Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

This cream coffee cake is a soft, moist, and comforting baked treat layered with subtle coffee flavor, a light creamy filling, and a buttery cinnamon streusel topping.

The tender crumb pairs beautifully with the rich whipped cream center, creating a perfect balance of texture and sweetness.

Ideal for brunch, tea time, or dessert, this cozy cake offers café-style indulgence and warm homemade flavor in every slice.

Behind the Recipe

Coffee cakes became popular in European-influenced baking traditions, where lightly sweet cakes were served alongside hot beverages. Modern crumb-topped coffee cakes are especially popular in German-American baking traditions. This version adds a creamy center and aromatic coffee notes for extra indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

• Moist, fluffy cake with warm coffee aroma
• Creamy filling adds rich texture contrast
• Crunchy cinnamon streusel topping
• Perfect for gatherings or special breakfasts
• Balanced sweetness that pairs well with tea or coffee

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

• Use room-temperature eggs and butter for smoother batter.
• Dissolve coffee powder fully to avoid grainy texture.
• Chill streusel briefly before baking for a crisp topping.
• Do not overmix batter to keep cake soft and airy.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Mixing bowls
2. Electric mixer or whisk
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Baking pan
5. Oven

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted) (For Cake Batter)
2. 1 cup granulated sugar
3. ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
4. 2 large eggs (room temperature)
5. 1 cup milk
6. 1½ tablespoons instant coffee dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8. 1 cup heavy cream
9. ½ cup powdered sugar
10. 1 cup all-purpose flour ( For Streusel Topping)
11. ½ cup brown sugar
12. ⅓ cup cold butter (cold, cubed)
13. ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ingredient Substitutions

• Heavy cream: Whipped topping or thick yogurt can be used.
• Instant coffee: Espresso powder or strong brewed coffee works well.
• Brown sugar: Coconut sugar offers a deeper caramel note.
• Butter: Margarine or baking spread can substitute.

Ingredient Spotlight

• Coffee Powder: Adds subtle bitterness that balances sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a light, luscious filling layer.
• Cinnamon Streusel: Provides crunchy texture and warm spice aroma.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall dessert flavor.

How To Make This Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a baking pan.
2. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in dissolved coffee and vanilla extract.
5. Alternately add flour and milk, mixing gently to form smooth batter.
6. Pour half the batter into prepared pan.
7. Bake cake first, then slice and add whipped cream layer before serving.
8. Add remaining batter evenly on top.
9. Mix streusel ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over cake.
10. Bake 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cake portion comes out clean.
11. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Cream Coffee Cake

Cream Coffee Cake is a layered dessert featuring a buttery cake base topped with a rich coffee-flavored cream filling and a crumbly streusel topping. It is assembled by mixing and baking the cake batter, spreading the filling, and sprinkling the streusel before baking, resulting in a moist texture with a crumbly topping and a swirl of coffee flavor throughout.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted (For Cake Batter)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 1½ tablespoons instant coffee dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour For Streusel Topping
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup cold butter cold, cubed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking pan
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a baking pan.
2. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in dissolved coffee and vanilla extract.
5. Alternately add flour and milk, mixing gently to form smooth batter.
6. Pour half the batter into prepared pan.
7. Bake cake first, then slice and add whipped cream layer before serving.
8. Add remaining batter evenly on top.
9. Mix streusel ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over cake.
10. Bake 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cake portion comes out clean.
11. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Try Some Other Amazing Recipes

• Pumpkin Seed Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe
• Fruitcake Recipe

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Because of the creamy filling, store refrigerated within 4 hours of baking and use within 4 days.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days due to cream filling.
• For best texture, freeze only the plain cake base without creamy filling.

How to Serve This Dish

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with fresh coffee, cappuccino, or tea.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar for elegant presentation.

Additional Tips

• Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in center.
• Let cake cool before slicing to maintain layers.
• Adjust coffee strength to taste preference.

Creative Leftover Transformations

• Cube and layer into coffee cake parfaits with whipped cream.
• Toast slices lightly for a crisp breakfast treat.
• Blend crumbs into dessert milkshakes.

Make It a Showstopper

• Drizzle with light coffee glaze or chocolate sauce.
• Garnish with roasted nuts or cocoa dusting.
• Serve on a decorative cake stand for café appeal.

Variations to Try

• Mocha Version: Add cocoa powder to batter.
• Nutty Crunch: Mix chopped walnuts into streusel.
• Fruit Layer: Add thin apple or pear slices.

FAQs

1. Can I skip the cream filling? Yes, the cake will still be delicious as a simple coffee crumb cake.
2. How do I prevent streusel from sinking? Ensure batter is thick and sprinkle topping evenly.
3. Can I bake this in a loaf pan? Yes, adjust baking time slightly longer.
4. Is brewed coffee usable instead of powder? Yes, reduce milk slightly to balance liquid.
5. Can I make this cake less sweet? Reduce sugar slightly or increase coffee intensity.
6. Can I use whipped cream from a can for the filling? Yes, but freshly whipped cream holds structure better and gives richer flavor.
7. How can I make the streusel topping extra crunchy? Chill the streusel mixture for 10–15 minutes before sprinkling it over the batter.
8. Can I add nuts to this coffee cake? Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans can be mixed into the streusel or batter for texture.
9. What should I do if the cake browns too quickly on top? Loosely cover the cake with foil during the last part of baking to prevent over-browning.
10. Can I flavor the cream filling differently? Yes, you can add a little cocoa powder, citrus zest, or flavored extract for variation.

Anjali Arora

Hi, I’m Anjali Arora — the curious heart behind Feast Chase.

To be honest, I’ve always felt most at ease in my own company. I’m not exactly a people-person (small talk still makes me cringe), but there are two things I’ve always loved deeply: animals and food.