National Coffee Cake Day is observed every year on April 7. It’s a great day to get together with your family, friends or colleagues over a cup of coffee and cake.
What Is Coffee Cake?
Coffee cake is a sweet cake made to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee. Despite the name, it rarely contains coffee as an ingredient. What it does have is a soft, tender crumb, often topped with a crumbly streusel of sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Some versions are layered with fruit, nuts, or chocolate.
Origins of the Tradition
The tradition of enjoying coffee cake originated in Europe, particularly from Germany and Scandinavia.
In Germany, the custom of gathering over coffee and cake is known as kaffeeklatsch — an informal social ritual similar to Britain’s teatime, where people come together over a warm cup of tea and good conversation.
Scandinavia has its own versions. In Sweden, fika is a common daily ritual of taking a break to enjoy coffee, cake, or pastries with friends or colleagues. Denmark‘s kaffebord, meanwhile, takes things a step further as an elaborate spread of cakes and pastries served alongside multiple cups of coffee.
When German and Scandinavian immigrants arrived in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought these traditions with them. Over time, the recipes evolved into the coffee cakes we know and love today.
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