Coffee Cake

Name: Coffee Cake
Prep time: PT4 horasM
Total time: PT4 horasM
Yield: 12 servings

Kitchen, Desserts

Cooking, Desserts

Preparation Time:

4 hours

Note:

Coffee cake is a sweet that was commonly eaten in Cuba. In the rest of the world, it is known as cinnamon roll or cinnamon bread. It is considered to be originally from Sweden and Denmark, and some books acknowledge its existence since the mid-19th century, although it was baked in select places because its ingredients were costly. The coffee cakes, as we know them in Cuba, are a roll of dough very similar to brioche. That is to say, they have a fluffy, moist crumb, but with a cinnamon flavor and a glaze of sugar or cream cheese. In some cases, raisins and nuts are also added. This preparation has a drawback; it is a dough that requires patience and care in its making. In different countries, it is used to accompany coffee, perhaps that is why Cubans know them as coffee cake.

Ingredients:

500 g of strong flour
100 g of brown sugar
2 medium eggs
21 g of baker's yeast
125 ml of milk at room temperature
100 ml of water
100 g of butter
1 tablespoon of vanilla
a pinch of salt

Ingredients for the filling

100 g of white sugar
100 g of brown sugar
2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
25 g of butter

Ingredients for the icing

100 g of butter
50 g of cream cheese
200 g of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

Heat the water and pour it into a glass with two tablespoons of white sugar and the yeast. In this case, we use baking powder. Mix well and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Preparing the dough / CiberCuba Kitchen

In a deep bowl, add the room temperature butter, preferably warm milk, the eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Mix them together, and when well combined, add the yeast that you had previously prepared with water and sugar.

Preparing the dough / CiberCuba Kitchen

Beat well until the ingredients are integrated. You can use a machine with dough hooks or do it by hand. Once everything is well integrated, start adding the flour. Add it in several parts to make it easier to incorporate.

Dough for resting / CiberCuba Cocina

You will obtain a firm dough. Sprinkle a little flour on a work surface in your kitchen and knead this preparation with your hands for about 5 minutes. After this time, form a ball and place it in a greased container. Cover it with a clean, damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rest for 2 hours.

Extend the dough / CiberCuba Kitchen

In a glass, mix the ingredients that you will use for the filling, namely, white sugar, prieta, and cinnamon. Set it aside.

Sprinkle flour on the table again and roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Use a brush to spread butter over the entire dough. Then add the mixture of white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon that you reserved. If you wish, you can add raisins or nuts. Distribute it evenly.

Dough with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and with raisins / CiberCuba Cocina

Gradually roll the dough as shown in the photo. If you wish, you can divide the dough into two parts and make two rolls, this way it yields more.

Cut roll / CiberCuba Kitchen

I made these following a model recipe and cutting the dough into portions approximately 5 cm wide.

Grease the baking tray with butter or place parchment paper at the bottom. Arrange the cut rolls so that there is space between them, allowing the dough to rise a little more before baking. Cover the tray with a cloth and let it rest for 1 more hour.

Ready-to-bake rolls / CiberCuba Kitchen

Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Bake the cinnamon rolls or coffee cakes for 30-45 minutes. This will depend on the particular characteristics of each oven and the thickness and size of your cinnamon rolls. To know they are ready, you will see that they are golden brown and a delicious smell fills your kitchen.

Glazing / CiberCuba Kitchen

Before enjoying this delight, prepare the frosting which is the final touch. Mix the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a bowl. Blend them well with an electric whisk. Add it to the hot, freshly made coffee cakes.

Freshly Baked Coffee Cakes / CiberCuba Kitchen

Let them cool and enjoy this delicious dessert with a Cuban coffee. Bon appétit!!

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