02 Mar
Rich Coffeecake with Sweet Cheese Filling
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes, Yeast Breads | 35 Comments
If you only think about bread when you think about baking with yeast, think again. This cake is all sorts of fantabulous. I had heard rumblings about yeasted coffeecakes before and officially added them to the master baking list, but it took awhile for me to get down to it. I loved the recipe that is in my treasured Baking Illustrated cookbook
04 Feb
Cappuccino Cinnamon Squares
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes | 20 Comments
I made these luscious, caffeine-laden squares for my sister to celebrate her first day at a new job. Last year, the company she was working for was bought and many of the employees laid off, including her. Needless to say, the job market isn’t booming right now, so her having found a position that’s a great fit for her is of course cause to celebrate. Coincidentally, on the day she found out she was laid off last year I made this to-die-for Sour Cream Coffee Cake. It was truly magical. So I guess I use food to console and to celebrate. There’s never a bad reason to turn on the oven for this baking girl!
I wanted to make something I knew my sister would love, something I hadn’t made before, and also something that I could whip up with ingredients I already had in the house. I wasn’t really feeling a trip to the grocery store. I flipped through some cookbooks and found this. It looked like something you would find in Starbucks and this adapted version includes a healthy dose of espresso stirred into the milk. My sister adores coffee, so this turned into a no-brainer.
24 Mar
Blueberry Crumb Cake
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes | 23 Comments
Yes, you are reading correctly – I am back in the TWD saddle! After being the second member of the group back in January of ‘08 I decided last summer to take a break from the weekly baking to focus on some other baking goals I had. But, I have to admit – I have missed Dorie. I am finally ready to tackle the weekly baking again and am looking forward to trying to catch up on all that I have missed (wow, that will be quite the endeavor!). Although the group closed membership late last year, they opened it up for one day last week on St. Patrick’s Day and I jumped at the opportunity to join again. And what a great week to get started again – Blueberry Crumb Cake!
13 Mar
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes | 30 Comments
If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world, above and beyond coffee cake, you’ve come to the right post. This is no Entenmann’s, for sure. I watched Ina Garten make this cake on an episode of Barefoot Contessa well over a year ago. I looked up the recipe online, saved it, and there it sat ever since. I have been dying to make it but the streusel looked so wonderful that I didn’t want to make it and have to omit the cinnamon and walnuts due to my allergies. Now that my food allergies have gone their merry way, I couldn’t wait to bust out my tube pan and whip up this cake. Speaking of tube pans, this was my first time using one, and now I might be addicted. Incidentally, this was also my first time making a coffee cake. I’ve certainly eaten my fair share, but making one was high on my list of things I want to try. I’d still love to try a yeasted coffee cake and see what the significant differences are. If anyone has made one and loved it, please share your recipe!
28 Oct
Buttermilk-Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes | 25 Comments
I have had this crumb cake bookmarked for quite some time; as soon as I saw it sitting in my Google Reader it drew me in. I have developed a great preference for cakes, quick breads, and muffins/scones that use buttermilk – it definitely seems to bring out all of the other flavors and provides a richness that most other ingredients can’t accomplish.
I was trying to pinpoint the smell and flavor for the longest time and couldn’t figure out, and then I realized that it tastes like a donut! I’m not sure what contributes to that flavoring, but it definitely takes on the smell and taste of a donut. It goes without saying then that this is a fabulous cake and the crumb topping makes it absolutely delectable.
09 Jun
New York-Style Crumb Cake
Posted by Michelle as Coffee Cakes | 26 Comments
Entenmann’s has nothing on Cook’s Illustrated! I was watching some recorded episodes of America’s Test Kitchen and saw this incredible crumb cake being made. Crumb cake has been on my “to make” list for some time now, as I just can’t resist the light, fluffy cake topping with that sweet crumb topping. It was perfect timing because I was looking for something to make for our monthly neighborhood “Girls Night”. Although the recipe states that it serves 8-10, since I was bringing it for a crowd, I cut the cake into 16 pieces and placed each of them in a cupcake liner for easy consumption. I thought the presentation was so cute, and the cake was definitely a hit. My mom had a piece the next day and said that these rank in the Top 3 things I have ever made. Now that’s a compliment! I stowed away a couple of pieces for myself before I left, but in all honesty, I probably could have eaten this whole cake myself.
