Get out of any gloomy mood with coffee cake

On a winter's day, a coffee cake is an easy sell, even to the would-be baker. Warm, spicy and sweet, it's the perfect antidote to seasonal gloom.
In a larger sense, coffee cakes promote visiting, generosity and kindly feelings. Want a friendlier relationship with your neighbors (even if it's only so they'll bring in the mail, water your plants and watch for burglars when you're out of town)? Bake a coffee cake and invite them over for a nibble and a cuppa.

While most tea- and coffee-drinking societies always have served treats alongside those steaming cups and mugs, 1950s-American-housewife culture is credited with the creation of the coffee cake.

Easy enough to make on a whim, yet tasty enough to serve to friends, quick breads will keep at room temperature, loosely covered, for two to three days, according to Lou Seibert Pappas in her new book, "Coffee Cakes: Simple, Sweet, and Savory" (Chronicle Books, $18.95).

Almost all coffee cakes freeze well for up to one month, according to Pappas. Let them cool to room temperature, then freeze them in resealable, heavy-duty plastic freezer bags. (You can also slice the cake first, then freeze individual slices to defrost and toast for breakfast as needed, or microwave briefly while still frozen. Don't microwave too long, though, or the slice will toughen.)

To defrost, you should let the coffee cake stand at room temperature fully wrapped but with the wrapping loosened a bit to let moisture out, according to Pappas. When thawed, reheat in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cake.

Includes recipes for:

BANANA, MACADAMIA NUT AND COCONUT COFFEE CAKE

APPLE-WALNUT MOSAIC COFFEE CAKE

Full article here.

February 25, 2007

Get out of any gloomy mood with coffee cake