Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Topped Buttermilk Coffee Cake

It finally occurred to me somewhere along the way that a great hostess gift for a Saturday night dinner party might be a coffee cake that might make breakfast the next morning an easy treat. Nothing like wearing yourself out giving a great party only to face an empty larder the next morning when you’re in no mood to cook. So Rick and I were invited to a BBQ on Saturday night and I baked two coffee cakes- knowing he would be quite grumpy sad if he didn’t get some for his own breakfast too. It was easy as … well -coffeecake

Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Topped Buttermilk Coffee Cake

Makes 2- one for you and one to give away or freeze for later.

Make the topping :

• 1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) cold butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon
• 2/3  cup unbleached, all purpose flour
• 2 cups pecan halves

Mix the flour, cinnamon and sugar together and cut the butter into the mix. Mix in the pecan halves. Set aside.

For Cake:

• 4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 350F. Using a bit of melted butter and a pastry brush, butter two 9-inch spring-form pans and place a parchment circle into the bottom of each pan, set aside. Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl, set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and vanilla, mix well after each addition. Add the flour and buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just to combine- Do not over-mix. Immediately divide evenly between the spring-form pans and smooth out to level. Sprinkle half of the streusel evenly over each pan. Place in oven and bake for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Rotate the pans half way through for even baking. 

Hope you enjoy and share the goodness!
 xo