A hugely popular Flour & Spice recipe, this coffee flavored coffee cake is well loved and for good reason!
Coffee and I we go way back, the kind of way back that makes it clear that I was my parents’ third child and not their first - this Phitti Hui Coffee basically got me through my A Levels!
The original recipe which I got from my SIL was originally posted here. I tweaked it slightly to enhance the coffee flavor and texture of the cake.
Unlike most cake recipes this makes a smaller amount of cake and frosting which is nice because let’s face it: If it made the twice the amount I would still finish it equally fast.
Bombay Bakery or ....
Bombay Bakery makes a lot of cakes, but if you are from Karachi and someone says Bombay Bakery Cake you have a singular expectation. It is the slim soft cake with coffee frosting. When I first had this cake it was positioned as a copycat of that cake and it's how many thousands of people think of it but folks THAT IS WRONG.
Bombay Bakerys cake is a vanilla cake with coffee frosting but it is IDEAL BAKERY that has the all coffee version.
My apologies for the accidental fib!
Tested and Re-tested
I get an itch every now and then to start playing with a recipe, to try and figure out if it can be improved. For this recipe I adjusted the butter, played with more oil, tweaked the sugars and so on. When it came down to it the only thing that I found made the cake any better was to halfway melt the butter. It made the cake a little more moist without sacrificing any flavor. I also have my friend Areeba from Mint Candy Designs to thank for accidentally testing it this way too.
Looking for more throwback desserts?
- Caramel Custard/Flan but dreamier and creamier than before!
- Kulfi with a Magic Crunch (it truly is magic!)
- Caramel Crunch Ice Cream - if you know you know
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Made this cake? Comment below and share your review! I can't wait to see your recreations so tag me on Instagram as well @flourandspiceblog
Coffee Cake with Coffee Buttercream
Ingredients
Coffee Cake
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup butter - almost melted
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
Coffee Buttercream
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tbsp hot water + 2 tsp instant coffee granules
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter/flour an 8 inch pan (for a slim cake) or a 6 inch pan for a higher cake
- Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
- Beat the butter till creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the sugars and beat for another 2-3 minutes until the sugars are fully incorporated and the mixture starts to look nice and fluffy.
- Now add the eggs one by one, beat 1 minute after each addition, and now mix in your vanilla extract.
- Then sift half your flour mix in, mix, scrape sides with a spatula, add remaining liquid (coffee solution and milk) and then sift in the other half of the flour mix, beat till combined.
- Pour the batter into your prepared tin
- Now start checking on it after the 30 minute mark, that’s around when the cake should be done ( a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean) if you are using an 8 inch pan. With a 6 inch, it takes 12-15 minutes longer.
- Once the cake is out let it cool in the pan for ten minutes then flip and plate and let it cool to room temperature. While this is happening you can make the frosting.
Coffee Buttercream
- Whip the butter till fluffy, then add the powdered sugar gradually and at low speed till incorporated and finally add in your coffee mix, vanilla, and salt. Beat well.
- Frost the cake once it has cooled to room temperature. I found that it stayed best at room temperature, but if you are in a warmer climate then feel free to refrigerate it tightly covered.
Notes
Looking for more easy bakes? How about one of these!
Want to make this soon! Pin it for later!
omggggg this looks so good! I LOVE coffee tooooo and I love that it's a small enough cake! love it!
Thanks!
Hi. I should bake this cake in oven keeping it 350degrees for 30mimutes ????
Looks so good! Could this be made in a 9 inch round pan? Or should I go ahead and finally buy an 8 inch pan, already lol
It's not a lot of batter so if you are going to make it a 9 inch pan then just watch the time closely! Like start checking on the batter 10 minutes sooner! Hope you like it 🙂
I tried baking this and it turned out great!! The cake was very moist and delicious.
I am so happy to hear that! thank you!
When you say the butter should be “almost melted” in the ingredients does that mean we should just let it sit out for a long time or partially melt it in the microwave? Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Nadia! Microwave it so it's almost melted through! Hope you like it 🙂
This tastes like iced Capp in a cake version. Thanks for sharing Sarah!!!
That really is the BEST description! thank you!
