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A Delicious Alternative to Traditional Babka
Growing up, babka was a staple in our household. My chef-mother would spend hours in the kitchen, rolling out the cold rising yeast dough and layering it with melted chocolate, merengue, and a chocolate, cinnamon nut mixture before slicing and baking it to perfection. It was a treat reserved for special occasions as it was a labor-intensive process. However, as I grew older, I realized that the traditional babka recipe was not the healthiest option. That's when I decided to experiment with a gluten-free, yeast-free, healthy coffee cake recipe that incorporates coffee. Not only is it a delectable treat, but it's also a healthier alternative.
We wouldn't pick anything over our Coffee Honey to be in this recipe!
Healthy coffee cake is a new concept for me.
The first tip I have for baking with fresh berries is to ensure that the fruit does not sink to the bottom of the cake. I used to think that adding a tablespoon or two of the dry ingredients on the blueberries before folding them into the batter would solve the problem. But, it didn't. The solution is to line the pan with batter and then toss and mix the berries into the balance of the batter before adding them to the batter. This prevents them from sinking and distributes them evenly throughout the cake.
One of the main ingredients in my healthy coffee cake recipe is coconut oil. I love baking with coconut oil because it doesn't burn at high temperatures, which is perfect for baking with honey. Despite the recent negative perception of coconut oil, it's an excellent source of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides). MCTs are converted into energy in your body, making them an excellent option for people who exercise and engage in physically demanding activities.
The coffee cake recipe I use also calls for coffee, which was a surprise to me. I never knew that most coffee cake recipes contain coffee as an ingredient. The coffee adds a unique flavor to the cake, and it bakes up beautifully brown, which is a departure from the traditional crumble topping found on most coffee cakes.
At my farm, Chesterhaven Beach Farm, we have our apiary, where we draw inspiration from the beauty of nature. The bees play a significant role in our ecosystem, and we preserve a large portion of our farmland specifically for them. Bees are responsible for one-third of the food we eat and are providers of a food system and shelter for wildlife. The preciousness of honey and its healing properties are nature's gifts worth sharing and protecting.
If you love coffee, you'll appreciate our handmade coffee and cream bar soap
How to make Healthy Coffee Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sift all dry cake ingredients together, add ground coffee and shredded coconut, set aside.
- Mix honey, warm coffee, and melted coconut oil until honey is melted, set aside.
- Whisk eggs, add plant milk and vanilla.
- Add the honey, coconut oil, and coffee mixture (be sure it's cool) to the wet ingredients.
- Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
- Fold dry fresh blueberries into the batter.
- Grease an 8×8 glass baking dish with coconut oil and fill with honey coffee cake batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are browned and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- While the honey coffee cake is baking, place a skillet on medium heat. Add coconut oil and then pecan pieces. Mix to coat.
- When the nuts begin to brown add the Eastern Shore Honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt and mix thoroughly.
- When the cake is finished baking, top with the nut mixture and allow it to cool.
- Cut into slices and serve.
Adapting our Healthy Coffee Cake Recipe
Any recipe does not reach true perfection until you’ve added your own touch to it. At Bee Inspired Honey House we encourage you to play with your food. Change up this recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Replace the chopped pecans with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or chopped pistachio nuts.
- Leave off the nut topping. This cake will stand on its own without the candied nut topping.
- Remove the blueberries; either replace them with a fruit of your choice or make it without any fruit.
- Serve with an iced double plant-based latte made with coconut milk!
- Try making this recipe with different kinds of honey, like our Wildflower Honey or Blueberry Honey, to change the flavor profile.
Though my healthy coffee cake recipe is a departure from the traditional babka recipe, it's just as delicious and is a healthier alternative. With a few simple tips such as tossing fresh berries in batter and using coconut oil, you can make a scrumptious cake that's sure to impress. Incorporating coffee into your baking is also an excellent way to add a unique flavor to your cake. Not to mention, beekeeping is a fun way to preserve and nurture the environment, which is essential for future generations. When you choose healthy and natural products to gift, you inspire good will and multiply its impact.
This candle is spot-on double espresso fragrance
