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Aaah, afternoon tea. It’s a time-honoured tradition that has sadly been lost in the hectic haze of modern life. During my childhood in Perth, where it was all 80s innocence and 90s glam, the ritual of afternoon tea was firmly ingrained in our daily meanderings. For us neighbourhood kids, it was taking a break for sustenance between general mucking about and trampolining. During my Sydney high school years, I seeked solace in fresh ham and cheese toasties and junk food in the afternoon… anything to delay homework (which I never did anyway). Nowadays, I barely have breakfast or lunch, much less a quick time out for a cuppa. It’s astounding how much things can change in 20-odd years. I’m also weirded out by how nostalgic and sentimental I’m getting as I’m enjoying the last vestiges of my roaring 20s.
But if I was to do tea, then I can’t go past cake. Simple nourishing cake. And this Coffee Crunch Cake is a winner. Being infused with coffee, the smell out of the oven was amazing but even if you weren’t a coffee lover, the flavour isn’t overbearing like say… a tiramisu. It’s also a textural delight – pillowy soft cake with the light crunch of the crumble. It demands a good cup of coffee or tea to accompany it and it simply deserves to be savoured… preferably at about 4pm, the optimal reminiscing hour.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I've never done "tea," but I'm a big fan of both coffee and cake… this looks like a sure winner!
I agree, afternoon tea is not practiced enough… although im doing my bit keeping it alive by bring in baked goods to work so we can have cake or sweets for a little afternoon pickup :)
mmm and wearing technicolour tshirts!
Oh delicious. I'm totally with you on afternoon tea – nothing like a good, simple cake that's freshly made. Thanks for sharing this delicious yet simple recipe!
I totally agree. That's it. We are going to do more afternoon teas together! I love a good coffee crunch cake, it's one of my mum's favs :)
I can so smell that coffee crunch cake from here and imagine its texture and taste….aaahhhh..take me away to that cake-filled dream, nothing better to cure three-thirtyitis…..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..can you send some over… :P
Love a crunchy top!
My siblings would always taunt me with tales of the home baked treats that awaited them in the afternoons, but Mum was always so busy with work by the time I came around that I missed out on such delights. A Mars Bar isn't quite the same (but might explain my squidginess back then!)
I wish my English husband was more inclined to afternoon tea…but he has adapted the American (or at least, West Coast) habit of an early dinner. I'll file this recipe away, just the same!
yummo cake karen, i want some
Looks divine! I can almost taste it, beautiful photo
Mmm that looks wonderful, though I might only be able to hold out til 3.30 instead of 4!
Such a delicious-looking cake, and crumble toppings are my favourite!
yummo! This looks fantastic, anything with a crunchy top if good in my books.
So this is the cake I could have parttaken in! =D
I just made this dessert and let me tell you – it's the perfect texture/sweetness! So good!
Whata gorgeous coffee crumble cake. I love this idea. Very clever and also very much full of differing textures. I am making this tonight….YUMM!
You and innocence?? :P but loving crunch mmmm crunch!
I'd love a slice or two of that cake – with or without tea.
Looks perfect!
looks really nice karen thanks for sharing
A slice of this for afternoon tea sounds pretty divine!
You managed to bake such a beautiful cake and at the same time, capture it to its most wonderful detail and texture. Just brilliant!
Sawadee from bangkok,
Kris
Coffeeeeeeee! Cake and caffeine = WIN. It looks so soft and perfect for afternoon tea. So sad that there isn't enough time in the adult world to sit down and enjoy a darn good piece of cake. Less work-ey more cake-ey I say.
My Mum instituted proper afternoon tea one holiday period when I was still living at home and she went crazy making all sorts of appropriate cakes – not too sweet and none with icing. I have very fond memories of that time too. We always 'do' afternoon tea when we go camping – there's always time when you're in the middle of nowhere :) This cake looks just the ticket.
How much water and instant coffee do you use?
Just add in as much instant coffee as you like to 60ml water
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