Sunday, December 23, 2012

Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake






From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...On the off chance that your holiday menu is not yet set in stone, and you are still looking for a coffee cake to start the day, I'd like to recommend this sinfully rich concoction that comes from the recipe developers at Martha Stewart Living. This cake is as sweet as it is rich, so if you have a more European sensibility and prefer barely sweet treats, you might want to bypass this recipe. IT IS SWEET. The cake is not difficult to make if you divide it construction into workable segments. The only problem you might have in making it, is deciding when it is actually done. As is the case with many filled cakes, a toothpick or cake tester will probably fail you miserably. You'll get crumbs even when the cake is done. I've found that a thump in the center of the cake is a better predictor of doneness than a toothpick. Time-wise, I've found 60 minutes works well for me and my oven. Please keep in mind that ovens are calibrated differently and what works for me may not work for you. I'd also like to recommend lining the the bottom of the tube pan with parchment paper. This cake wants to stick and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to prevent that from happening. If your pan is well-greased, lined and floured, you won't have any problems when you unmold it, especially if you swear. I hope those of you who really enjoy sweet things will give this recipe a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Here's how the cake is made.

Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

Streusel Topping
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1-1/2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
Streusel Filling
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
Cake
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
Glaze
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9-inch tube pan with removable bottom with butter or coat with a nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
2) To make streusel topping: Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or rub in with your fingers until small to medium clumps form. Mix in 1/2 cup pecans. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3) To make streusel filling: Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Set aside.
4) To make cake: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Continue to beat until well combined. Spoon half of batter into pan. Sprinkle streusel filling mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter, and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Sprinkle streusel topping mixture evenly over batter.
Bake until cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Remove cake from pan, and transfer to parchment.
4) To make glaze: Mix together confectioners' sugar and milk. Drizzle over cake, and let drip down sides. Let set for 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Cook's Note: Coffee cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.







One Year Ago Today: Muhammara














Two Years Ago Today: Lemon-Mint Snap Peas with Lima Beans or Edamame















Three Years Ago Today: Savory Mushroom Puff

10 comments :

Katarina said...

Mary, this is a beautiful cake and I bet it's delicious! I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

It does sound like a delicious way to start Christmas morning Mary. Have a blessed Christmas holiday. Enjoy every moment.

Alessandra said...

Ciao Mary,

lovely recipe, as always!

I would like to wish you a Merry Xmas, I hope that you will have a lovely time with your loved ones.

Ciao
Alessandra

Priya Suresh said...

Rich looking beautiful cake.very catchy.

Joanne said...

This would make such a lovely Christmas morning breakfast treat!

Claudia said...

This would wake everyone up in a most aromatic and delicious way! I love your coffee cakes and I never think to bake them. They are their own wonderful food group! And love the pecans. Merry Christmas, Mary to you and yours.

June said...

Funny how the combination of parchment and swearing seem to work every time! This looks delicious Mary. Thank you for another great inspiration and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas full of Love, Peace and Health.
Kisses
Rita

JG said...

Looks yummy, Mary, especially with the icing dripping down. Merry Christmas to you & your family!
~Judy

David said...

Mary, I could use a hunk of that pecan streusel coffee cake for breakfast tomorrow morning! We won't have a 'real' breakfast as we'll be getting ready for a big Christmas Eve Dinner. Merry Christmas! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Printfriendly