Sunday, January 17, 2010

Aunt Patty Was Here

Edited 1/19/10: The contest for Mad Hungry is now over. Thanks for entering!
Hi Knitters,
As promised I whipped up Aunt Patty's Coffee Cake this morning. The coffee cake recipe is found in Lucinda Scala Quinn's Mad Hungry, Feeding Men & Boys. I am hosting a giveaway for this awesome cookbook right now. I will let the giveaway stay open until Tuesday, January 19th. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post! Keep the entries coming! You will love this book.

In the background you can see some little legs just waiting for the coffee cake to cool. There were three kids waiting for me to turn the pan over so the coffee cake would pop out. They kept asking and asking when it would be ready. Mad Hungriness can even happen right away in the morning! Who knew?
It was perfection! There is a swirl of chocolate filling that runs throughout the cake. I didn't add the instant coffee in the filling because I wasn't sure if the kids would like the coffee flavor. Instead I doubled the cocoa powder to replace the coffee. It worked great.
Next, I whipped up a vanilla glaze to pour over the coffee cake. This isn't in the book but we all love a little glaze on our coffee cake. We're glaze people. The kids absolutely loved it!
My older daughter jokingly asked if I could make this every morning. The kids were all so quiet while they were eating and enjoying their breakfast. That is the best kind of review, right? It was a hit.
Here is the book version and behind is my version. It was so simple to make. I had the batter mixed together in a matter of minutes. The house smells like heaven from the baking. My kids and husband gobbled up the entire coffee cake in one sitting. Do you see why I need this book? We never have leftovers no matter how much I make. My husband made up some crispy bacon on the side. Sweet and salty.

Thank you, Lucinda and Aunt Patty! What a treat to have a warm coffee cake on this sleepy Madison morning. The recipe for Aunt Patty's Coffee Cake is now on my permanent keeper list as something to make again and again. Wonderful. You should give this one a try.
The shades of gray and creamy white make it difficult to photograph but we are in a frosty fantasy land this morning. The world is covered in vanilla glaze. The trees are coated in crystals and the air is misty. It is straight out of a storybook. My husband told me that he was watching the weather and they said the frost is a phenomenon called, frozen fog.
I had never heard of frozen fog before but it is so beautiful. I want to get out for a walk to fully the enjoy the magical quality of the trees this morning.

Have a good Sunday, Knitters. I'll be back soon with a winner of a copy of Mad Hungry in a couple of days. In the meantime, I hope you are finding some time to knit on this long weekend. I have been knitting up a storm. Can't wait to share.

By the way, the Sweetheart Washcloth and the Sweetheart Hat are selling like hot cakes. I can hardly keep up but that is a fun thing to have happen. Thank you!

best, susie

65 comments:

Carla said...

Wow- yes please I would love that!

Carla said...

Wow- yes please I would love that!

Lori said...

My mouth is watering; I have bread rising so I know I'll have that delicious smell in a couple of hours, but I want that coffee cake right now. :)

reader said...

I was happy to see your photos of the frozen fog! We saw on the weather channel that there was frozen fog in Chicago and wondered what it was. It sure is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I loved the hat pattern - and I'm off to make coffee cake! Thanks.

jsample@pixius.net

dragonxser said...

oh my, that does look delicous! And the frozen fog is gorgeous :)

Louise said...

Oh yes cake baking is the best although alway gone in this house on day of baking

Amy said...

Wow, with 3 ravenous boys in my house, I could sure put this to use! Thanks for the chance to win!!

-Amy

KCina said...

Add me to this pile too....

Frozen fog happens occasionally in Oregon and it is gorgeous!

~ Kathy C.

Dawn Miller said...

Mmmmm, coffee cake! My husband would love coffee cake and bacon 8- )

Jodi said...

Looks yummy! What a beautiful Madison day.

LBB said...

What a great idea for a cookbook! Thank you for the giveaway....I hope I win. I really want that coffee cake!!!

Bridget said...

mmmm... Aunt Patty would be perfect on a freezing January morning! And I'm always looking for a new recipe book to keep my 3 growing kids happy!

mbridget on Rav

Jimberlys said...

