Irish Coffee Cake

🌟 Why this recipe works

You will love this Irish Coffee Cake 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 this butter 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 before baking.

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

• 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 it easier to lift out of the pan after the coffee cake is 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, half tablespoon instant coffee granules, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or a large bowl using a hand mixer, cream the butter at medium speed 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 coffee cake comes out clean. Allow to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then lift the coffee cake out of the pan and continue to cool on a wire rack. Slice and serve the cooled cake.

🍳 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.