| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 45 mins – 55 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 500 | 30g | 16g | 55g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 25g | 3g | 10g | 0.4g |
Growing up amid the food paradise of Seattle with a distinct pulse of Japanese tradition, I’ve always been fascinated by blending culinary cultures. If you’re following me on my food journey, you know I love a good fusion dish—and this time, I’ve decided to walk an uncharted recipe path. Today, I’m sharing the very unique Durian Coffee Cake that marries the flavors of the East with a familiar Western dessert.
A Cake with a Twist
This Durian Coffee Cake isn’t just any ordinary cake—it’s a culinary creation that holds a combination of the Pacific Northwest’s bounteous resources, an American classic, and a powerfully aromatic, distinctive ingredient from the East—Durian. This recipe is my attempt to bridge the gap between my Japanese roots and experiences growing up in Seattle. The durian fruit, often referred to as the ‘King of Fruits’ in Southeast Asia, lends an interesting twist to our regular coffee cake, making it moist, succulent and very flavorful. If you ever enjoy an American breakfast with a Japanese twist, this recipe is definitely one you should try out!
Health Benefits
Aside from its surprising recipe lineage, eating the Durian Coffee Cake comes with several health benefits too. That’s right—this cake is not merely a treat to your taste buds but a boon to your health as well. Durian is rich in fiber, making it good for digestion. It also boasts a significant amount of Vitamin C, improving the overall immune system. The presence of strong brewed coffee not only fuels an early morning breakfast push, but is also packed with beneficial antioxidants.
Every slice of this flavor-filled cake gives a nod to the two places that have shaped my culinary journey and serves as a tangible embodiment of my personal food-loving narrative. Enjoy it with your loved ones for an invigorating start to the day or as a dessert option for your next potluck and allow its multi-cultural delight to win everyone’s heart!
Great with a cup of Japanese Green Tea, this cake is certain to elevate your traditional breakfast or afternoon snack. You could also serve it as a standout dessert alongside a meal like my favorite Japanese fried chicken or classic Seattle seafood dishes. Enjoy this recipe and let the fusion of diverse flavors mesmerize your senses!
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup durian flesh, deseeded and pureed
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)
Method
Step One
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
Step Two
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for later use.
Step Three
In a separate, larger bowl, cream together your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step Four
Add your eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, ensuring that each egg is thoroughly incorporated before adding the next. Following this, stir in the vanilla extract.
Step Five
Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter and sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Ensure that each addition is thoroughly incorporated before adding the next.
Step Six
Fold the durian puree and the cooled, strong brewed coffee into your mixture until it is well combined. If you’re using nuts, you can fold these in now as well.
Step Seven
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top of the batter.
Step Eight
Bake the coffee cake in your preheated oven for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step Nine
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step Ten
Once cooled, slice and serve your homemade durian coffee cake. Enjoy!
