Baking Classics
The Technique
Pumpkin-Pecan Crunch Coffee Cake
Holiday baking wouldn’t be complete without a little pumpkin pie spice. The warm scent generally used for pie making comes in handy for a variety of festive treats. If you find yourself in a bind, the blend can be whipped up quickly with items you may already have stashed away in your cupboard. Simply combine 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg & 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice in a bowl & store any remaining in a small jar. Learn how to prepare this one pan baked good that can step in for a variety of entertaining & gift needs.
Pumpkin-Pecan Crunch Coffee Cake
makes 10 servings
Pumpkin Spice Streusel
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp table salt
1 cup pumpkin puree
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the Pumpkin Spice Streusel as directed. Set aside. Grease & flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Cream the butter & the sugar with a stand mixer. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs & the vanilla blending just until the yolk disappears. Whisk together the flour, the pumpkin pie spice, the baking powder, the soda & the salt in a bowl. Add to the butter mixture alternately with the pumpkin puree, beginning & ending with the flour mixture. Spoon the batter evenly into the pan spreading to the edges. Drop the pan on the counter top about an inch from the surface 2 to 3 times to settle the air bubbles for even baking. Sprinkle the streusel over the batter & gently press into the surface. Bake 1 hour or until a wooden pick tests clean. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Pumpkin Spice Streusel
makes 1 3/4 cups
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Stir together all of the ingredients in a small bowl until combined & crumbly. Use as directed.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Prepare Pumpkin-Pecan Crunch Coffee Cake
Coffee cake is an essential one pan baked good perfect for serving family & guests during the holiday season as it can be prepared ahead & served throughout the day from breakfast to a late night nibble. Pumpkin-Pecan Crunch Coffee Cake offers a crumbly layer of goodness baked right over the cake forming a praline-like candy making it difficult to resist a slice right away. Pumpkin pie spice provides that seasonal flavor we can’t seem to get enough of while the fruit lends bright, natural color to the cake once baked. Prepare several of them as they make wonderful gifts for friends & neighbors alike.
The Technique
Consider coffee cake as a basic fundamental. Many utilize the creaming process so a stand mixer is ideal as it can be used to prepare one. A few additional tools & pieces of equipment will be necessary in order to complete the task. Assess the items ahead of time. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
The Ingredients
One of the most important factors when preparing cakes is to be certain ingredients are the proper temperature before beginning the recipe & that they are measured properly whether they will be used for the streusel or the cake batter.
The Butter
Softened butter is called for often in recipe applications. The key is to begin the mixing process whether for cakes or other baked items with butter that is the proper consistency. It shouldn’t be too firm nor too soft. You should be able to create a rudimentary butter curl with a spoon indicating that it is indeed ready to use.
The Brown Sugar
It’s important that brown sugar is measured properly for use in recipe applications. Pack brown sugar in measuring cups. The back of a smaller cup pressed tightly over the surface will help get the job done quickly. Use a butter knife to swipe over the surface for a level, even measurement.
No. 2
The Pumpkin Spice Streusel
This coffee cake offers a crumbly topping that adds such decadent flavor & texture to an otherwise simple slice. The procedure is quick but be certain to prepare it first so it will be ready to top the batter for a quick deposit into the oven. Combine the ingredients for the streusel in a small bowl.
2a
Blend the mixture until the flour is completely dispersed throughout.
2b
Once blended in the bowl, press small amounts of the mixture in your hand to create the cobble-like texture to the streusel.
No. 3
The Blending
Measure the ingredients for the cake batter ahead of time so they are ready to add to the other ingredients during the blending process in a timely manner. Whisk together the flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, the salt & the pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl & portion the pumpkin puree that will be needed according to the recipe instructions provided.
3a
The creaming process acts to aerate the butter & the sugar so that the remaining ingredients can be added to the mixture. Once the blending begins, the mixture will appear thick, heavy & dark in the work bowl.
3b
Once the creaming process is complete, the mixture becomes lighter in color & in texture. You may even notice a whipped consistency.
3c
Once the eggs & the vanilla have been added & blended, the mixture will loosen. If the batter is smooth in some areas but looks like it is breaking in other areas, the batter will have an even consistency once the dry ingredients & the pumpkin puree are added & mixed.
3d
Add the dry ingredients alternately with the pumpkin puree. Blend on Low speed just until a smooth, even consistency has been reached. Stop the mixer & remove the flat beater attachment. Scrape down the bowl sides & lift the batter from the bottom of the work bowl using a rubber spatula to be certain the batter has been well mixed & no unincorporated flour is still remaining before portioning into the prepared pan.
No. 4
The Batter & The Portioning
Be certain the loaf pan is greased well & dusted with flour. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
4a
Spread the batter to the edges in an even layer using the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula. Drop the pan on the countertop about an inch from the surface several times to settle the leavening for an even rise.
4b
Sprinkle the streusel over the top of the cake batter.
4c
Gently press the streusel into the cake batter so that it slightly bakes into the cake over the top. Bake the cake as directed according to the recipe instructions.
No. 5
The Baking
Once the cake has been removed from the oven, allow it to stand in the pan 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into slices using a serrated knife.
The Tune
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” Billie Holiday
httpa://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-oGDvLy7Ao
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Be sweet.
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