Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Projects.  Everyone wanted to know what in the world I was going to do without a kitchen and the answer is simple - projects.  Until my kitchen remodel is complete and I have a functional space to cook again, I'm occupying my time by crossing all sorts of tasks off of my to-do list.  This week I pressure washed the front porch and sidewalk, sanded and stained the porch swing, transplanted some shrubs, planted some flowers and vegetables and cleared out my email inbox. 😂Intentional procrastination is what I'm calling it.  Purposely not doing something in anticipation of having extra time in the future in which to complete the task.  😅 (I'm pretty sure that's not really a thing but oh well. 🤷🏻‍♀️)

As it turns out, I may have "intentionally procrastinated" way more projects than I'll actually be able to finish in the amount of time that it takes to complete my kitchen renovation.  😬 Do you think it's unrealistic to have all of my Christmas shopping done, my closets completely cleaned out and reorganized, make nine holiday t-shirts and get my yard horticulture digest worthy in the next 3 weeks?  🤣

The truth is that as much as I love to bake - I'm kind of enjoying this time that I have to work on other things.  I think it's probably good for me to take a break from baking for a little while and explore some of my other hobbies - even if it IS a forced break.  I forgot how therapeutic it was to take long morning walks past the cows and horses while listening to my favorite tunes.  🐮🐴

News of our kitchen remodel evokes a similar response in most people.  The first question everyone wants to know is always "What are you going to DO?" which inevitably is followed up with "What are you going to EAT?"  😅 Now that you know what I'm DOING during our remodel phase, I guess I should let you in on what we're EATING.  

We've actually been able to use our oven, stovetop and microwave throughout this first week of reno.  Not having countertops or water presents a challenge but we've managed to fix some pretty great meals in our makeshift kitchen this week.  We had shrimp and steak on the grill, tacos and even made fried eggs for breakfast.  We have definitely NOT been deprived of yummy food.  

I also made a small stockpile of goodies and tucked them away in my freezer for just this occasion.  I had actually forgotten that I had made this Cinnamon Coffee Cake so when I ran across it in the freezer this week, it was like finding unexpected cash in my jeans.  💵 I probably shouldn't mention that I'd just made this cake 2 weeks ago and yet somehow, I had completely forgotten about it.  🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyhoo... I took it out of the freezer, defrosted it overnight and then shared it with the remodeling crew this week. 

Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Filling and Streusel
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
4 Tablespoons butter, melted

Cake
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
12 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and salt for streusel.  Reserve 1/4 cup.  

Stir 1/4 c. flour into remaining brown sugar mixture.  

Stir in melted butter until mixture forms clumps.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for cake.

Stir in milk, melted butter, egg, yolk and vanilla. 

Pour 2 1/4 cups batter into a greased 8" square pan. 

Sprinkle reserved filling mixture over batter.  

Dollop remaining batter evenly over top.  Spread to edges with spatula.  

Crumble streusel over batter.  

Bake 45-50 minutes at 350.

Let cool in pan 30 minutes.  Remove from pan. 

Cut into squares and serve warm. 

This breakfast cake reminds me of one that my grandmother used to make.  I never got her coffee cake recipe but I feel like the taste and texture of this cake very closely resembles what she used to feed me as a child.  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Ciao!

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