Fluffy Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe: Cozy Morning Magic

Whipping up a delightful hazelnut coffee cake brings pure morning magic to your kitchen.

Nutty aromas will dance through your home, promising a delectable treat.

Fragrant hazelnuts mingle with rich coffee notes, creating an irresistible blend.

Each slice promises a warm, comforting experience that feels like a gentle embrace.

Buttery crumbs promise to melt softly on your tongue, delivering pure indulgence.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Prepare to savor every delicious moment of this spectacular morning delight.

Why Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe Feels Like A Treat

• Craft with Ease: Designed for home bakers of all skill levels, this hazelnut coffee cake welcomes both beginners and experienced cooks to create something delightful without stress.
• Burst with Indulgent Flavors: Combining rich coffee, nutty hazelnuts, and sweet hazelnut spread, the recipe delivers a complex taste profile that transforms an ordinary cake into a gourmet experience.
• Perfect for Gathering Moments: Ideal for brunch celebrations, afternoon tea, or sophisticated dessert occasions, this cake impresses guests with its elegant layers and sophisticated flavor combinations.
• Customize Your Delight: Flexible recipe allows personal touches like adjusting coffee intensity, adding extra nuts, or experimenting with different liqueur variations to match individual preferences.

Ingredients For Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and ensures a tender crumb for the cake.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Butter: Creates a rich, moist texture and adds deep flavor to the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in achieving a tender cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's richness and structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Milk: Moistens the batter and helps create a smooth, consistent texture.

• Instant Coffee Powder: Introduces a deep, robust coffee flavor throughout the cake.
• Ground Hazelnuts, Chopped Hazelnuts: Provide a nutty, crunchy texture and rich, distinctive flavor.
• Hazelnut Spread: Adds a creamy, indulgent layer with intense hazelnut flavor.

• Brewed Coffee: Intensifies the coffee flavor and adds moisture to the cake.
• Hazelnut Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur: Contribute complex, boozy notes and enhance the overall flavor profile.

Step By Step For Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Warm your oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan, making sure every inch is coated to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. This ensures a smooth, lump-free base for your cake batter.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, like a soft cloud.

This aeration step is key for a tender cake texture.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, whisking well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate adding milk to keep the batter light and avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Add Flavor Boosters

Sprinkle in instant coffee powder and ground hazelnuts, stirring to distribute these flavor enhancers evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Create the First Cake Layer

Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, forming the base layer for your cake.

Step 8: Add the Nutty Middle Layer

Drizzle hazelnut spread over the batter, then sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts for a rich and indulgent filling.

Step 9: Complete the Cake Layer

Pour the remaining batter evenly over the hazelnut layer, fully covering it to seal in the delicious middle section.

Step 10: Bake the Cake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 11: Prepare the Coffee Glaze

Whisk together brewed coffee, hazelnut liqueur, and coffee liqueur to create a flavorful glaze that will soak into the cake.

Step 12: Soak the Cake

After the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, use a fork to poke small holes all over the surface.

Slowly drizzle the coffee-liqueur glaze, allowing it to seep deep into the cake for extra moisture and flavor.

Step 13: Finish with Nuts

Sprinkle the top with ground and chopped hazelnuts to add delightful texture and visual appeal.

Step 14: Let Flavors Meld

Allow the cake to rest for 30 minutes before serving, letting all the flavors marry beautifully for a truly indulgent treat.

Pro Tips For Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• Ensure Even Greasing: Use softened butter and thoroughly coat the entire cake pan to prevent sticking and achieve easy cake removal.
• Master Batter Mixing: Fold ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to maintain a light, tender cake texture that doesn't become dense or tough.
• Create Perfect Flavor Balance: Toast ground hazelnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty aroma and deepen the cake's overall flavor profile.
• Control Moisture Level: Pierce cake with fork carefully when adding coffee-liqueur mixture to ensure even absorption without creating soggy spots.
• Layer with Precision: Spread hazelnut spread and chopped nuts evenly across the first cake layer to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every bite.

