There are various varieties of coffee cake in the world. According to some countries, the term includes a variety of cake varieties that go well with coffee, like streusel crumb cake. Other regions, on the other hand, think coffee cake should include coffee in some form, whether it be instant, brewed, or concentrated.
The History of Coffee Cake
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We must first
examine the history of coffee cake in order to comprehend how these disparate
definitions developed. The history of coffee cake is more complicated than we may
imagine. It is thought that the modern version of this cake originated from
honey cakes, which were popular in 17th-century northern and central Europe.
Since sweet
breads were popular in these regions at the time, it's probable that early
coffee cake varieties resembled bread in texture. Yeast, flour, eggs, sugar,
nuts, spices, and dried fruits were all included. At the time, it was also
thought that streusel crumb toppings were popular, but recipes quickly started
to evolve.
Germany is
thought to have been the very first country to serve coffee with cake.
Coffeehouses were
starting to appear in many German cities by the middle of the 20th century,
including Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, and Nuremberg. By the 19th century, coffee
shops in Europe were serving sweet breads, little cakes, and cookies alongside
their coffees, frequently to counteract the coffee's bitterness.
Coffee cake
became considerably more popular as more of these coffee shops opened in
Germany, the Nordic countries, and cities like Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.
Regional and Cultural Variations
Many countries
started creating their own distinctive variations of coffee cake as coffeehouse
culture expanded throughout Europe in the 1800s. Known as kaffeekuchen (or
"coffee cake" in English) or kleine kaffeekuchen (or "small
coffee cakes"), these cakes were frequently served with coffee in Germany.
German coffee
shops also sold the gugelhopf ring cake, which resembled a Bundt cake, and the
crumb-topped streuselkuchen, or "streusel cake." Similarly, it has
long been common in Nordic nations to enjoy coffee and cake together. It's
called fika in Sweden, kaffee in Denmark and Norway, khavi in Finland, and
kaffi in Iceland.
They are still
common today and all mean "coffee" or "to have cake with coffee,"
depending on the situation. In Scandinavia, coffee is typically paired
with cinnamon or cardamom buns. These yeast-based sweet breads are frequently
covered with sugar syrup.
In Denmark, you
can also find the brunsviger, a yeast-based brioche-style cake covered in brown
sugar caramel, and cinnamon and cardamom buns glazed with brown sugar. Coffee
and Danish pastries are also well-liked.
Nordic countries
still use the terms "Viennese bread" or "Viennese pastry"
in their native tongues to describe the well-known Danish pastry, which was
initially adapted from Viennese pastry recipes.
In the 17th
century, French pastry chefs were influenced by Viennese cakes and pastries to
create croissant and brioche doughs, which swiftly gained popularity throughout
Europe, particularly when served with coffee for breakfast.
Savarin ring
cake, a yeast cake in the brioche style that is soaked in sugar syrup and
frequently infused with liqueur or rum, is another dish that the French eat
with their coffee.
In contrast, the
Netherlands is well-known for its appeltaart, ontbijtkoek (spiced
breakfast cake, also called "pepper cake"), and boterkoek (butter
cake).
While
stroopwafels, a crunchy waffle filled with caramel that dates back to the early
19th century, were frequently placed over coffee mugs to soften before
consumption, zeeuwse bolus are comparable to cinnamon buns.
But as coffee
cake gained popularity in coffee shops across Europe, it also spread to North
America, where it took a different approach.
Coffee Cake in the US and the UK in the 20th Century and Beyond
A large number of German and Dutch people immigrated to the US in the middle of the 1800s. As tea houses gained popularity in the latter part of the century, European settlers naturally introduced cakes and pastries from their native countries.
When coffee cake
was first mentioned in US cookbooks, the recipes were usually found in either
the bread or cake sections, depending on the type of batter or dough used. German
coffee cake began to appear in US cookbooks by the First World War, and by the
1920s, it was listed under separate headings in recipe books.
Some cookbooks
devoted exclusively to this kind of cake were published as early as the late
1960s, demonstrating its widespread popularity in the US. In its classic
form, coffee cake is a cinnamon-spiced sponge cake with a crumble topping, and
the original recipe hasn't changed much over the years.
The majority of US bakeries and supermarkets sell these cakes. Starbucks even offers its own take on "traditional" coffee cake across the country. Coffee cake, also known as "coffee and walnut cake," has a unique twist in the UK.
Although the exact origin of the UK version is unknown, it is thought to have
first surfaced in cookbooks in the 1920s.
In the United Kingdom, coffee cake is usually a two-layered sponge cake infused with coffee, filled and topped with coffee buttercream, and garnished with walnuts. Across the country, it is now standard on afternoon tea menus and in supermarkets.
In Australia, similar varieties of this cake are also commonly available.
FAQs: The History of Coffee Cake: Origins, Variations, and Global Traditions
What’s with the name coffee cake if there’s no coffee in it?
It is definitely not implied by the word "coffee cake" that the cake contains coffee. By tradition, course, and ingredient, it is a sweet, cinnamon-scented cake to be eaten with coffee. In a lot of countries, it’s just a cake to eat with your cup of coffee.
Where did coffee cake originate?
Coffee cake is thought to have own in northern and central Europe in particularly in Germany, in the 17th century, when sweet breads and cakes began to be served with coffee drinks at newfangled local coffeehouses.
When was coffee cake popular in the US?
German and Dutch immigrants introduced their respective versions of coffee cake to the United States in the 1800s. By the early 20th century, coffee cake recipes had become a standard in American cookbooks and bakeries.
What distinguishes British coffee cake from American coffee cake?
American coffee cake is generally a sponge cake flavored with cinnamon and covered in crumbs — whereas British coffee cake (called “coffee and walnut cake”) contains actual coffee throughout, infused into the batter as well as the frosting to give it a deep taste of coffee.
Is coffee cake still popular?
Well, yes, people are still obsessed with coffee cake. From Starbucks’ iconic cinnamon coffee cake to traditional European takes including German streuselkuchen, this cake is loved by coffee drinkers everywhere.
Conclusion: The History of Coffee Cake
The history of coffee cake is a story that spans the world, from European tradition to local custom. This plain, sweet bread that started among 17th-century coffee drinkers in Germany would lead to countless regional variations as it spread across Europe, the UK, and America.
Coffee cake, whether caffeinated or topped with streusel, is comfort and culture and a testament to the universal appeal of coffee and cake together. Between espresso bars in Vienna and slick coffee shops everywhere, coffee cake still adds warmth, sweetness, and a taste of the past to the brew.
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