How many of you still have guests in the house over the holidays? Show of hands, people!
After a while, it gets rough to keep feeding everybody. Sure, it’s nice the first day, but as house guests linger on, keeping up the hosting duties can be a real drag. That’s when it’s nice to make a really quick coffee cake for breakfast. Not for them, you understand. They can have Cheerios. This cake is for you!
I like having a warm, fresh cinnamon-laden treat first thing in the morning. I mean, who doesn’t? That’s why cinnamon rolls are popular. But this is a much simpler option, and all those flavors are still there.
This winter break, we’re having a staycation. Luckily, the D.C. area is full of activities, but these days are pretty exhausting. We wake up, chase the kids, drive them around, chase them some more, and eat at irregular intervals. It’s lots of fun.
I’d be lying if I said I weren’t more than a little jealous of anyone who went anywhere this week. People jet to Florida, or ski resorts, or indoor water parks. We considered all three options before we realized that, once again, our kids are a little too young this year to justify all the expense. If we’re going to shell out thousands of dollars for a few days, shouldn’t they not just be able to remember it, but also be able to do whatever activities are available?
Let’s just say that I can’t picture my youngest, who is a tiny person, being happy at a ski resort. She’d probably just cry a lot, and then I’d start crying too. Nope, a staycation is a much better idea. Plus, that means I can bake a lot and send you even more recipes!
For example, I’ve got fondue coming your way this week along with another video about the perfect fondue dipping plate, which includes these champagne brownies for New Year’s. Stay tuned! But first things first. Coffee cake.
This gets mixed up in about two minutes flat and baked in less than half an hour. The cake itself isn’t very sweet, which is perfect for coffee cake. The cinnamon in the middle and on top gives you all the sweetness you need, and I like to use brown sugar instead of regular in my cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s just a better flavor, and it caramelizes a bit more in the oven.
If you’re dealing with company this week, eat cake. If you’re having a busy staycation, eat cake. If you’re at work, eat lots and lots of cake. That’s about all the advice I have for you. Next time I see you, there will be fondue!
Quick and Easy Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cake
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping and Filling
1 and 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Beat the oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla and milk until combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and brown sugar and sprinkle half the mixture over the batter in the pan. Layer the remaining batter over the first layer and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar over the top. Drizzle the butter evenly over the surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until set and done. Cut into squares and serve!
3.1
http://justaboutbaked.com/quick-and-easy-coffee-cake/
We had no visitors, thank the lord! My mother came after thanksgiving and even entertaining one person can be draining… fun but draining. 😉 sounds like you and the kiddos are having a busy. But fun filled stay-cation – yay to that! And yay for coffee cake!! I looooove me some coffee cake, and yours looks absolutely delish, Mir! The cinnamon and brown sugar looks like perfection. I could get down with this cake- breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert! Cheers, girlfriend! P.s can’t wait for that fondue!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…French Onion & Ricotta Stuffed Baby Potatoes {with walnuts & thyme}
No visitors is pretty awesome. I love company to a point, and then I just stand around cleaning up after everyone. Coffee cake helps!
*Raises hand!* But even if I didn’t, this coffee cake looks like it would be just perfect for me alone – especially after all the cooking I’ve done over the past week! (Not that I don’t love it!) Happy New Year!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Filet Mignon Pasta
It’s a lot of cooking, but it’s fun! Happy new year to you too, Kate!
This coffee cake looks delicious- totally want to try! And anything that involves BOTH champagne brownies and fondue is RIGHT up my alley 🙂 Pinning!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Vegan Gooey Salted-Caramel Pecan Turtle Bars
Stay tuned for the fondue, Medha! I had waaaay too much fun with that!
My sister and her husband came to visit, but they stayed with my parents, so that was a win! We’re on staycation this week too. We don’t have any little people, but we have 4 huge dogs that are complete misfits and require the expense of a dog sitter if we go away. I would rather stay home and make this coffee cake to keep all to myself! I can’t wait for the fondue!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Artichoke Party Dip or Appetizer
That’s a real win, since you see everyone without the mess and extra work! 4 hugs dogs require a lot of care. I’m sure you rock at it!
Mir, hey, as long as you are with family, it doesn’t matter where you are. . I’m still in Dallas. . and the crazy hurricane weather has passed through. . it’s snowing now in Wisconsin so hoping it stays for a while 🙂 I LOVE this coffee cake!!!! Looks perfect!!!!! that cinnamon topping is perfection!!!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Tiramisu
That’s true. Home is where family is! And I’m glad there’s no more imminent hurricane threat. I’ll take snow over hurricanes any day!
This sounds wonderful, and how nice that it is so simple to mkae! Best wishes to you for a terrific 2016!
Adri recently posted…The CoffeeDog Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur Kit Christmas Giveaway is here!
You too, Adri! It’s the simplest recipe!
Love this cake Mir! the cinnamon topping sounds just perfect! Hope you are having a good time with family. 🙂
We’re definitely bonding, Manali! Thanks!
Sounds like you’re having a nice staycation! This cake looks amazing, Mir! I love easy desserts like this. Even though I don’t have family staying over, I would gladly make and eat this ALL myself! 🙂
Me, too. I’d eat it pretty fast!
Mir, this cake looks heavenly! I don’t have company at all, but I probably should make this cake anyway. ;D I’m all about the staycations. For one, I never have money to travel. Two, I hate long car trips and flying in airplanes. And three, I live in Florida, so Disney and Universal Studios are HERE! I hope you are having a sweet time with your little ones.
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Chocolate Snickerdoodles
I don’t like long trips either, and planes smell gross. And why would you have to travel? We have to do Disney at some point, but I’m putting it off!
Love it, perfect for unplanned guests.
Amy recently posted…Cake Madeline (Pasta Maddalena)
Those are the kind of guests I always get too, Amy!
This looks delicious! Coffee cake is such an easy thing to make!
Aria recently posted…Yeast Donuts from Elinor Klivans’ Donuts Cookbook
It depends on the coffee cake, but this one is a cinch! Thanks, Aria!
There is definitely nothing wrong with a staycation. Sometimes they end up being infinitely more relaxing! This coffeecake sounds so good and simple too. And there’s nothing like a slice of coffeecake in the morning with a big mug of tea.
You’re right about that. And I need my chill time with cake, Amanda!
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