Healthy Mediterranean Cooking at Home

Category Archives: Coffee Cake

 

 

Make this special breakfast for Mother’s Day.

DOUGH
1 cup lukewarm water
3 cups bread Flour
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup potato flour

FILLING
1/2 cup orange marmalade
8 oz package of cream cheese, at room temperature

ICING
1 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
3-4 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Combine all the dough ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix with the paddle attachment until the dough forms a ball around the beater. Switch to the dough hook.

Knead for 10 minutes at second speed, and the dough should barely clean the sides of the bowl, perhaps sticking a bit at the bottom. In a bread machine (or by hand), it should form a smooth ball.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise, at room temperature, until it’s nearly doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Combine the marmalade and cream cheese and set aside.

Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured work surface, and roll it into a 16″ x 12″ rectangle.

Spread filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving one inch on a long side free of marmalade.

Roll the dough into a log the long way, rolling towards the bare edge. When the log is completely rolled, pinch the long seam closed as best you can.

Using a serrated knife, slice the log into 12 slices.
Space the rolls evenly in the prepared pan.

Cover the pan, and let the rolls rise until they reach the top of the pan, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the rolls until they’re brown around the edges and beginning to turn golden brown across the center, about 30 minutes. Let the rolls cool to room temperature in the baking pan.

Combine the sugar, orange extract, and enough cream to make a spreadable icing. When the rolls are cool, spread the icing over all the rolls and let dry before serving.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Servings:9

Ingredients

Cake:
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
⅔ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup whole milk, room temperature

Spiced Pineapple:
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks {fresh, frozen, and defrosted or canned packed in water} drained well and chopped into small pieces
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons brown sugar
½ ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the parchment to run up the sides and slightly over the pan. Grease with cooking spray or butter and set aside.

CAKE: In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add half of the flour mixture into the mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add milk and mix together. Add the remaining flour mixture and continue to mix until there are no longer any dry streaks of flour. The batter will be thick.

PINEAPPLE: Toss pineapple in sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

TOPPING: Whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using two forks cut cold butter into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Set aside.

ASSEMBLY: Spread the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the pineapple mixture (including any juices) on top. Add crumb topping all over.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes before unmolding from pan. Dust with sifted powdered sugar before slicing and serving.


Ingredients

Dough
5 cups Unbleached Bread Flour or All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon instant yeast
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 large eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 2 ounces) melted butter

For the filling
1/2 cup (213 grams) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup almond butter at room temperature

Directions

For the dough
Combine all of the dough ingredients, and mix and knead them—by hand, electric mixer, or bread machine¬—until you’ve made a smooth, somewhat sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and set it aside to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours; it should have expanded somewhat, but won’t be wildly puffy.

For the filling
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and almond butter.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into an 18″ by 15”. Spread the filling evenly over the dough leaving a 1/4 inch border around the edge. Starting at the shorter side, begin rolling the dough away from you. Moisten the far edge with a little water and seal. You should have a log that looks like a pinwheel on the sides. Cut the log into 12 (2-inch) rolls.

Butter the inside of a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish. Place the rolls in the pan and allow them to double in size, for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake the rolls for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Allow cooling slightly while preparing the glaze.

Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
Combine and drizzle over the pumpkin rolls.

 

 


Christmas Morning Coffee Cake

Almond Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Dough

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 packages (1/4 ounce) or 4 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces almond paste

Glaze

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

To Make the Dough:

Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar in the electric mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the water and eggs and beat until well combined.

Mix in the flour until the dough comes to a ball or comes away from the sides of the mixer bowl.

Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for about 5 minutes or until you’ve made a soft, smooth dough.

Remove the dough to a floured surface. Grease the bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s puffy (though not necessarily doubled in bulk).

To Make the Filling:

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese and the almond paste together until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

Assembly:

Cover a large baking pan with parchment paper. I use a pizza pan.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll into a large rectangle, about 20 x 14 inches.

Spread the filling on the dough, leaving a half-inch border all around the dough.

Roll the dough up from the long side (jelly roll style). Seal the edge tightly. Form the roll into a circle and pinch the ends together to form a ring.

Place the cake on the prepared pan. Using kitchen scissors, cut two-thirds through the dough from the outer rim of the circle at 1 inch intervals.

Allow the ring to rise, covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel for 1 hour until almost doubled in size.

Baking:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven.

