Irish Coffee Cake is a sweet, fluffy treat made with Irish whiskey and topped with a layer of crunchy streusel topping. It's a delicious snack on its own, or with a cup of coffee or tea.
Coffee cakes are always a favorite around here. They're easy to make compared to classic layer cakes, and they're a sweet treat that makes any moment extra special - especially if you're a coffee lover!
Like our popular Banana Crumb Coffee Cake (it's the #1 Reader Fave Recipe!!), this dessert recipe consists of a flavorful cake layer and moist crumbs on top of the cake. The cake itself has a little Irish whiskey baked in, giving it an almost Irish cream flavor.
And if you need a good reason to bake cakes (other than an every day sweet tooth!), this is a delicious cake to enjoy for St. Patrick's Day!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Here's why you will love this recipe!
- The cake layer is moist, fluffy, and infused with Irish whiskey flavor and the flavor of coffee.
- The streusel crumb topping is crunchy, sugary, and so delicious.
- If you're a coffee drinker, it's the perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee!
🛒 Ingredient notes
Flour - use all-purpose flour for the streusel topping.
Butter - for the topping, you'll need cubed cold unsalted butter.
You'll also need light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and instant coffee or espresso powder.
For the cake itself, you'll also be using all-purpose flour.
Butter - for the cake, you'll need one stick of unsalted butter that is softened to room temperature. Be sure to take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start baking to ensure it is softened.
Or, you can microwave the butter for 5 seconds, flip 90 degrees, then microwave for another 5-7 seconds. Be careful with this method: you do NOT want melted butter! The butter should be soft enough to leave an imprint when you gently press your thumb into it.
Eggs - When you take out the butter, also take out the eggs and let them come up to room temperature.
Whiskey - Use any Irish whiskey that your heart desires. If you prefer to go without, you can simply leave out the whiskey and add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Then you'll also need granulated sugar, brown sugar, instant coffee, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Make the Streusel Crumb Topping
- In a large bowl, combine the butter, flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and instant coffee/espresso powder. Set aside.
Make the Cake
- In another large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Then grab a measuring cup and whisk together the almond milk, whiskey, instant coffee granules, and vanilla.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter at medium speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and mix for 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Then add the eggs one at a time and beat just until incorporated.
- Mix in half the flour mixture to the wet mixture, then add half of the almond milk mixture.
- Repeat with the rest of the dry flour mixture and almond milk.
- Pour the batter into a parchment-lined pan, then cover with the streusel crumb topping.
- Bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center of the cake comes out clean.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
The answer is: not always. It's called coffee cake because it is a cake that is made to enjoy with a cup of coffee. However, this recipe does have coffee in it.
You can simply leave the whiskey out, or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Yes! Allow it to cool down, then you can either wrap the whole cake or individual slices in plastic wrap. Place in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to two months.
🍽 Serving ideas
This treat is delicious on its own, or enjoyed with a cup of your morning coffee or afternoon tea. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream or serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
If you're serving this for St. Patrick's Day, make it a full Irish inspired meal with Instant Pot Irish Lamb Stew, Guinness Brown Bread, Instant Pot Cabbage, and Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
- Baking pan - You'll need a 9" x 9" square baking pan.
- Mixer - To make this cake, you'll need either a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.
- Mixing bowls & cups - You'll also need a mixing bowl for the dry ingredients, and a liquid measuring cup for the wet ingredients.
More baking recipes
If you like this recipe, you will definitely love our popular Banana Crumb Coffee Cake recipe, too!
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Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Irish Coffee Cake
Equipment
- 1 9 x 9 inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
For the Crumb Topping
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup almondmilk or other milk or milk alternative
- ½ cup Irish whiskey
- ½ Tablespoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 9" x 9" square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to slightly fold over at least two of the sides. This will make the cake easier to lift out after it's baked. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Make the Streusel Crumb Topping
- In a large bowl, use your hands or two forks to blend together all of the crumb topping ingredients: the butter, flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and instant coffee/espresso powder. Set aside.
Make the Cake
- In another large bowl, whisk together the first 5 cake ingredients: the 2 cups of flour, the baking powder, baking soda, teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large liquid measuring cup or mixing bowl with pouring spout, whisk together the almondmilk, whiskey, instant coffee/espresso powder, and vanilla. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large bowl using a hand mixer, cream the butter for 1-2 minutes on its own, until it is light and fluffy. Add the sugars and cream together for 2 to 3 more minutes, scraping the sides down with a silicone spatula as needed.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat just until incorporated.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the wet mixture just until incorporated, then add half of the almondmilk mixture. Repeat with the remaining half of the dry flour mixture, and end with the remaining half of the almondmilk mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then top with the streusel crumb topping.
- Bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then lift it out of the pan and continue to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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