Favorite Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour*
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup shortening
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 egg
• Topping (below)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease round layer pan 9x1½ inches, or square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches.
3. Blend all ingredients except Topping; beat vigorously ½ minute.
4. Spread in pan.
5. Sprinkle Topping over batter.
6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Serve warm.

*If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.

Topping

Mix ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed), ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 3 tablespoons firm butter until crumbly.

Variations

• Blueberry Buckle: Increase flour to 2 cups, carefully stir 2 cups well-drained blueberries into batter and omit Topping. Mix ½ cup sugar, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ cup soft butter; sprinkle over batter in pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes.

• Jam-Raisin Coffee Cake: Decrease sugar to ¼ cup and omit Topping; spread batter in prepared square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches. Mix ¼ cup brown sugar (packed), ½ cup raisins and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Spoon ⅔ cup cherry or apricot jam or orange marmalade over brown sugar mixture. While warm, spread with Confectioners’ Sugar Icing: Blend 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla and about 1 tablespoon water.

• Streusel-filled Coffee Cake: Omit Topping; spread half the batter in prepared pan. Mix ½ cup brown sugar (packed), 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ cup finely chopped nuts and 2 tablespoons butter, melted; sprinkle half the mixture over batter in pan. Top with remaining batter, then remaining brown sugar mixture.