Swedish Coffee Cake is a classic sweet treat known for its tender, buttery crumb and rich topping. Popular in Scandinavian-American homes, this cake is often served at coffee gatherings, a tradition known as fika in Sweden, where friends and family gather for coffee and pastries. The topping of brown sugar, coconut, and butter gives the cake a caramelized crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake beneath. This recipe is baked in large pans, making it a perfect choice for gatherings, potlucks, or holiday brunches. Its balance of sweetness and texture makes it a comforting and nostalgic dessert enjoyed year-round.
Ingredients
Cake:
- ½ lb butter (softened)
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs (large )
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups sifted flour
- 12 oz evaporated milk
Topping:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup shredded coconut
- 4 tbsp flour
- 4 tbsp butter (melted )
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Pans
- Grease two baking pans: one 9x13-inch and one 9x9-inch. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Step 4: Sift & Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour and baking powder.
Step 5: Alternate Mixing
- Add the sifted flour mixture alternately with the evaporated milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.
Step 6: Prepare Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, coconut, flour, and melted butter. Stir until crumbly.
Step 7: Assemble Cake
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Sprinkle topping mixture generously over the batter.
Step 8: Bake
- Bake in preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool & Serve
- Allow cakes to cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature with coffee or tea.
Tips
- Use toasted coconut for a deeper, caramelized flavor in the topping.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla to the batter for additional aroma.
- Substitute half the evaporated milk with sour cream for richer texture.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for crunch.
- Replace coconut with brown-sugar streusel if coconut is not preferred.
- Lightly warm slices before serving for a fresh-baked experience.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for presentation.
- Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months, thaw and add topping before reheating.
- Serve with coffee or tea, traditionally enjoyed as a fika treat.
- Add a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon to introduce Scandinavian spice character.
Nutrition
Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 450IUCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.8mg