Such a great recipe with no need to tweak anything. Came out super moist and flavourful. This recipe is definitely going in our family’s kitchen cookbook!
Thank you Nadia!!! That's great to hear!
I tried baking the cake ... the sides were done but the centre was raw ☹️
Hi Huria! What pan size did you use?
The butter should be 3/4 cup before melting or should I take melted 3/4 cup butter..
Hi Saira! So it should be 3/4 cup melted but if you're in North America or the UK and using sticks of butter then that would be 1.5 stick of butter and then you just melt it and don't need to measure it!
What if I only have regular brown sugar (that is used for tea etc)
Hi Marriam! If you don't have white sugar then this cake will still be yummy just softer!
What will be the calories of this cake
Hi Hafsa! I am not sure, but you can probably find a nutrition calculator online
👌👌👌
It is a fabulous recipe, the cake turned out fantastic, so moist and soft yet so rich in flavour!!! It just melts in your mouth! I didn't even get the chance to do the icing!!! As soon it was cool enough we indulged and soon only a slice was left behind 🤩
Keep sharing wonderful recipes!!!
Khadija that is absolutely awesome to hear!!! thank you!!!!
Hi,
Glad to know your cake turned out fab. Just wondering, if you would be able to advice me about the type of sugar you used ( was it demerara sugar or dark brown soft sugar) or
if you made any modifications .I followed the recipe to the letter, but my cake turned dense and flat on both attempts.
Thank you very much in advance. Hope you will be able to help.
Hmmm dense and flat sounds like the leavening wasn't doing it's work. Cold ingredients (such as eggs) also tend to whip up less so that could be part of the issue
Would it be possible to use salted butter for the icing (I'm all out of unsalted butter haha)? If it is, what changes should I make to the ingredients? This cake sounds amazing, really looking forward to making it!
Hi Rumesah! I generally wouldn't recommend making that swap because all salted butters aren't the same (some saltier than others). You can totally make it with half a cup of oil though - it'll still be good!
I’ve substituted shortening for butter when making icing.
Hey Sarah,
Came to your blog when I was seraching for a coffee flavoured cake. I must say this is just what I was looking for. I am a sucker for flavourful plain cakes (I didn't do the frosting-I have no patience for frosting). This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing
Sonia
Hi Sonia! Thank you so so much for your kind words. I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the cake - I also have SUCH a soft spot for coffee flavored treats!
Can you tell how many gms of flour equals 1 cup cause I have liquid measuring cup instead of the dry measuring cup.
Hi Bushra! It's a different unit of measurement but roughly 120g!
Made this for my mom and she absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Yay!!!! That's awesome Heba I am SO happy to hear that!
This cake turned out perfect - thank you !
Thank YOU!
I love love love this recipe and the resultant cake! It came out so good my mind was blown. Lol. Thank you for this!
Thank you SO SO much!!!!!
My mom simply loves coffee cakes
I made this for her on mothers day
And she liked this recipe so much
Im simply inspired by ur recipes
They are amazing
I love to cook and your recipes have made that extremely easy🥰🥰🥰🥰this cake was super moist from the inside.
That is WONDERFUL to hear! Thank you and your mother is lucky to have you!
This cake is DIVINE! I came across this recipe when searching for the Bombay cake recipe (which I had been craving for YEARS) and happy to report, this is actually better... and SO EASY .... thank you for sharing this recipe and sharing credit with the original blogs!
I am SO happy to hear that Tania thank you!!!!
In step 6 you say add remaining coffee and milk. At which point do u put it first? I couldn’t find it in the receding steps.
Hi Zahra! I say remaining liquid which is the dissolved coffee and milk mix! Sorry about the late reply on this - I am not sure how I missed it!
Hi!
Any thoughts if I want to replace butter with oil and should I reduce the quantity of butter?
TIA
Hi Nashia! I am SO sorry about missing this - yes you'd been to decrease the quantity for oil. I'd use about half a cup!
Do you think I can bake this as cupcakes instead of a cake tin? 8-10 minutes should be enough?
Hi Bindu! I know people who have done it but I haven't. For cupcakes I typically feel like 12-14 minutes is right but your nose is always a good indicator of when things are baked - the aroma becomes so nice then!
