Coffee Cake Muffins to Share with Hawaiian Coffee This Holiday Season

Picture your perfect holiday morning. If it includes gathering family and friends over fresh-baked treats and a delicious cup of coffee, you’re in the right place.

In Hawaii, sweet breads and pastries are a big part of local culinary traditions. You’ll find them at roadside fruit stands, local bakeries, and bustling holiday potlucks. From banana or mango bread to fluffy malasadas filled with coconut cream or hand pies packed with taro custard, there’s always something ono and baked from the heart to share with ‘ohana. This year, add a little aloha to your holiday breakfast table with 100% Hawaiian Coffee and a homemade treat like our tropical coffee cake muffins. 

These muffins are easy to make, easy to customize, and pair beautifully with our Estate Reserve coffees. With a sweet banana batter, golden crumb topping and a hint of cinnamon, they’re a nostalgic nod to classic coffee cake reimagined with a tropical twist.

Tropical Coffee Cake Muffin Recipe

These coffee cake muffins are easy to bake, easy to serve, and guaranteed to disappear quickly at any holiday breakfast. With a golden crumb topping packed with macadamia nuts and coconut flakes they’re a treat that feels both nostalgic and new.

Ingredients (makes 12 muffins)

Dry ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Wet ingredients

• ½ cup melted butter (1 stick)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 2 over ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Crumb topping 

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup crushed macadamia nuts
• ½ cup flaked coconut
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 6 tbsp cold butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your muffin pan with parchment liners.
2. In one bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
3. In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
4. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture to create the muffin batter.
5. Fill the muffin tins about ¾ full.
6. To make the crumb topping, stir together the brown sugar, flour, crushed macadamia nuts, coconut, and cinnamon. Then rub the cold butter into the mixture with clean hands. When the butter is incorporated you should have a crumbly mixture that keeps it shape when pressed. Think about the texture of wet beach sand.
7. Sprinkle the muffins generously with the crumb topping.
8. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the muffins rise and the crumb topping is golden and crispy.
9. Cool slightly before serving with a fresh cup of Kauai Coffee.

Flavor Additions and Swaps

This coffee cake muffin batter is easy to customize. Swap the mashed banana for another tropical fruit like mango, mashed taro or ube (purple yam), or ripened breadfruit for a totally unique take. Add chocolate chips or experiment with tropical spices like cardamom and ginger in place of the cinnamon. You can also swap the sour cream for Greek or nondairy yogurt for a lighter texture.

Coffee Pairings for Coffee Cake Muffins

The right cup of coffee makes these muffins even more irresistible.

• Poipu Estate Espresso Roast: Bold and dark with a buttery mouthfeel. It’s the perfect complement to sweet coffee cake muffins.
• Holiday Blend: Rich aroma with nutty toffee notes that echo the macadamia and coconut streusel topping on the muffins.
• Rooster Alarm: This coffee has natural notes of cocoa and molasses and a satisfying malty finish.
• Kauai Blue Mountain: Slightly sweet with berry notes that will amplify the banana batter.
• Typica: Flavorful and balanced with a pleasant tartness. 

Coffee and Muffins Are Better Together

Bake a batch, brew a pot, and share them with the people and ‘ohana who matter most. Every bite and sip carry a little aloha, and that is what makes this pairing so special. Shop our complete collection of 100% Hawaiian Coffee online now. 

FAQ: Coffee Cake Muffins & Holiday Baking

What makes coffee cake muffins different from regular muffins?

Coffee cake muffins feature a crumb or streusel topping, giving them a crunchy top and the flavor of classic coffee cake in a handheld form.

Can I make coffee cake muffins ahead of time?

Yes! Bake them the night before and cover with a cloth to keep them fresh overnight. Warm briefly before serving.

How do I store coffee cake muffins for holiday gatherings?

Keep them at room temperature for 1-2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Can I freeze coffee cake muffins?

Absolutely. Wrap individually, place in a storage bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

What coffee pairs best with coffee cake muffins?

100% Hawaiian Coffee is an excellent choice. Check out our single estate blends and single-origin varietals for something truly unique!

How do I make my muffins rise higher?

Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh and avoid overmixing the batter. If you are baking at high altitude, try reducing the sugar by a few tablespoons, increasing the sour cream by a few tablespoons, and turning up the oven temperature. 

Can I substitute sour cream in the recipe?

Yes, Greek yogurt works well as a substitute.