COFFEE CAKE

 

 On a whole, I do not like cakes.  There are a couple exceptions, I love carrot cake (as long as it doesn't have raisins in it) and I like coffee cake.  Otherwise, I have to be in the mood for some cake and even then I won't eat very much.    This recipe for coffee cake is wonderful!  The cake turns out dense and moist, a must have for me.  I will not waste my time on dry cake.  I think the dryness and the texture are the main reasons why I don't like cake in general.  But this recipe takes care of those issues.  This recipe comes from my prized Betty Crocker® cookbook.  The "official" name of the recipe is: Favorite Coffee Cake, and I use the variation for Streusel-filled Coffee Cake.  My favorite part of coffee cake is the streusel filling and topping, I love it!  So, without further ado, here is the recipe for Betty Crocker®'s Streusel-filled Coffee Cake. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 C. flour

3/4 C. sugar

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 C.shortening

3/4 C. milk

1 egg

Streusel filling and topping:

1/2 C. brown sugar (packed)

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 C. finely chopped nuts

2 tbsp butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

 Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease round layer pan, 9x1 1/2 inches, or square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches.  Blend all ingredients together; beat vigorously for half minute. 

 Spread half the batter in prepared pan. 

Mix the streusel ingredients together.  Sprinkle half the mixture over batter in pan.

 Top with remaining batter, then remaining brown sugar mixture.

 Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. 

~I usually double the recipe and make it in a 9x13 inch pan.  When I do this, I also increase the baking time by about 10 to 15 minutes.

~As I have mentioned previously in this blog, I have gotten used to omitting nuts when baking due to food allergies of whomever might be eating what I have baked.  Honestly, I think this recipe is better off without the nuts, but it is your choice.

~I have yet to try this, but you can substitute diced apples for the nuts in this recipe and I think it would turn out very tasty.  I would suggest 1/2 C. to 1 C. diced apples if you decide to try it.