Hi Sarah,
What do you mean by instant coffee? The powdered one with milk and sugar in it or the one with some granules?
Instant coffee is just coffee not the powdered sugar and milk mix. thanks for the question!
No oil required in this cake?
Yup! This cake is made with butter not oil 🙂
Is there a way I could add blueberries to this recipe?
Hi Allison! I am not sure if it will work because the cake is already fairly moist, but if you give it a shot I would love to hear how it turned out!
Hello. Is butter should be salted or unsalted?
Unsalted always!
Hi , i made these yesterday in a mini bundt pan, result was superb ! Rich flavour, moist and yes i did'nt get to do the frosting too, coz its gone by the time i set it on the plate 🥰.
I have been searching in google and you tube for a real flavoured COFFEE cake, and i found your recipe .
Thank you for sharing it with us !
I am SO SO happy to hear that! thank you very much for sharing your review!
Baked this cake for my birthday and it was an absolute hit! So moist and tasty. Thank you for doing what you do
thank you Ronak for sharing that and a Happy Belated Birthday to you!
Hi the butter in this recipe is salted/ unsalted
Unsalted always unless it's specified to be salted!
Hi Sarah,
Can I use this recipe with the exact measurements and make it into cupcakes?
Absolutely! It makes a smaller batch I believe - a little over a dozen!
My absolute favourite! So easy to make too!
thank you Aminah!
Could I double the recipe and make it a sandwich cake?
Absolutely!!!
Really liked this recipe. I’m a true Bombay bakery coffee cake fan. And this recipe is so similar to it. And yes! This one is more moist. Those who are coffee lovers would definitely love it. I will surely make it again. 💕
Thank you so so much Fatima! I am thrilled to hear that!
Tried this cake for the first time and it was a total hit! Thanks for a great recipe!
Alright! I am SO glad to hear that!
Made it for the first time and everybody just loved it. Thank you so much!!
I am SO glad to hear it Sanober!
Love it! Made 3 times in a week!
Wow! That is SO awesome to hear - thank you!!!!
hello Sarahah. what lb of cake does this recipe yeilds??
Hi Raiha! I am SO sorry, but I am not sure at all!
Comfort food at its best! This cake is perfect with a cup of chai/coffee on a winter day.
yay!!! I am SO glad you feel that way!
If i want to increase cake size,should i exactly double the ingredients?
That's absolutely the way to go!
Thank you for sharing the yummy coffee cake recipe. The process you used looks quicker. I'm excited to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing the yummy coffee cake recipe.
Thanks so much Dan!
Hi Sarah, I found this through your Instagram and I was every nervous making it because I’m a die hard fan of the Bombay bakery cake. I doubled the recipe and it turned out AMAZING. So soft, moist and perfect! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Hi Qurat!!! I am SO SO glad! I know the nervous feeling you're talking about so well and I am relieved the cake did not disappoint! wooohoo!
I made this cake with Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and reduced the sugar slightly. This cake had such a unique flavour and everyone in my family loved it. I’ve never tried the Bombay Bakery one but this was delicious. Thank you!
I am so so glad to hear that! Also it is a relief to know it works with gluten free flour!
I randomly picked this recipe as I was looking to bake a coffee cake and OMG that was a perfect pick!!
I tried baking and this cake turned out to be ultra moist, pleasantly rich -decadent coffee cake !!!
This recipe is a keeper!!
Thank you Sarah for sharing your yummy recipe !
I am SO SO glad you enjoyed it!!!
My mom and I were just reminiscing about Bombaby Bakery & it’s amazing coffee cake. I am definitely surprising her with this. Thank you 😊
Oooh how nice! I hope she loves it!
Hey Sarah!
What if I don’t have brown sugar and unsalted butter? Or should I just go but unsalted one :p
White sugar gives a sweeter and drier cake which is still workable. Salted butter doesn’t work here at all unfortunately
Will it not work with salted butter if I omit adding the salt to the flour?
No sorry, the salt in the flour is v little compared to what’s in the butter
Love this recipe and made it few times! Quick question if I wanted to double it do I simply double the recipe or would there be other changes? Thanks!
So glad you do! And yes a straight double works!
