Carrot Cake Coffee Cake is a delightful fusion of two beloved treats—carrot cake and coffee cake. This recipe combines the moistness of carrot cake with the crumbly topping of a classic coffee cake, creating a deliciously spiced dessert or snack. With layers of cinnamon-spiced carrot cake batter and a buttery streusel topping, this treat is perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea, whether for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet indulgence any time of day.
Recipe: Carrot Cake Coffee Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Streusel Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel topping.
- Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In another bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Spread half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle half of the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Spoon the remaining cake batter over the streusel layer, spreading it carefully to cover.
- Sprinkle the remaining streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top using a spoon or piping bag.
- Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving the Carrot Cake Coffee Cake.
Tips:
- Be sure to grate the carrots finely for a smoother texture in the cake batter.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the cake batter or the streusel topping.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Warm slightly before serving, if desired.
Variations:
- Add raisins or shredded coconut to the cake batter for added texture and flavor.
- Substitute pecans or almonds for the walnuts in the cake batter or streusel topping.
- For a nut-free version, omit the nuts altogether or replace them with rolled oats or granola in the streusel topping.
Carrot Cake Coffee Cake is a delicious twist on traditional carrot cake, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Enjoy the blend of spices, moist cake layers, crunchy streusel topping, and creamy glaze in every bite!