Coffee Cake

Name: Coffee Cake
Prep time: PT4horasM
Total time: PT4horasM
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Cuban

Cooking, Desserts

Preparation Time:

4 hours

Note:

Coffee cake is a sweet treat that was quite popular in Cuba. In the rest of the world, it is known as cinnamon roll or cinnamon bread. It is believed to have originated in Sweden and Denmark, with some books documenting its existence since the mid-19th century, although it was primarily baked in select establishments due to the high cost of its ingredients. The coffee cakes, as we know them in Cuba, resemble a rolled dough very similar to brioche. This means they have a soft, moist crumb flavored with cinnamon, topped with a glaze of sugar or cream cheese. In some cases, raisins and nuts are also included. There is a downside to this preparation; it requires patience and careful handling during its making. In various countries, it is often enjoyed alongside coffee, which is likely why Cubans refer to it as coffee cake.

Ingredients:

500 g of strong flour
100 g of brown sugar
2 medium eggs
21 g of baking 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 frosting

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 are using powdered yeast. Mix well and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Preparing the dough / CiberCuba Kitchen

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

Preparing the dough / CiberCuba Kitchen

Mix well until the ingredients are combined. 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 portions to make it easier to incorporate.

Dough for resting / CiberCuba Cooking

You will obtain a firm dough. Sprinkle a little flour on a work surface in your kitchen and knead the mixture 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.

Roll out the dough / CiberCuba Cooking

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

Sprinkle some flour on the table again and roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Using a brush, spread butter all over the dough. Then add the mixture of white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon that you set aside. If you like, 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 prefer, you can divide the dough into two parts to make two rolls; this way, it will yield more.

Cut roll / CiberCuba Kitchen

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

Grease the baking tray with butter or line the bottom with parchment paper. 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 another hour.

Rolls ready for baking / CiberCuba Kitchen

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the cinnamon rolls or coffee cakes for 30 to 45 minutes. This will depend on the specific characteristics of your oven as well as the thickness and size of the cinnamon rolls. To know they are ready, look for a golden color and a delightful aroma filling your kitchen.

Glazing / CiberCuba Kitchen

Before enjoying this delight, prepare the glaze, which is the finishing touch. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Blend them well with electric beaters until smooth. Drizzle it over the warm, freshly baked coffee cakes.

Freshly Baked Coffee Cakes / CiberCuba Kitchen

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

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