Apple Coffee Cake

My sister asked for an Apple Coffee Cake recipe and my Mom could only find one (untried) in her vast cookbook collection.   Coffee cake is denser than regular cake, but not so dense as pound cake.  I happened upon this one from Taste of Home and sure enough, they also had it online.  This is YUMMY!  It also turns out to taste very good without the apples. The second time Mom made it, she forgot to put the applies in, yet it was delicious! Just not apple flavored.  Mom also did not have butter flavored shortening, so used regular shortening with a little butter flavoring.  If you want to use butter, that should work fine, but be aware that it will be heavier than the original recipe intended.  The recipe also makes TWO coffee cakes. One for now and one to be frozen and used later.  Remember TWO coffee cakes (or perhaps a 9x 13 pan). [current photo compliments of Taste of Home]

Apple Coffee Cake

1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
2 cups chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)

Topping:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture alternately wiht sour cream, mixing well after each addition.  Stir in apples.  Transfer to TWO greased 8 inch square baking dishes.

For the topping, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts; sprinkle over batter.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely. Cover and freeze for up to 6 months.

To use frozen coffee cake. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.  Yield: 2 coffee cakes (6-9 servings each).

Here's a link to the original recipe online. They have some other apple coffee cakes, but this was the best one.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/apple-coffee-cake