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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Quick Coffee Cake - Bittman Style

I admit it, I am a Bittman fan. His book "How to Cook Everything" is my go to book when I want to cook something. At first I was a little skeptical - I have made a few losers but by and large this book is great. Mark Bittman writes for both the novice cook and the pro. I love that he often gives alternatives and add ins to his recipes.

Today I wanted coffee cake -some days you just want coffee cake!


Ellie and Joe wanted some of the bloggy picture love - tired of baby sister always showing up on the blog. I think they approve of the afterschool snack!

I think that it was really good but I wish I had topped it with the caramel coffee sauce that he suggests so I am adding that to the bottom. If you try it let me know how wonderful the caramel was OK?


Quick Coffee Cake
8 TBS cold butter, plus butter for the pan
2 cups plus 3 TBS of all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 Tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9" square pan with butter. Combine the 3 TBS of flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon, and 3 TBS of cold butter with the nuts; mix it with your fingers until it just comes together. This is the streusel mixture - save it for later.
  2. Combine the remaining flour, the baking powder, salt, remaining sugar, cinnamon, and butter (cut into bits), in a bowl - you can use an electric mixer for this, on low speed). Or mix well with a fork until all of the flour is coated with some butter.
  3. Still on low speed, beat the egg into the batter, then the milk until blended. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle over it about half the streusel mixture. Add the remaining batter, then the remaining streusel. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before cutting. Best served warm, but not bad a day or tow later, reheated.
Caramel Coffee Sauce

2 cups sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee
1/2 cup cream

  1. Combine the sugar and salt with the coffee and cream in a broad saucepan or deep skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves, without stirring, but swirling the pan gently, 3-5 minutes. 
  2. The mixture will bubble and gradually darken; cook until it's caramel colored and the temperature measures 245 degrees F, about 15 minutes. 
  3. Drizzle/pour over coffee cake.
I am linking this up to the Hearth and Soul Hop - so many great posts - you just have to check it out.
H‘nSFCC



Other places I am linking this too:
Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday 
Christy @ Fudge Ripple's Tuesday Night Supper Club 
I am a little late but I also linked this to Chaya's My Sweet and Savory's My Meatless Monday!

    20 comments:

    1. Hi Christi bo bisty! Well, you know how much I love marky mark bittman! I also love it that when you crave something, you are gonna make it yourself and it is gonna be awesome! I adore crumble top coffee cakes, but one with a caramel coffee sauce is certain to be divine! Thanks as always for hosting and posting on the hearth and soul hop, and I do hop you link up a bittman recipe to my new monthly tackling bittman hop on the first thursday of every month! Hugs to ya! Alex@amoderatelife

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    2. Oooh, that caramel coffee sauce alone sounds good enough to drink! The coffee cake sounds delicious, too though...and if those smiles are two stamps of approval, I don't know what is!

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    3. I'm guessing that caramel coffee sauce is incredible. I certainly sounds that way!

      I love coffee cake and have been craving it for some time as well. It reminds me of my childhood because my mom used to make them often when I was growing up.

      Thanks for sharing and have a great Wednesday!

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    4. The thought of that caramel coffee sauce over the coffee cake is making my mouth water. The kids seem to be enjoying it too! I had never heard of Mark Bittman until this blog hop. Now that people have been posting some of his recipes I'm going to have to check out his book. Looks like it would be food that my family would actually eat.

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    5. Ilove coffee flavours. That caramel coffee sauce sounds delicious. I sometimes make sponge cake in a mug. The sauce would pour over and make it a real treat!

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    6. YUM! I simply adore coffee cake, and I really love the caramel coffee sauce! I'll have to make this soon!

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    7. Alex - I will so be there for the Bittman round up!

      Heather - I agree, the sauce is what puts this over the top, I will never skip it again!

      Julie - my mom made coffee cake too - I think of it as a comfort food of sorts!

      Penny - I totally think Bittman is family friendly - his recipes are simple and yet delicious and you believe they are actual dishes people eat not just put together for a cookbook imho!

      H- I am sure the sauce would be delicious over a sponge cake!

      Erin - coffee cake is such a lovely treat - do make some soon!

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    8. I enjoy a good coffee cake. And I totally agreee that sometimes you just have to have it. I really should make this. The sauce sounds delicious too! I doubt I ever would have thought to put caramel and coffee together. :)
      The strawberry scones will be posted at the beginning of next week!

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    9. Stacia, I wouldn't have thought to put the coffee and caramel together either but I trust Bittman! Looking forward to the strawberry scone!

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    10. Oh how I love coffee cake! I'm not that familiar with Mark Bittman but I keep seeing his recipes so I really must give them a try! As for that sauce, wow, it sounds amazing. I'm bookmarking this one, Christy, thanks for sharing it!! Cute photos by the way :)

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    11. Christi I like Mark Bittman's recipe.They are fool proof. Easy to make. Quick coffee cake looks delicious. Sure Caramel coffee sauce will be awesome. Thanks for visting my blog.

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    12. christy--i would eat this for dinner too...as a matter of fact i might. after seeing all your recipes..i think i need to get the bittman book for myself! thank you for linking this great recipe up to tuesday night supper club!

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    13. Swathi - I agree - his recipes are foolproof! Thanks for stopping by!

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    14. After seeing this I want coffee cake too.

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    15. I love coffee cake too! But, being not a coffee fan at all, I would probably not do the caramel sauce...but I love caramel...wonder if I could somehow eliminate the coffee part? Anyway, bookmarked this one! Thanks for sharing at Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday and just for the record, my Bittman cookbook is on the way - between you and Alex @ a moderate life, you have talked me into it :)

      Dr. Laura

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    16. Dr. Laura - just use a whole cup of cream instead of the coffee!

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    17. Who cares if you are a bit late when you have coffee caramel sauce. I am not sure, I will get to it today, but I am going to try.

      Today is grading papers, day and that leaves little time but I want to try that sauce, badly.

      If I do get to it, I will let you know. Thanks for linking it to MMM.

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