With the cooler fall weather rolling in I've been thinking about baking and cooking up some seasonal meals. A huge batch of cabbage rolls are probably going to be a big project next weekend. I'm also going to make Kitty's favourite cake. When she was in grade two, her school did a fundraiser and asked parents to contribute their child's favourite recipe. The result was an adorable cookbook filled with a diversity of tried and true recipes. Oh, how I wish I still had it.
Kitty's request then (and at least a couple of times each year that's followed ) was for her Auntie Laurie's Sour Cream Coffee Cake. The recipe was given to me by my best friend almost thirty-five (!) years ago and has never once failed. I usually make mine in a springform pan but have done it in bundt, loaf and rectangular pans, as well as muffin tins. The only difference aside from appearance is the baking time which can be easily judged by using a toothpick to test centre doneness. It's easy, adaptable, deliciously moist, and disappears fast. When I had eight people at home I'd double the recipe because one was never enough. Now if I make it for myself I'll slice and wrap it into portions and freeze. It thaws well on the counter or in the microwave. A few years ago I searched Pinterest to find the same recipe that's permanently lodged inside my head to share with my kids and this Kraft My Food & Family Moist "Sour Cream Coffee Cake" is it.
After having a similar coffee cake from Starbucks years ago, I experimented with layering on small dollops of 1/2 cup of additional sour cream on top of the first layer of batter, then sprinkling half the streusel and the next layer of batter as directed. It's certainly not necessary but it gives little extra pops of unexpected creaminess that go well with the crunchiness of the nuts. It's strictly a personal preference but I double the cinnamon, brown sugar and nuts because we REALLY like the struesel in the middle. And if we're having cake we're having good cake!
Is there anything more comforting than the smell of soup simmering away on the stove when fall and winter come around? I've been on the lookout for new recipes to incorporate healthier things into my diet and soups are a bomb way to do that - this one from Ancient Nutrition showed up in my Instagram feed and I really want to try it. Unless I can come up with a believable name that is not pumpkin soup it will be a singles soup for one. Mancub and Kitty would be horrified. I think it looks delicious and Belle would probably try it out. Right off the bat, because you can never have too much garlic, it's going to be doubled. A good way to stay single, oui?
