Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Sunday Morning Treat

Winter weather has definitely arrived here in Iowa - it has been a gloomy and cold for several days....but then yesterday the below zero temperatures, 50-60 mph gusts of wind, and snow arrived...and along with it, all the typical closures (roads, activities, churches, and businesses). Growing up and living in Iowa, I expect this every year - but it doesn't make it any easier - I love to look outside and admire the snow....but having to walk the dog and clear snow with the terrible cold and wind is almost annoying. This morning greeted us with a temperature of 1 degree and a wind chill WAY below zero...but at least the sun is finally shining!

I decided it was the perfect morning to do a little baking, making my "go-to" coffee cake recipe. Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices, so this recipe is for a Cinnamon Coffee Cake. My time in the kitchen did a wonderful job of warming up our home (not to mention it smells amazing!).


















Cinnamon Coffee Cake

3 cups plus 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
6 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted and cooled

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Grease and flour a 13" x 9" baking pan (my personal choice is a 9" x 9" round pan, but it is so full it almost bakes over the sides).
  • Mix 3 cups flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in the margarine until tiny pebbles form or mixture resembles cornmeal. Blend in eggs, vanilla, and milk. Stir just enough to thoroughly combine. Pour into prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Mix brown sugar, remaining flour, cinnamon, and melted margarine. Sprinkle topping over batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes - until a toothpick inserted in the center removes cleanly. When cool, drizzle with your favorite icing, if desired. Enjoy with your favorite hot beverage!

A fun note: My husband and I typically don't exchange Christmas gifts - we normally just purchase a couple things we need/want for our home....this year, a new Dyson vacuum and Keurig Platinum Brewer. My husband is a HUGE coffee drinker - the bolder coffee the better....I am more of a hot tea drinker, so this was a good compromise. I am quite impressed with how convenient this brewing system is...and how quick and easy! I have been enjoying an assortment of teas and several coffees (which is a treat, as I can have a lighter roast for a change). We already have quite an arsenal of K-cups...including several refreshing iced teas, which I have been sampling. This morning with my coffee cake, I enjoy a nice cup of Vanilla Carmel Cream coffee - yummy!

I just might be ready to go out and tackle snow removal and dog walking duties...and I am positive when I get back inside I will be ready for my cozy stitching nest...

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for the coffee cake recipe. I even have all the ingredients! While we don't have the frigid temperatures that you are having in Iowa here in Michigan (yet) it would be nice to warm up the house with a little baking.

    My husband and I do the same thing about our Christmas and anniversary gifts since they are both in December. Less stressful for both of us. Especially for him. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've yet to see much snow here yet but there's been freezing rain here all day. I think I'd rather have the snow, lol!
    I purchased a Keurig last winter and love it. I love the variety and the convenience.
    Thanks for the recipe. It looks scrumptious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Enjoy your coffee cake! It looks positively yummy! Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Cinnamon Coffee Cake sounds so good and it looks so good. I'm going have to make this as soon as I get a bag of Brown Sugar. Oh this looks so good.

    I too have a Blog and here is my Blog:

    http://lindakscreativityworks.blogspot.com

    I would love for you to be one of my followers. I am a follower of yours.

    I love your Blog...I love your photos that you take too.

    Take care & Happy Stitching
    Hugs :) from Stormy Wintery Northern Indiana
    Linda K, Railroad

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks amazing! Thanks for the recipe. Now... where do I get me some of that vanilla coffee?? x

    ReplyDelete
  6. can't wait to try your coffee cake recipe - looks yummy and I agree - can't have too much cinnamon ! I think my husband and I are about at that point with giving christmas gifts - just get some we really need for the house and let that be it - of course that doesn't include all the Merry Christmas to me! needlework related gifts for moi' that he doesn't even know about. Hey - Santa said I could !!!! Enjoy the season - Melody

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yum - your cake (and the coffee) looks (sounds) delicious!

    Your blocks look pretty good - I don't think you look like a beginner (like I do)!

    So in your last post you said you didn't have a tree and when you talked about it, it sounded like you haven't had one for more than this year...hope the Christmas spirit gets you soon, if you want it to - that is! :0)

    ReplyDelete