American Influence | German and Scandinavian immigrants | Sour cream, buttermilk, cinnamon, sugar |
| Coffee as Ingredient | Not common | Used in some recipes to add flavor |
| Types of Coffee Cake | Gugelhupf (since 1763) | Sour cream coffee cake (after WWI) |
Types of Coffee Cakes
Traditional Coffee Cake
The traditional coffee cake is a classic and has been around for over 100 years. It is a buttery cake with a cinnamon-sugar topping and is perfect for pairing with a cup of coffee. The cake is usually made with sour cream or buttermilk, which gives it a tangy flavor and moist texture.
Fruit-filled Coffee Cake
Fruit-filled coffee cakes are a delicious variation on the classic coffee cake. They are usually made with fresh or canned fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries, or apples. The fruit is usually layered in the middle of the cake, and the cake is topped with a streusel or crumb topping.
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Sour cream coffee cake is a moist and tender cake that gets its tangy flavor from the sour cream. It is usually topped with a cinnamon-sugar streusel and can be made with or without fruit. This cake is perfect for breakfast or brunch and is a crowd-pleaser.
Streusel Coffee Cake
Streusel coffee cake is a classic coffee cake that is topped with a crumbly streusel topping. The streusel is usually made with flour, sugar, and butter and can be flavored with cinnamon or other spices. This cake is perfect for any time of day and is great for sharing with friends and family.
| Type of Coffee Cake | Description | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Buttery cake with cinnamon-sugar topping | Cinnamon-sugar |
| Fruit-filled | Made with fresh or canned fruit, topped with streusel | Streusel or crumb topping |
| Sour Cream | Moist and tender cake made with sour cream, topped with streusel | Cinnamon-sugar, can be made with fruit |
| Streusel | Classic coffee cake with crumbly streusel topping | Streusel made with flour, sugar, and butter |
Celebrate National Coffee Cake Day – Bake Your Own!
If you love baking, then National Coffee Cake Day is the perfect opportunity to try out a new recipe or bake your favorite coffee cake.
There are so many delicious recipes to choose from, ranging from classic cinnamon streusel to fruit-filled coffee cakes. You can even experiment with different toppings and flavors to make your coffee cake unique and special.
For those who are new to baking, there are many easy-to-follow recipes available online that will guide you through the process of making a delicious coffee cake.