This classic coffee cake recipe is a delightful vintage favorite that brings the cozy aroma of home baking into your kitchen. Originating from mid-20th century American kitchens, this cake was a staple for Sunday mornings or family gatherings, often served with coffee or tea. With its yeasted dough base enriched by milk, shortening, and sugar, it achieves a light yet tender crumb. The subtle sweetness and versatility of this cake make it a timeless comfort treat, adaptable for adding fruits, nuts, or cinnamon toppings. This recipe embodies the simple charm and satisfaction of homemade baking from an era where recipes were lovingly shared on handwritten or typed cards.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk
- 3 tbsp shortening
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pkg dry yeast (about 2¼ tsp )
- 1 egg (reserve a small amount for brushing the top)
- 3 to 3½ cups flour
Instructions
Step 1: Heat and Combine
- Scald the milk until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Mix Base Ingredients
- Add shortening, sugar, and salt to the hot milk. Stir until the shortening melts and the sugar dissolves. Cool until lukewarm.
Step 3: Activate Yeast
- Dissolve yeast in warm water (about 110°F). Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Combine Mixtures
- Add the yeast mixture and beaten egg (reserving a little egg for brushing later) to the milk mixture. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Add Flour
- Gradually stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Step 6: Knead
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Step 7: First Rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
Step 8: Shape and Top
- Punch down dough. Shape into a greased 9×9-inch pan or round pan. Brush the top with reserved egg. Optionally, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or streusel topping.
Step 9: Second Rise
- Let rise again for 20–30 minutes until slightly puffed.
Step 10: Bake
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 11: Serve
- Cool slightly and serve warm with coffee or tea.
Tips
- Reserve a tablespoon or two of beaten egg for brushing the top, as noted on the card, to give a shiny golden crust.
- Add a cinnamon-sugar topping or streusel before baking for extra sweetness and texture.
- Mix in raisins, nuts, or chopped apples to the dough for variation.
- Substitute butter for shortening for richer flavor (texture will be slightly different).
- Warm milk should be scalded then cooled to lukewarm before adding yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
- For stronger yeast rise, allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place.
- If dough is too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until soft but manageable.
- Bake in a greased pan or shape into rounds for individual coffee cakes.
- Drizzle with powdered sugar icing after baking for a sweeter finish.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 130mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 100IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 1.5mg
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