I have tried this recipe and it’s delicious! I’m planning to double it next time, I understand I can simply double the ingredients, but does the bake time vary? Would you recommend a bigger pan or a Bundt pan instead? I worry about it not cooking evenly…
Hi Marium! I haven't tested it with double the batter in one pan yet so I would be nervous about advising you incorrectly. However, I do recognize that's not super helpful so I can give you my best guess: In a 9 inch pan with higher sides (it's not a lot of batter for a bundt), I'd check on it at 40 minutes and adjust from there on out. Let me know how it goes!
My cake turned out totally flat and didn’t rise. I don’t think the butter should’ve been almost melted, room temperature would’ve been fine. But this is just a guess. Also the coffee flavor in the buttercream was way too strong.
That’s disappointing - it’s not a high cake but it always rises. My guess is that it’s the leavening agent that’s the issue not the butter. Sorry didn’t work for you
Made this cake in a 7 inch cake pan..baked for 1 hour and still center was raw.. also do we put this in the fridge to cool down.. its became rock hard but the taste was really good
hmm I am surprised by that but sometimes the temperatures vary across ovens. I usually don't refrigerate cakes for the above reason. if I do then I make sure they are well covered and take them out in advance and serve them at room temperature
I love this cake recipe and have made it plenty of times in a 9inch pan but this past time I tried to make it in the 6inch and it started to overflow to the bottom of the oven. Should I have split the batter between two 6inch pans?
Hi victoria! My 6 inch pan has high sides so perhaps that's why I didn't have that issue. The 6 inch pans I use for layered cakes are shallow and I can totally imagine that happening with those. Thank you for bringing this to my attention - I should specify pan height too!
Hi
First time landed upon your website and am captivated by your coffee cake. Can’t wait to whip it up!
I am just wondering if the cup and spoon measurements given to make this cake are U.K. specific, as American cup and spoon capacity is different.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Sally! That's an excellent question - they're definitely based on American measurements since that is what I have and use but my understanding from other readers is that its worked well even in UK measurements! Happy bakingQ!
Hi,
One more question please, is it soft ‘dark brown’ sugar or Demerara sugar that is used for this coffee cake?
Thank you very much.
In terms of the sugar I have used every variation on brown sugar and it works (from light brown to demerara) so I'd say use whatever is in your pantry!
This was really good. Even without the frosting. Everything is so perfect about this cake. Thanks a lot for such a great recipe.
Glad to hear it!! Thank you Sana!
Stumbled upon your blog while searching for the perfect coffee cake for a friend’s son’s birthday. The cake turned out so delicious& moist. The birthday boy loved the cake. Thank you!
I started following your Instagram page as well thanks to this recipe and enjoy all your posts.
Aww susan thank you so very much for this!
Can this recipe be doubled or tripled to make a bigger size?
Yes absolutely! This is a smaller cake and I know of lots of people who have doubled it for parties!
Have made it once and making it again today In Shaa Allah. It is a delicious cake and the buttercream is just *chef’s kiss* MashaAllah.
OOFH! THANK YOU! Happy New Year!
Lovely cake. I don't have instant coffee so I brewed triple strength and used that in place of the milk. Added strong bourbon (1 tablespoon) and no vanilla. Tastes great. I think I would cut back on the butter a bit, cake is a little dense. I didn't make the frosting, ran out of time, served it with ice cream. Delicious.
Hey Luna! Cool substitutions! Thanks so much for the feedback 🙂
Amazing cake. Just the best! The frosting is droolworthy
Thank you so so much Nabiya!
The first time i made in the pandemic i forgot sugar which i eventually remembered and added to the batter.. then when it was already in the oven i remembered i never added milk.. it was still yummy despite being a little dry.
Today i followed the recipe to the T for some guests and cant wait to dig in when they ate here..
it looks perfect!
I hope your guests loved it! Re: forgetting the milk, I could write a book on my baking snafus!
Hi, I am about to give it a try.
In the blog , you mentioned about halfway melting your butter.
I didn’t quite get it. Could you please explain.
Wish me luck.
Thanks
Hi Kanval! If you microwave your butter so that it's semi liquid semi solid (about 30 seconds) that's ideal!
This was very good even without the icing. Wonderful flavor and nice and moist. Next time will bake in different pan as was a bit too much better for 6 inch round pan.
