coffeecakecover

Favorite Family Coffee Cake

This is my all-purpose coffee cake that the family loves. I can vary the filling and shape to create a different cake each time. The basic procedures are the same for whatever filling you choose.

Dough

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) instant yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

Fruit Filling

  • 1 ½ cups peeled and chopped apricots, peaches; apples, pineapple; or blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Almond Filling

  • 2/3 cup almond paste
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup finely ground almonds

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 1 package (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg

Glaze 

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

For the dough:

Combine all of the dough ingredients in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Switch to the dough hook and knead until a soft, smooth dough forms, about 5 minutes. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s puffy (though not necessarily doubled in bulk).

For the fruit filling:

In a medium saucepan combine fruit and water. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer,  covered, about 5 minutes or until the fruit is tender. Combine the 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl; stir into fruit. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more; set filling aside.

For the almond filling:

Beat the almond paste, butter, sugar and salt until creamy with an electric mixer. Add the egg and extract and beat until well incorporated. Mix in the flour and almonds. Set aside.

For the cheese filling:

Beat all of the ingredients together in an electric mixer until smooth. Chill till ready to use.

To shape the dough:

Cover two rimmed baking pans with parchment paper.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide it in half. Roll each half into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle.

Spread half of the filling on each rolled dough, leaving a half-inch border all around the dough.Starting with the long side, roll up jelly roll style. Seal the ends and the long seam. Place the roll, seam side down on the prepared pan, and shape into a horseshoe. Repeat with the second dough. Cut slits with kitchen scissors through the top of the dough at two-inch intervals.

This dough can also be shaped into a wreath, a braid or a long log.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

Bake in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes until golden, switching the pans halfway through the baking time. Cool cakes on a wire rack.

Combine glaze ingredients, divide in half and drizzle over the cooled cakes. Decorate with toasted almonds, if desired.

One cake can be frozen unglazed until needed.

Wreath Shape
Wreath Shape
Braid Shape

Braid Shape

Braid Shape

Log Shape


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