Oh, this Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake! It’s just one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug. I remember making this for the first time on a dreary Sunday afternoon, and honestly, the smell alone completely changed the mood in the house. It’s so surprisingly simple, yet the flavor is just *chefs kiss*. If you’re looking for a cake that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests, you’ve found your winner. This Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake is truly special!
Why You’ll Love This Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this cake? It’s a total winner because:
- It tastes AMAZING: That rich coffee flavor is just perfect.
- It’s SO easy: You can whip this up without breaking a sweat.
- It’s super versatile: Dress it up or keep it simple, it’s always delicious.
- It’s the perfect pick-me-up!
Gather Your Ingredients for Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake
Okay, so to get this amazing Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake going, you’ll need to round up a few things. Don’t worry, they’re all pretty standard pantry items! First up, we’ve got 2 cups of all-purpose flour – just your regular baking flour will do the trick. Then, you’ll need 1 cup of granulated sugar to make it nice and sweet. Make sure you have 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, and it needs to be softened. This is super important for creaming it up properly! We’ll also need 2 large eggs, 1 cup of milk, and for that incredible coffee kick, you’ll need 1/4 cup of instant coffee granules that you’ll dissolve in 2 tablespoons of hot water. Oh, and don’t forget 1 teaspoon of baking powder for a little lift, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for that classic cakey scent, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake
A few little notes about these ingredients for our Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake! That instant coffee? It’s key for getting that deep coffee flavor without making the cake taste bitter or watery. Make sure it’s fully dissolved – no one wants gritty coffee bits in their cake! If you’re out of instant coffee, you could try using very strong brewed coffee, but make sure to reduce the milk a bit to compensate for the extra liquid. And for the butter, “softened” means it’s not melted, but you can easily leave an indent with your finger. It’s the perfect stage for creaming! For more on baking science, check out The Science of Cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake
Alright, let’s get this Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake baking! First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your favorite 9-inch cake pan and give it a good grease and flour. This is super important to make sure our beautiful cake doesn’t stick!
Now, in a nice big bowl, we’re going to cream together that softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk and just go at it until it’s nice and fluffy and looks pale yellow. This step is crucial for a tender cake, so don’t rush it! Next, crack in your two large eggs, but add them one at a time. Mix really well after each egg goes in. Once those are all incorporated, stir in the dissolved coffee mixture and that lovely vanilla extract. Just give it a good mix until it’s all combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This just makes sure all the dry stuff is evenly distributed. Now for the magic mix! We’re going to add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, alternating with the milk. So, add about a third of the dry stuff, mix it a bit, then add half the milk, mix again. Keep going like that, ending with the dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix here – just mix until everything is *just* combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, and we definitely don’t want that for our Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake!
Once your batter is ready, pour it into that prepared cake pan. Smooth out the top a little with your spatula. Pop it into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you can stick a wooden skewer or a toothpick into the center, and it comes out clean. No gooey batter clinging to it! Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes – this helps it set up a bit. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool down completely. Patience is key here so it doesn’t fall apart!
Tips for Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake Success
To make sure your Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake turns out absolutely perfect every time, remember a couple of things! Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted – it makes a huge difference when creaming. When you’re alternating the dry and wet ingredients, mix *just* until combined. A few little streaks of flour are okay; they’ll disappear in the oven. And for that perfect bake, don’t open the oven door too early! Wait until the last 10 minutes of baking to check for doneness to avoid deflating your beautiful cake. Learning about common ingredient substitutions can also help!
Serving and Storing Your Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake
This Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake is just lovely on its own, honestly. But if you want to jazz it up a bit, a simple dusting of powdered sugar is always elegant! Or, you could whip up a quick coffee-flavored buttercream or even a simple cream cheese frosting. It’s also fantastic with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay delicious at room temperature for about 3 days. If you need to reheat a slice, just a few seconds in the microwave is usually enough to bring back that wonderful soft texture!
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee
Got questions about our Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake? I totally get it! Baking can sometimes feel like a science experiment, but this cake is pretty forgiving. Here are some things people often ask:
Q: Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?
A: You sure can! Just brew it extra strong and use about 1/2 cup of that strong coffee. But, here’s the trick: you’ll need to reduce the milk in the recipe by about 2 tablespoons. This keeps the batter from getting too thin, which can mess with the cake’s texture. Make sure that coffee is nice and concentrated!
Q: My cake didn’t rise very much. What went wrong?
A: Oh no! This can happen for a few reasons. Make sure your baking powder is fresh – if it’s old, it loses its power. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the cake tough and dense instead of light and fluffy. Give it just enough mixing to combine! For tips on proper mixing techniques, you can consult resources on how to mix cake batter.
Q: Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to this cake?
A: Absolutely! This Coffee Flavored Petit Beurre Cake is super adaptable. Stirring in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (mini ones work great!) or some chopped walnuts or pecans with the dry ingredients is a fantastic idea. It adds a little extra texture and flavor that pairs beautifully with the coffee.
Q: How do I know if my butter is “softened” correctly?
A: Softened butter is key for creaming! You want it to be at room temperature, meaning it’s not cold from the fridge, but it’s also not melted or greasy. The best test is to gently press your finger into it. If it leaves a clear indentation without the butter squishing out, it’s perfect. It should feel slightly pliable.
Amazing 1-bowl Coffee Cake Joy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cake with a coffee flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the dissolved coffee and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a mocha flavor.
- Frost with your favorite coffee-flavored frosting or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
- Ensure your coffee granules are fully dissolved to avoid grittiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: coffee cake, petit beurre, easy cake, coffee flavor, dessert recipe