Bake the ring for 35 to 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Wrap well and freeze until the day before Christmas. Defrost the cake at room temperature overnight.

For Christmas Morning

To make the glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to make a frosting that can be poured over the cake. Sprinkle with sliced almonds, if desired. Allow the glaze to set before serving.


Almond Cream Cheese Coffee Cakes

Makes 2 cakes

Dough

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 cup milk at room temperature
2 eggs at room temperature
4 cups bread or all-purpose flour

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces almond paste, broken into small pieces

Glaze

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
¼ cup toasted slivered almonds

To Make the Dough:

Mix all the dough ingredients in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until the dough comes to a ball or comes away from the sides of the mixer bowl.

Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 10 minutes or until the dough is soft and smooth.

Remove the dough to a floured surface. Grease the bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for 1 hour, or until it’s puffy (though not necessarily doubled in bulk).

To Make the Filling:

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese and the almond paste together until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

Assembly:

Cover two large baking pans with parchment paper.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide in half.
Rol one half into a large rectangle, about 12 x 140inches.

Spread half of the filling on the dough, leaving a half-inch border all around the dough.

Fold the dough into thirds like a letter from the long side. Seal the ends tightly. Form the roll into a horseshoe and pinch the ends together.

Place the dough on the prepared pan. Using kitchen scissors, cut two-thirds through the dough from the outer rim of the circle at 1-inch intervals.


Repeat with the remaining ingredients to form another cake.

Allow the cakes to rise, covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel for 1 hour until almost doubled in size.

Baking

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Bake the cakes for 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Switch pans after 15 minutes to alternate on the oven racks.

Remove the cake from the oven and slide with the parchment paper to cool on a wire rack.

To make the glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to make a thin frosting. Sprinkle with sliced almonds and allow the glaze to set before serving.


Blueberry Loaves

Makes two loaves that are good for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

1 cup soft unsalted butter
1 cup of sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 small to medium very ripe banana, mashed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Optional Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans with cooking spray and line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper cut to fit.

Combine the berries with the ¼ cup flour and set aside. In a separate bowl combine the 3 cups flour, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl combine the yogurt, banana, milk and lemon juice

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the yogurt mixture. Add the flour to the egg mixture mixing just until combined. Fold in the blueberries.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pans dividing the mixture in half. I weigh the baking pans as I add the batter to each pan so that they are equal.

Bake for about 1 hour, or until a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool 15 minutes, then remove the loaves from pan and cool on a rack.

For the glaze:
Stir the sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Drizzle over the Blueberry Loaves.


Almond Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Dough

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 packages (1/4 ounce) or 4 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces almond paste

Glaze

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

To Make the Dough:

Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar in the electric mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the water and eggs and beat until well combined.

Mix in the flour until the dough comes to a ball or comes away from the sides of the mixer bowl.

Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for about 5 minutes or until you’ve made a soft, smooth dough.

Remove the dough to a floured surface. Grease the bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s puffy (though not necessarily doubled in bulk).

To Make the Filling:

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese and the almond paste together until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

Assembly:

Cover a large baking pan with parchment paper. I use a pizza pan.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll into a large rectangle, about 20 x 14 inches.

Spread the filling on the dough, leaving a half-inch border all around the dough.

Roll the dough up from the long side (jelly-roll style). Seal the edge tightly. Form the roll into a circle and pinch the ends together to form a ring.

Place the cake on the prepared pan. Using kitchen scissors, cut two-thirds through the dough from the outer rim of the circle at 1-inch intervals.

Allow the ring to rise, covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel for 1 hour until almost doubled in size.

Baking:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven.

Bake the ring for 35 to 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Wrap well and freeze until the day before Christmas. Defrost the cake at room temperature overnight.

On Christmas Morning

To make the glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to make a frosting that can be poured over the cake. Sprinkle with sliced almonds or red cherries, if desired. Allow the glaze to set before serving.


Jumbo Blueberry Muffins

Makes 6 muffins

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour (lightly scoop, don’t pack down)
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Chopped walnuts and coarse sugar for sprinkling on top

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Spray a jumbo 6-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, gently toss together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until combined. Add the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla and whisk.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix together with a spatula. Avoid over mixing. Fold in the blueberries.

Pour batter into prepared muffin tins, filling all the way to the top. Top with a sprinkle of walnuts and coarse sugar.

Bake at 425 F degrees for 5 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 375 F degrees and continue to bake for 25-30 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and a cake tester comes out clean when placed into the center of the muffins.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool.

Store muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Muffins freeze well for up to 3 months.

Easy Pecan Sticky Buns

Ingredients

Sticky Syrup
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 cup large pecan halves

Dough
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup heavy cream

Cinnamon Filling
4 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Lightly grease a glass 9″ round cake pan or pie pan.

To make the syrup:

Melt the butter in the glass pan in the microwave. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup.

Stir well and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place the pecan halves over the syrup in a single layer.

To make the dough:

Stir together the flour and cream to make a smooth dough. Turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.

Gently roll the dough into a 12″ x 8″ rectangle.

To make the cinnamon filling:

Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped pecans in a small mixing bowl.

Spread the softened butter over the entire surface of the dough.

Roll the dough into a log. Position it so the seam is facing down.

Slice the log into 10 pieces, and place them in the prepared pan.

Bake the buns for about 20 minutes, until they’re bubbly and lightly browned on top.

Remove the buns from the oven, and immediately turn them out onto a serving plate.

Scrape any leftover syrup from the pan onto the buns.

To serve later, cool completely, then wrap well and store at room temperature for up to a couple of days.

Reheat in a 325-degree F oven. Freeze for longer storage.

Adapted from a King Arthur recipe.


Apple Flavored Baked Doughnuts With Maple Glaze

Makes 10

Doughnuts

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup apple butter
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

Glaze

1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon honey
Pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two standard doughnut pans.

Beat together the oil, eggs, sugars, applesauce, apple butter, orange juice, vanilla, apple pie spice, salt, and baking powder until smooth.

Add the flour, stirring just until smooth.

Fill 10 of the wells of the doughnut pans to the rim; using a scant 1/3 cup of batter in each well.

If you have a little dough left add a little to each of the doughnuts.

Bake the doughnuts for 15 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center of one comes out clean.

After about 5 minutes, remove the donuts from the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

Allow the doughnuts to cool completely before glazing.

To make the glaze:

Mix together all of the glaze ingredients, stirring until smooth.

Place waxed paper under the racks holding the donuts.

Spread the doughnuts with glaze (or dip tops in the glaze); return to the rack until the glaze is set.


HOMEMADE CINNAMON BREAD

Leftover slices of bread make delicious French toast.

Ingredients

For the dough:
6 cups bread flour, divided
2 packages (4½ tsp, ½oz, 14g) Instant Baking Yeast
½ cup of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 large eggs

For the filling:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Add 3 cups flour, the yeast, sugar, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment; mix on low for 30 seconds to combine ingredients.

In a saucepan or microwave-safe dish, heat milk, water, and butter until warm (120°-130°F; butter does not need to melt).

Add milk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix on low until just combined. Add eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened; mix 3 minutes at medium speed.

Turn the mixer down to low and slowly add enough of the remaining flour until dough comes together around the paddle. Switch to the dough hook.

Turn mixer to medium-low speed and knead for 6-8 minutes, or until dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise, about 60-90 minutes.

Prepare Filling: Place brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, whisk to combine; set aside.

Punch down dough. Divide into in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll or pat each into a 14 x 7- inch rectangle.

Brush each half with half of the melted butter; sprinkle half of the filling over each dough. Starting with the shorter side, roll up tightly, pressing dough into roll with each turn. Pinch edges and ends to seal.

Place in greased 9 x 5- or 8 x 4- inch bread pans, seam-side down. Cover; let rise in a warm place until an indentation remains after lightly touching, about one hour.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Cool in pans for 30 minutes before removing. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons room temperature butter, divided
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup water
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, divided
Powdered sugar

Directions

Cream together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy in an electric mixer; add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large measuring cup combine the cream and water; whisk together.

Add to the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the cream liquid. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Toss the blueberries in 1/4 cup flour and 1 teaspoon lemon rind. Spoon the berry mixture over the batter.

Combine the remaining ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup flour and the remaining teaspoon of lemon zest.r; cut in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender, two knives or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the berries.

Bake in preheated 375 degrees F oven for 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Blueberry Scones

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for counter
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon. baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling on the top

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and, using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut butter into the flour until the size of peas. Add fruit and toss to coat.
Make a well in the mixture and add the eggs and heavy cream. Mix with your hands until just combined. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board or counter and pat into an 8″ round. Cut into 8 triangles and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush with heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until lightly golden, 20 to 22 minutes.
Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer the scones to a rack to cool completely.



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