Creative Takes On Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• Gluten-Free Hazelnut Coffee Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the rich coffee and hazelnut flavors.
• Vegan Coffee Hazelnut Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Hazelnut Espresso Cake: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the cake's decadent taste.
• Dairy-Free Mocha Hazelnut Cake: Swap milk with almond or oat milk, use dairy-free hazelnut spread, and maintain the coffee-infused profile for those with lactose intolerance.

What To Enjoy With Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• Pair with Rich Espresso: Complement the cake's deep coffee notes with a bold, freshly pulled espresso shot, enhancing the hazelnut and coffee undertones.
• Serve with Hazelnut Liqueur Cocktail: Mix hazelnut liqueur with vanilla vodka and a splash of cream for a decadent drink that mirrors the cake's nutty, smooth flavor profile.
• Match with Dark Chocolate Ganache: Drizzle a velvety dark chocolate ganache alongside the cake, creating a luxurious contrast that amplifies the dessert's rich, complex taste.
• Accompany with Caramel Macchiato: Craft a creamy caramel macchiato with layered espresso and steamed milk, providing a sweet and robust beverage that echoes the cake's coffee essence.

How To Store Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• Seal the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in a sealed container, keeping it fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the container prevents moisture loss and protects the cake's delicate texture.
• Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining its rich hazelnut and coffee flavors.
• Thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight, then warm at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and preserve the cake's moisture.

Common Questions About Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

• What makes the coffee and hazelnut flavors blend so well?

The combination of instant coffee powder, ground hazelnuts, and coffee liqueur creates a harmonious depth of flavor that complements each other, with the nutty richness balancing the coffee’s bold intensity.

• Can I substitute the hazelnut spread if I don't have it?

You can use alternatives like chocolate spread, almond butter, or even caramel sauce, though these will slightly alter the original flavor profile of the cake.

• Is this cake suitable for coffee lovers?

Absolutely! The recipe incorporates multiple coffee elements – instant coffee powder, brewed coffee, and coffee liqueur – making it an ideal dessert for those who enjoy rich, coffee-forward flavors.

Hazelnut Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent hazelnut coffee cake brings Italian countryside charm to your breakfast table. Rich layers of nutty flavor and aromatic coffee create a delightful morning experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

cake base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

hazelnut components:

• 1 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup hazelnut spread
• 2 tbsp ground hazelnuts
• 3 tbsp hazelnut liqueur

coffee elements:

• 2 tbsp instant coffee powder
• 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1 tsp coffee extract
• 2 tbsp coffee-flavored liqueur

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Sift together flour and baking powder in a medium bowl, creating a light, airy base for the cake’s structure.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
4. Whisk eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, creating a smooth and cohesive batter.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, stirring gently to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
6. Incorporate instant coffee powder and ground hazelnuts directly into the batter, distributing flavors evenly throughout.
7. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, creating an initial layer of cake base.
8. Drizzle hazelnut spread and sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over the first layer, creating a rich, nutty middle section.
9. Carefully pour the remaining batter on top, completely covering the hazelnut layer.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
11. While the cake cools, prepare a glaze by mixing brewed coffee, hazelnut liqueur, and coffee liqueur.
12. Once the cake has cooled for 10 minutes, pierce the top with a fork and slowly pour the coffee-liqueur mixture, allowing it to seep into the cake.
13. Garnish the top with additional ground hazelnuts and chopped hazelnuts for texture and visual appeal.
14. Let the cake rest for an additional 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Grind hazelnuts freshly for maximum flavor and aroma, ensuring they’re finely processed to blend seamlessly into the cake batter.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to create smoother, more evenly mixed batter that yields a tender, soft cake texture.
• Opt for high-quality instant coffee powder and freshly brewed coffee to enhance the deep, rich coffee undertones throughout the cake.
• Swap regular milk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a vegan-friendly version, maintaining the cake’s moisture and richness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg