Blackberry Almond Coffee Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the tartness of fresh blackberries with a moist almond-flavored cake. Topped with a crunchy almond streusel, this coffee cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, if necessary)

For the Almond Streusel Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Timing

Making Blackberry Almond Coffee Cake takes about 20 minutes for preparation and 40-45 minutes for baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating well to combine.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in the blackberries.

Step 3: Prepare the Almond Streusel Topping

1. Mix Streusel Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, sliced almonds, cold butter, and cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until crumbly.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
2. Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the almond streusel evenly over the top of the batter.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Serve: Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. This cake pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Blackberry Almond Coffee Cake (per slice, based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	220
Protein	3g
Fat	10g
Carbohydrates	30g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	12g

Tips for Customization

• Add Zest: Incorporate some lemon or orange zest into the batter for a citrusy flavor boost.
• Use Different Berries: Substitute blackberries with blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries for variety.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake gluten-free.

Conclusion

Blackberry Almond Coffee Cake is a delicious and versatile dessert that beautifully combines flavors and textures. Its moist cake, juicy blackberries, and crunchy almond topping make it a delightful choice for any occasion. Enjoy this delightful recipe!