Rich Coffee Cake

This was served at my quilt group recently, by my friend Janet Bauer. It is fabulous!!! You won't have one slice left, I assure you. I am not a chocoholic, but the chocolate drizzle just makes it perfect. Fall is in the air and the holidays; this is definitely a holiday worthy coffee cake. Another recipe from the wonderful "Taste of Home" magazine...

1. 1 cup butter, softened


2. 2 cups sugar


3. 2 Eggs


4. 2 cups unbleached flour( I prefer King Arthur or Pillsbury)


5. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


6. 1/2 teaspoon salt


7. 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream


8. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

TOPPING:

1. 1 cup chopped pecans


2. 2 TBLS. sugar


3. 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Chocolate Glaze:

1. 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips


2. 1/4 cup butter, cubed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine sour cream and vanilla; add to creamed mixture alternately with dry ingredients.

Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle 2 TBLS. into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan. For glaze, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter: stir until smooth. Spoon half of the batter over the topping; sprinkle with half of the remaining topping. Drizzle with half of the glaze. Top with remaining batter; sprinkle with the remaining topping.

Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center of the cake, comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack. Warm remaining glaze; drizzle over coffee cake. Serve warm, if desired. Yield: 12 servings

Sunday Morning Biscuits

This is just the best biscuit recipe from my mom, Nancy Aton. We fixed these New Year's Day 2010 and used them for ham sandwiches. They are light, fluffy and just plain delicious. would be wonderful as "Biscuits and Gravy" too!!

2 cups unbleached flour

4 tsp. baking powder ( cut down to 3 1/2 tsps. at high altitude)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 cup(1 stick) slightly softened butter

2/3 cup cream or whole milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in medium bowl. cut in butter,using a pastry fork, until the size of peas. Quickly add cream and stir until just moistened. Gather into ball and turn onto a floured board. Knead lightly about 5 times. Cut biscuits with a 2 inch cutter or smaller if you like.Place on lightly oiled(sprayed) baking sheet. Brush with cream. Bake about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Can freeze these after cutting them out on baking sheet and then transfer to plastic bag. Will need to bake a little longer, about 18 minutes or so. Makes about16 biscuits.

Cherry Slices coffee cake

This is a wonderful recipe for breakfast or coffee with a big group. It makes lots!! Even though it calls for a can of cherry pie filling, blueberry and peach work well too. I got this recipe from a quilting friend, many years ago and have used it lots. Hope you enjoy it!

• 1 cup shortening


• 1 3/4 cups sugar


• 4 Eggs


• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla


• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract


• 3 cups flour


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 16 oz. can of cherry pie filling(can use blueberry or peach, too)

Cream together the shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add the 4 eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Add the vanilla and almond extract. Add the flour, baking powder and salt, Mix thoroughly. Set aside one cup of the dough and spread the rest into a greased 10x15 jelly roll pan. Spread a can of cherry pie filling over the dough to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Drop remaining 1 cup batter by spoonfuls over cherry pie filling. Bake 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees until light golden brown. When cool drizzle with powdered sugar frosting. Use about 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk to make it drizzle over cake. Enjoy!!!