The Magic Cake with Coffee or Magic Coffee Cake is a bit like a kitchen wonder. You start with just one simple batter, but as it bakes, something special happens, it turns into three unique layers. It’s a mix of basic ingredients that come together in a way that surprises even experienced bakers. When you take a bite, you’ll understand why it’s called magic, it’s just that good!
Magic Cake with Coffee Recipe
This dessert is something truly special. When I first tried it, I couldn't believe how it turned out, and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since.
It's amazing that you can make such a delicious and beautiful cake with just a few basic ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, sugar, butter, and coffee.
The real magic happens in how these simple ingredients come together with the right technique to create something unique. The cake with coffee bakes into distinct layers, each with its own texture and flavor.
In the middle, you’ll find a soft, creamy custard. And on top, there's a light and fluffy sponge. All of this comes from one simple batter. That’s what makes the Magic Cake with Coffee so incredible.
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Magic Cake with Coffee
- Simple Ingredients, Elegant Result: With just basic pantry staples, this cake delivers a classy dessert without any fuss or hard-to-find items.
- Easy to Make: Despite its fancy look, this Magic Cake with Coffee is straightforward to prepare. It’s perfect for beginner bakers, using common kitchen tools and a simple process.
- Three Unique Layers: Each slice reveals three distinct layers—a light top, a creamy middle, and a rich bottom. The different textures make each bite a delight.
- Customizable Flavor: While the coffee flavor is delicious, you can easily tweak it. Add vanilla, almond extract, or a bit of cocoa powder for a personal touch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep this cake in advance and keep it in the fridge. It’s ideal for parties or gatherings where you need to get things done ahead of time.
- Any Occasion: This cake fits any setting, from a casual coffee break to a special event. It’s a sweet treat that stands out on its own or pairs perfectly with coffee.
🧾Magic Cake with Coffee Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Magic Cake with Coffee recipe:
- Eggs: I use fresh eggs at room temperature. They’re key for the cake’s structure, with egg whites adding a light, airy texture and yolks bringing richness and moisture. Eggs also help bind everything together and create those amazing layers.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the coffee’s bitterness and the butter’s richness. It caramelizes during baking, giving the top layer a lovely golden color and a slight crisp.
- Flour 00: I use flour 00 for a tender, light crumb. It’s finely milled and helps thicken the batter. You can swap it with all-purpose flour if needed.
- Butter: Melted unsalted butter adds a rich flavor and smooth texture, making the cake light and airy.
- Milk: Room-temperature whole milk adds moisture, helping the cake stay soft and tender.
- Coffee: Lukewarm coffee gives the cake a rich, aromatic flavor and a slight brown color that enhances its look.
- Icing Sugar: A dusting of icing sugar on top adds a sweet finishing touch and a nice contrast to the coffee's bitterness.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Magic Cake with Coffee
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Separate the egg yolks and the whites in 2 separate bowls with an egg separator. Use a hand mixer to beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
2. Mix the flour into the egg yolk mixture until well combined. Pour in the melted butter and stir until fully mixed.
3. Add the milk and mix until smooth. Pour the lukewarm coffee and whisk until smooth.
5. Pour the batter into the lined 20x20 cm square baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for a regular oven or 150°C (302°F) for a fan oven for 50 minutes.
6. Let the cake cool in the dish, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. Before serving, sprinkle icing sugar on top.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before starting. This helps them blend smoothly and gives the batter a better texture.
Separate Eggs Carefully: When separating eggs, be sure no yolk gets into the whites. Even a little bit can stop the whites from whipping up properly.
Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar Well: Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is light and creamy. This adds air to the batter, which helps with the cake's texture.
Fold Egg Whites Gently: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter with a spatula or balloon whisk. Don’t overmix, as it can deflate the whites and affect the cake’s texture.
Chill Before Serving: After cooling, refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours or overnight. This helps the layers firm up and makes slicing cleaner.
Presentation: Dust the top with icing sugar right before serving. A fine sieve will help you spread it evenly.
Storage: Store any leftover cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. It will stay fresh and keep its texture well.
🍰More Cake Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this Magic Cake with Coffee, you'll also adore these tasty cakes:
- Yogurt Cake
- Chocolate Banana Cake
- Molotof Cake
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Cake Recipe with Orange Juice
- Lemon Bundt Cake
🍰🍛More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Magic Cake with Coffee
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 150 g Sugar
- 120 g Flour 00
- 120 g Butter
- 250 ml Milk
- 250 ml Coffee
- Icing Sugar
Instructions
- Separate the eggs into yolks and whites with an egg separator.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
- Add the flour to the egg yolk mixture, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Pour the melted butter, mixing continuously until well combined.
- Add the milk. Mix until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the lukewarm coffee. Whisk until well combined. The batter will be quite thin—this is normal.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a balloon whisk or spatula. The batter will be lumpy and foamy; this is also normal. Make sure to fold the egg whites carefully to maintain as much air as possible.
- Pour the batter into the prepared square baking dish (20x20 cm) with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 170°C / 338°F (for a regular oven) or 150°C / 302°F (for a fan-assisted oven) for 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cake is set (it should still have a slight wobble in the center).
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish. Once cooled, refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to help it set.
- Before serving, dust the top with icing sugar.
- Slice the cake into squares or rectangles and enjoy! The magic cake should have three distinct layers: a dense bottom layer, a custard-like middle layer, and a light, airy top layer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This magic coffee cake is absolutely divine