Absolutely wonderful to hear that! Thank you!
Hi Sarah!
I tried your coffee cake, and it was simply amazing!!🤩 I adjusted the ingredients a bit because I don't have the measuring cups. Also, I baked it in loaf pan because I wasn't sure about the size of my pan. But the cake came out so perfectly, even though I didn't put any frosting over it 🤩🤩🤗🤗🥳🥳 (my husband doesn't like frosting on the cakes). It was an absolute treat to our day. 😊🥰🫠😇
Salaam Sarah! I want to try this recipe but don't have instant coffee. Could I substitute with regular brewed coffee or espresso? If so, how much would you recommend? Thank you!
HI Khadeeja! So sorry - just seeing this. I haven't personally tried it with anything but instant and I don't want to mislead you!
Hi ,
I have never tried Bombay bakery’s coffee cake but if it’s as good as this cake then I’m not bothered 😀, this was an easy recipe to follow and the cake turned out super moist and delicious! Like others I didn’t use the frosting. I was happy with the cake just as it was . I think using melted butter definitely has made all the difference!
P.s
I’m new to your website but this is the second recipe I have tried and so far it’s been great ! Can’t wait to try more new recipes.
Hey Mariyeh!!! First of all thank you for popping by! Glad you're enjoying the recipes! Ever since you sent this message I've been thinking I should make it without frosting just to snack on! Thank you for your review!
Amazing recipe and the cake turned out super moist and delicious … my kids loved it so did we … thank u for sharing
could we try this with a cake mix? like a simple yellow cake mix ? just a thought! looking fwd to making this. All
your recipes have been so on point for me💜
Hey! Do you mean make a vanilla cake and then use this frosting? This makes a small amount of frosting so I'd double it for a "regular" sized cake!
hi!
i meant using a cake mix to make the cake itself but adding the coffee component to the vanilla cake mix. hope that makes sense! thanks!
You know my mom does that alllll the time so I know it works, but she also just eyeballs quantities so I am not sure how much she puts in! it's her andaza that led me to food blogging so I suppose I shouldn't be critical of the lack of measuring!
I’ve tried baking many different coffee flavored cake recipes and this is hands down THE BEST recipe i’ve found and i’m so happy. The cake turned out extremely moist and the flavor of the coffee was just the right amount. I’m gonna be making this so often it’s my favorite thank you!! 🫶🏽
Aditi! That is wonderful to hear! Thank you so so much for this review!
Hey
Is the temperature in degree Celsius or °F ?
Thankyou
Hey Sehrish! It's in fahrenheit!
If the butter is almost melted, how does one beat it till it's creamy and light...wont it be liquidy... Also i dont use a microwave, so melt on stovetop...
Hey Lakshmi! I would definitely not use the stovetop for this because the way the stove top heats you will literally get liquid and not softened better. Given that it's warm these days you can leave it out on the counter to come to room temperature and go from there. When a microwave heats butter it basically softens it through and so when you see the melting start then it is still very much whippable and just not firm. Hope this helps!
Hi Sarah! I can’t wait to try out this recipe from Canada 🙂 I just had one question, do you use All Purpose flour or Cake flour?
Zarifa! My fellow Canadian! AP flour is the way to go - happy baking 🙂
Hi should we use salted butter or unsalted??
unsalted! happy baking!
Hey Sarah, I've made this cake a couple of times and each time it has turned out fantastic. Thanks so much for this recipe!!
I'm going to ask a scandalous question but I'm wondering if it's possible to do a vegan version of this cake as in do you have suggestions on how the recipe can be tweaked (if at all possible). I live in Germany and vegan cakes are a big thing here so I wonder how can I feed this amazing cake to vegan friends. I'd understand if you reply with a simple NO lol.
Hi Zainab! First of all thank you for this review! Second of all I am trying to think this through, I haven't personally tried it and I haven't received any comments from anyone who has. You'd have to switch out the butter (easy enough) and the eggs which is what is trickier!
Satisfied my Bombay Bakery cake cravings!!!
So glad to hear that!
This is an absolutely addictive recipe. You make it once and you’re hooked!!! Especially the frosting is dangerously delicious!
Thank you SO SO much Fatima!