December 24th ~ Christmas Coffee Cake

Merry Christmas -- it's almost here.  I've been baking up a storm.  I don't know how many batches of cut-outs I've done.  Funny, but they keep disappearing...

I'm gearing up for Christmas morning, and making one of our family favorites: Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake.  The recipe originally came from a cookbook compiled by a "Mom's Club" that my mom attended when my sister and I were little tikes.  Our entire family loves it.  It can be made ahead, and frozen, and the recipe can also be doubled for a 9 x 13 pan.  Now, let's get to it!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

1-1/2 c. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. margarine

1 egg

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375F.  Grease 8" square pan (or round cake pan).

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.  Using pastry blender or knives, cut in margarine until mixture is like coarse cornmeal.  Blend in well-beaten egg, milk, and vanilla.  Stir just enough to mix well.  "Sprinkle" streusel topping mixture (below) evenly on top.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, until middle is set.

Topping

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

2 T. flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 T. melted margarine, slightly cooled

Mix dry ingredients.  Add melted margarine.  Mix well.  {I use a fork to flake off small pieces of this gooey mixture.}

Wish I had a picture to show you, but it's never around long enough at our house for picture-taking!  Enjoy, and Merry Christmas to you!