Coffee Cake

It's a family tradition here that my kiddos get to request any cake they want on their birthdays.  In keeping with his mini-adult personality, my oldest has long asked for the same thing -- a classic coffee cake.

Although we don't have a birthday coming up for a while, I figured I'd better have a viable recipe on hand for when the time comes!  

Yield:  one 9x9 in. coffee cake

Recipe (Brands Tested):

Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (Harina Buena y Barata Harina de trigo fortificada para todo uso Especial Para Panadería y Pastelería)
• 1 cup minus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar (Supermaxi brand)
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt (Cris-Sal Sal Marina Kosher)
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (La Reposterita/Levapan Polvo para Hornear)
• 1/4 cup unnsalted butter, cubed (Vita Mantequilla Sin Sal)
• 1 large egg, beaten (Supermaxi brand - grande)
• 1 cup milk (La Lechera Leche Semi-Descremada)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (La Reposteria Saborizante Sabor a Vainilla)

Topping:

• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon (McCormick Canela)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (San Carlos Azúcar Morena)

Glaze:

• 1 tbsp. water
• 6 tbsp. powdered sugar (San Carlos Azúcar Impalpable Para Repostería)

Executive chef back on the job

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).  Prepare a 9x9 inch baking pan by spraying with oil.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

Using a pastry blender, cut the cubed butter into the flour until coarse crumbs form.

Add the egg, milk, and vanilla.  Using a rubber spatula, mix until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar to form the topping.

Sprinkle it over the top of the batter and feel free to use a knife to trace lines into the batter to form a pattern.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

While the cake is cooling, make the glaze by whisking the water and powdered sugar together in a small bowl.  Drizzle atop the cake before slicing and serving (which I do directly from the baking pan -- efficient, since it works for storage too!)

This cake retains decent freshness for a few days, but it does dry out little by little with each passing day.  As its name suggests, it goes well with coffee!

Enjoy!