Rememberence of Those Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Recipes~Decorating~ Rememberence of Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Many a good day was spent with friends over coffee and cake. Just like the Golden Girls we had our cheesecake moments too. There were stories of ALL kinds.

It all started in Germany, I was born in a little house on the Freudenberg Hills. The war had been over for several years and people were settling in to a time of new growth, and prosperity. As an Army Brat we traveled a lot but, I was never as Happy as I was in that little old house. It was a short bus ride or an adventurous walk to the River Rhine, where we would stroll along the tree lined colonnade amongst the ducks, and swans the smell of spring flowers perfuming the mid day air. We would pause for a late lunch at outdoor cafes and watch as people leisurely sailed their boats down the river. On late afternoons we would enjoy the coffee houses, were we would enjoy coffee and the most sumptuous cakes and pastries. On hot summer days I would enjoy my favorite lemon ice cream. Even today if I think on it I can still taste the tart, sweet flavor.

This little bog is to be dedicated to just that. Coffee, Conversation and Sumptuous cake recipes. So I hope you will all join me, and share your stories of days gone by, and recipes old or new, shared by some one today or passed down from generation to generation. Love to you All, Micki

Friday, March 18, 2011

Oma's Streusel Coffee Cake decorated with Edible Flowers




STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE DECORATED WITH EDIBLE FLOWER 

 

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,186,138166-235207,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
Dough:
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 cup milk, scalded and cooled
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Stir in yeast and allow to sit for 10 minutes.In a small saucepan, scald the milk. Heat milk until tiny bubbles begin to form along the edge, then remove pan from heat and set aside, undisturbed, to cool. Skim off and discard any protein skin which rises to the top or accumulates on the edges of the pan.

Stir yeast to dissolve, and add lukewarm milk (about 100°F). Be sure to allow the milk to cool sufficiently; if it is too warm it will kill the yeast and the batter won't rise).
Add 1 1/2 cups flour and beat until smooth.
Cover bowl with a damp cloth and allow to sit in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk. This will take 1 to 2 hours, (or less on a warm day), depending on room temperature.
In a separate bowl, cream together butter, salt and remaining sugar. Stir in the yeast batter gradually. Add remaining flour and beat until thoroughly mixed.
Butter or spray two 7x11x11-1/2 or 9 in, springform pan well. Spread batter evenly in the two pans. Sprinkle top generously with the crumbly Streusel mixture (see below).
Let rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake at 375°F-400°F, reducing temperature after the first 5 minutes if the top is browning too quickly. Remove from oven when cake tests done (about 18 minutes) and allow to cool.
Variations: Drizzle with confectioners' icing, if desired, or sprinkle with chopped nuts. Streusel may be made with or without cinnamon.
Coffee Cake freezes well. Cool 3-4 hours before freezing.
Yield: 2 Coffee Cakes
Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon (optional)
Combine ingredients. Taste and adjust cinnamon to your liking. If mixing in a food processor, 4 tablespoons whole nuts or ground almond or coconut meal may be added for extra texture.Whole almonds or macadamia nuts make a wonderful topping. Add a drop of complementary flavoring (such as a few drops of almond extract or almond flavored liqueur or amaretto, or walnut liqueur if using walnuts).
Sprinkle Streusel topping over coffee cake before baking.
The picture of the gift basket was a donation from a friend.  She is a wonderful hostess and thoughtful guest.  What a beautiful gift to present to your hostess when invited to a kaffeklatsch or tea. This is just one of many thoughtful ideas.  Please share with us a memorable gift that you have presented to a hostess, or perhaps one that was presented to you.

~Take Heart and Take Care, You may be Entertaining Angels Unaware ~ Love and Hugs, Anne

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