Why You’ll Love this Rich Buttery Boston Coffee Cake
Everyone deserves a coffee cake that’s worth waking up for, and this Boston Coffee Cake delivers in every possible way. The rich cardamom-infused dough creates a base that’s simultaneously light and substantial, while the almond-hazelnut filling brings a nutty complexity that’ll make your taste buds dance.
I’m particularly fond of how the butter melts into every crevice, creating pockets of moisture that contrast beautifully with the caramelized exterior.
Can you imagine the aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes? Golden, swirled perfection that pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
What Ingredients are in Rich Buttery Boston Coffee Cake?
This Boston Coffee Cake brings together a beautiful combination of warm, aromatic spices and rich, indulgent ingredients that make it so much more than your average coffee cake.
The dough gets its distinctive flavor from cardamom, which adds a unique warmth that’s quintessentially Scandinavian in character (despite the Boston name!). And can we talk about the butter? There’s a reason it’s prominently featured in the recipe title – it creates those gorgeous, melt-in-your-mouth layers that make this cake absolutely irresistible.
For the Dough:
- 25g fresh yeast
- 100g butter
- 250ml milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 100ml sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 750ml all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 75g butter, softened
- 100ml ground almonds
- 6 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
- 100ml powdered sugar
For Finishing:
- 1 beaten egg (for brushing)
- Pearl sugar (for sprinkling)
Don’t worry too much about the fresh yeast if you can’t find it – you can substitute with active dry yeast, just use about one-third the amount.
The pearl sugar might also be a bit tricky to source, but it’s worth hunting down for that authentic Nordic finish. If you really can’t find it, the recipe notes you can simply use powdered sugar icing drizzled over the top after baking.
And while the combination of ground almonds and hazelnuts creates a wonderfully complex nutty flavor, you could always adjust the ratio if one nut is easier for you to find than the other.
The vanilla sugar adds a lovely aromatic quality, but regular vanilla extract with a touch more sugar works in a pinch too.
How to Make this Rich Buttery Boston Coffee Cake
Making this heavenly Boston Coffee Cake starts with creating the perfect dough. Begin by melting 100g of butter in a saucepan, then add 250ml of milk and gently heat the mixture to a cozy 38°C—warm enough to activate the yeast but not so hot it kills it.
Once your liquid reaches that perfect temperature, crumble in 25g of fresh yeast and whip it lightly to dissolve. This is where the magic begins! Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 100ml of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of ground cardamom (honestly, that cardamom scent alone is worth making this cake for).
Now comes the therapeutic part—gradually incorporating 750ml of all-purpose flour. Start by stirring with a wooden spoon, then get your hands in there and knead until you have a smooth, elastic dough that doesn’t stick to the bowl or your fingers.
Cover this beautiful creation and let it rise until doubled in size, which takes about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 200°C and grease a 24cm round cake pan with a removable bottom.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, roughly 40cm x 45cm. Spread 75g of softened butter over the dough, then mix together 100ml ground almonds, 6 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, and 100ml powdered sugar, and sprinkle this gorgeous filling evenly over the butter.
The next step is where we create those beautiful swirls. Roll the dough up tightly from the longer side, then cut it into approximately 4cm pieces. Place these pieces, cut side up, into your prepared pan, nestling them close together.
Cover again and let them rise for another 30 minutes until nicely puffed up. Brush the top with beaten egg and sprinkle with pearl sugar for that classic Nordic finish.
Bake in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the cake turns a beautiful golden brown. Remember to cover the cake while it cools—this helps keep all that buttery moisture locked in.
And if you’re pearl sugar-less, no worries. Simply brush with egg before baking and drizzle some powdered sugar icing on top once cooled. For easier preparation of ingredients, a high-quality food processor can help streamline the process of chopping hazelnuts and mixing the filling. The result? A coffee cake that’s rich, buttery, and absolutely unforgettable.
Rich Buttery Boston Coffee Cake Substitutions and Variations
While this traditional Boston Coffee Cake recipe is absolutely divine as written, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste preferences or accommodate what’s in your pantry.
Don’t have cardamom? Cinnamon makes a wonderful substitute, or try a mix of nutmeg and allspice for a different flavor profile.
Hazelnuts can be swapped for walnuts or pecans, which offer their own delicious nuttiness.
Can’t find pearl sugar? No worries—a simple powdered sugar glaze works beautifully as mentioned in the recipe.
For a fruity twist, I’d add a layer of thinly sliced apples or a scatter of fresh berries.
What to Serve with Rich Buttery Boston Coffee Cake
When you’re serving a slice of this rich, aromatic Boston Coffee Cake, what you pair it with can elevate the entire experience from merely delicious to absolutely memorable.
I always recommend a bold cup of freshly brewed coffee—perhaps a medium roast that won’t overpower those delicate cardamom notes.
A dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting against the warm cake? Divine.
For brunch gatherings, consider adding fresh berries on the side or a small cheese board with mild selections.
The slight saltiness creates a perfect balance with the cake’s sweetness.
Final Thoughts
This Boston Coffee Cake has become my absolute favorite weekend indulgence. The rich cardamom aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is almost as wonderful as that first buttery bite.
Trust me, your family will gather around like moths to a flame when this comes out of the oven.
What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. Serve it warm from the oven or at room temperature the next day—it’s divine either way.
The perfect balance of sweetness with those crunchy hazelnuts and fragrant spices makes this so much more than just another coffee cake.
