Get ready to have your taste buds blown away because this coffee loaf cake recipe (with coffee whipped cream frosting) is a coffee lover’s dream come true!

The bold and aromatic flavors of a freshly brewed cup of coffee are infused into every bite, creating a rich and satisfying taste that’s hard to resist. The light and fluffy whipped cream frosting only adds to the amazing flavor profile, making this cake a perfect blend of indulgence and simplicity.

Whether you’re sharing it with friends or savoring it solo, this coffee loaf cake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, especially for all coffee lovers out there. So go ahead and treat yourself to a slice (or two) of this deliciousness!

Ingredients for this moist coffee loaf cake

You’ll need a few simple ingredients for this recipe, which can be found in any big grocery store:

Unsalted butter. The unsalted butter lends richness and tenderness to the cake. It helps give a moist cake.
Granulated sugar. It adds sweetness to the cake and helps with the texture
Brown sugar. It imparts a caramel-like flavor and a subtle molasses taste to the cake, which enhances the depth of flavor and provides a slightly chewy texture
Eggs. Provide structure to the cake and help to bind the ingredients together, resulting in a moist and fluffy texture
Vanilla extract. Adds a sweet and floral aroma to the cake, elevating its overall flavor profile
All-purpose flour. It provides structure to the cake and gives it a tender crumb, allowing it to hold its shape and not crumble when cut
Baking soda. Helps the cake to rise and gives it a light and airy texture, making it soft and fluffy.
Baking powder. It helps the cake to rise and provides it with a slightly tangy taste, adding to its overall flavor complexity
Fine salt. Enhances the overall flavor of the cake, providing balance to the sweetness and allowing the other flavors to shine through
Whole milk. Adds moisture to the cake, making it soft and tender, while also providing a rich and creamy flavor
Instant espresso powder. It infuses the cake with a bold coffee flavour.
Heavy cream. It’s the base for the coffee whipped cream frosting
Icing sugar. Sweetens and gives structure to the whipped cream frosting

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe!

Substitutions and add-ons for this delicious cake

You can substitute the instant espresso powder for instant coffee granules
If whipped cream is not on your list of favorite frostings, try homemade or store-bought caramel sauce instead. You can also use a simple glaze –coffee glaze– made by mixing 2 cups sifted powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons coffee (add 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder for a strong coffee flavor)
Cinnamon is a great addition to a cinnamon coffee cake loaf recipe. Just add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the batter and bake as directed
Turn this delicious coffee cake into a mocha loaf cake by adding 1/4 cup extra milk and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder with the dry ingredients
You can also turn it into a Coffee walnut loaf cake by adding 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts into the batter before baking.

How to make this coffee cake recipe

Coffee loaf cake

Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch loaf tin with parchment paper or grease with oil and dust with flour.

Over a small bowl, dilute milk and espresso powder until no lumps are visible. Set aside.

Over a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in room temperature eggs, one by one, mixing after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix.

In a separate medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to mix the flour mixture and aerate the ingredients for 1 minute.

Turn the speed of the mixer to low. Start adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, alternating with the coffee-milk mixture. Mix until just combined.

Pour cake batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth out with a spatula. Use a knife to make a slice on top of the loaf, in the middle.

Place your cake in the middle rack of your oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Let cool for 15 minutes and then remove it carefully from the pan and place it over a wire rack to cool completely.

Coffee whipped cream frosting

Freeze a metal bowl and whisk attachment for 15 minutes.

Beat all of the ingredients together on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread the coffee whipped cream on top of the cake or serve on the side of each slice.

Coffee whipped cream ingredients ready to be whipped

Expert tips for best results

Before you start baking, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. This includes butter, eggs, and milk. Room-temperature ingredients will mix together more easily and help create a tender crumb.
Over-mixing the batter can result in a tough and dense cake. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined and there are no lumps, then stop
Making a slice down the center of your loaf with a knife gets that perfect split down the middle of your loaf cake. It might appear on its own, but this way you make sure its a single slice, exactly where you want it to be.
When you over-beat whipped cream, you’ll end up with a grainy and lumpy texture. This happens because the fat globules in the cream have been agitated too much, causing them to stick together and eventually separate from the liquid. Beat it just until it reaches the desired consistency. Be sure to keep a close eye on it as you’re beating it, as it can go from perfectly whipped to over-beaten in a matter of seconds.