If you are a lover of all things coffee and cake, then this Coffee Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe is destined to become your new favorite treat. Imagine a rich, tender coffee-infused cake that melts in your mouth, topped with a luxuriously smooth coffee buttercream frosting that perfectly balances sweetness and depth. This recipe brings together the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and the satisfying texture of a classic coffee cake, making it an ideal companion for your morning brew or an indulgent afternoon snack. Get ready for a delicious coffee experience baked right into a cake that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A single slice of dark brown cake with a moist texture sits on a white plate with a wide soft coral edge. The cake slice has one visible layer topped by light beige frosting piped in small peaks across the top. On one half of the frosting, there are thin, curly dark chocolate shavings scattered. In the background, a matching whole cake is slightly out of focus, also frosted with the same beige topping standing on a white plate. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a colorful, blurred cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering these ingredients is like assembling a small team of flavor superheroes. Each element plays a crucial role in creating a coffee cake that’s moist, fluffy, and perfectly flavored, while the coffee buttercream delivers that extra punch of coffee goodness you crave.

1 cup flour: The base that gives the cake its structure and light crumb.
1 tsp baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully for a fluffy texture.
½ cup packed brown sugar: Adds warmth and a subtle molasses note to the cake.
⅓ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances the flavors.
¾ cup butter (almost melted): Keeps the cake moist and adds richness.
2 eggs at room temperature: Bind the ingredients and create tenderness.
¼ cup milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the coffee.
2 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water: Infuses the cake with that unmistakable coffee flavor.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
½ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
6 tbsp butter (for frosting): The creamy foundation of the coffee buttercream.
1 cup icing sugar: Sweetens and provides that classic buttercream texture.
1 tbsp hot water + 2 tsp instant coffee granules (for frosting): Delivers a concentrated coffee kick.
½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting): Adds a lovely aroma and depth.
¼ tsp salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness for a perfectly smooth buttercream.

How to Make Coffee Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then generously butter and flour either an 8-inch pan for a slim cake or a 6-inch pan if you prefer a taller, more substantial cake. This simple prep ensures your cake releases easily after baking and keeps its shape beautifully.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside. This dry mix will evenly distribute the rising agent and seasoning to create a uniform texture and flavor throughout your coffee cake.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Beat the almost melted butter until creamy and smooth, around 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add both the brown and granulated sugars, continuing to beat for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture looks fluffy and fully combined. This step is key to a tender crumb and subtle caramel undertones.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating each for a full minute before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract. This will incorporate air and create a luscious base for your coffee cake.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Sift half of your flour mixture into the batter and gently fold it in. Then add the dissolved coffee and milk, mixing carefully to maintain the batter’s lightness. Finally, sift in the remaining flour and beat until just combined, scraping down the sides to avoid any dry pockets.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and bake. For an 8-inch pan, check the cake starting at 30 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center—it’s done when it comes out clean. For the 6-inch pan, expect around 12 to 15 more minutes baking time due to the cake’s thickness.

Step 7: Cool and Make the Coffee Buttercream

Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a plate to cool completely at room temperature. While it cools, whip up the coffee buttercream: beat the butter until fluffy, then gradually add the icing sugar on low speed. Mix in the coffee-water mixture, vanilla, and salt, and beat well until smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Frost and Enjoy

When the cake has completely cooled, spread the velvety coffee buttercream over the top. The frosting pairs perfectly with the tender coffee cake, creating a balanced, irresistible dessert that can be kept at room temperature in cooler climates or refrigerated tightly covered in warmer environments.

How to Serve Coffee Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe

A round cake with one thick dark brown layer made of moist sponge sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The top layer of the cake is covered with a light brown creamy frosting, piped in ruffled shapes around the edge. The center is decorated with small dark chocolate shavings scattered over the frosting. A slice is being lifted out with a metal cake server, showing the soft texture inside and a layer of frosting on top. The background is softly blurred with two white mugs that have black patterns on them, and a colorful striped cloth with red, green, pink, and navy stripes lies under the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Enhance the look and flavor by sprinkling a few finely chopped toasted nuts, like walnuts or pecans, on top of the buttercream. A light dusting of cocoa powder or a few coffee beans can also add a classy touch while highlighting the coffee theme.

Side Dishes

This cake shines on its own but pairs beautifully with fresh fruit such as berries or sliced oranges for a bright contrast. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can elevate the experience from everyday to decadent dessert territory.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the cake in elegant slices alongside a steaming cup of your favorite coffee or latte. For a casual brunch, cut the cake into squares and arrange on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of nuts, chocolate shavings, and fresh cream for an interactive treat everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover coffee cake with coffee buttercream tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days. The frosting maintains its perfect texture and the cake stays moist, making it an easy go-to for next-day snacking.

Freezing

If you want to keep the cake longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, freezing for up to one month. For best results, frost the cake after thawing rather than freezing it with the buttercream applied.

Reheating

To enjoy the cake warm, reheat individual slices briefly in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This will refresh the softness of the cake without melting the coffee buttercream too much. Remember, the frosting tastes divine even cold, so it’s up to your preference!

FAQs

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?

You can substitute brewed coffee, but be careful with the liquid balance since brewed coffee adds more moisture. Instant coffee is preferred for its concentrated flavor without affecting the batter’s texture.

How do I ensure the cake stays moist?

Use room temperature eggs and don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added. Also, baking just until a toothpick comes out clean helps retain moisture without drying out the cake.

Is this recipe suitable for a layer cake?

Yes! Using two 6-inch pans will give you layers to fill with the coffee buttercream or even add a swirl of chocolate ganache for a fun twist.

Can I make the coffee buttercream vegan?

For a vegan version, use plant-based margarine and powdered sugar, and dissolve instant coffee in warm water as usual. The texture may vary slightly but still tastes fantastic.

What is the best way to dissolve the instant coffee?

Simply mix the instant coffee granules into a small amount of hot water and stir until completely dissolved before adding it to the batter or buttercream. This ensures a smooth, even coffee flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Coffee Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe is a delightful way to celebrate everything you love about coffee and cake in one irresistible bite. Its cozy flavors and rich frosting combine for a comforting treat that feels like it was made just for you. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and make it a staple in your kitchen. Trust me, once you do, it will be hard not to come back for seconds!