I just couldn't wait for the contest. I already ordered "Mad-Hungry." If I should be lucky enough to win my daughter will benefit! It looks like a wonderful basic cook-book with nutrition in mind!

I would love to see that frozen fog. It looks so beautiful. I grew up in Boston and have not experienced a good snow season in 30 years!

Patty

Suburban prep said...

Oh my goodness that looks so totally delicious. I am sure it was very much enjoyed.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

That photo looks totally sinful! I love baking cakes and would do that any day of the week over pies. Would love to have a copy :)

Anonymous said...

Please add me to the list. My husband, 3 boys, and 8 grandson's would love this on family get togethers! Thanks - love your blog!!

cyndi in alabama said...

I would love the Mad Hungry cookbook - I live with 3 Mad Hungry Men plus I love to cook! Thanks Susan for the generous give-away!

Unknown said...

Love the cake! Hope I can bake too...

Em... I'll have to learn.

Stefanie said...

That looks so delicious; my husband could eat half of that in one sitting!

Jeanie said...

MMM..looks like some good cookin' and good eatin' in the future. Thanks for thinking of us.

Jeanie said...

MMM..looks like some good cookin' and good eatin' in the future.

Ruth said...

Mmmmmm - coffe cake! I love cookbooks!

Marianna said...

Looks like something my boys would love!

Sara in WI said...

Hi, Susan! I am allergic to anything with gluten in it but can still appreciate the beauty of a well done baking project! I can almost smell it!
Hugs!

christine m.east of toronto said...

i may have already mentioned it... but i would LOVE to win this book!

Imene said...

I so want this book! I'm a good cook but baking scares me to death. I decided to start baking lately but i need easy yummy recipes. Thank you for the giveaway

Maribeth from NJ said...

I've been reading alot about this cookbook and would love to give it a try with my 3 "mad hungry" boys. Thanks for sharing your take on the coffee cake.

The Glenns said...

Yum and more yum. I will make the coffee cake immediately if I'm lucky enough to win! Thank you so much.

Anonymous said...

My mouth is watering! I took a similar picture of the frost fog and placed it on my blog - I just started my blog this weekend.

Thanks again for sharing your time with us at the Madison Knitters' Guild last Monday. You ROCK!

Irene said...

I have mad hungriness just seeing this coffee cake! I would love to win a copy.

Unknown said...

We had a literal freezing fog last night, couldn't see ten yards in front of the car, the whole backyard is glazed, would be lovely if the sun came out

Sunrise Knitter said...

Love your knitting enthusiasm and your ittty-bitty projects. Keep them coming. The coffeecake sounds/looks awesome..can't wait to get the cookbook and make it.

Lois Conway at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

karen said...

I have 3 hungry boys 2 hungry girls and 1 hungry guy in my house.
Would love the book. I love blue and yellow and was interested in the plate the cake was on. Was it a paper plate??

karen said...

I have 3 hungry boys,2 hungry girls and 1 hungry guy. I would love the book. I also love blue and yellow I am interested in the plate the cake was on. Was it a paper plate??

karen said...

I have 3 hungry boys, 2 hungry girls and 1 hungry guy to feel. I would love this book. I also love blue and yellow and thought the plate made the picture so lucious.

andrea said...

Dear Aunt Patty,
You are most welcome to come visit at our house anytime. Would you bake that delicious coffe cake while you are here? YUM!!!
Your loving niece,
Andi

magpye said...

that looks great and the book sounds wonderful! thanks for hosting a giveaway! and for making me hungry :)

weavinfool said...

The book sounds great. I have a daughter with men to feed, plus I have one of my own.
P.S. I have 2 of your books and love them.

Anonymous said...

OMG, I think I can smell it!!

Libba

Susan aka No Knit Sherlock said...

nom nom nom nom.......

it's pouring outside and I'm about to start baking, but I see you've beat me to it...put a pot of coffee on, I'm com'in over! :)

Di said...

Wow that looks de-lish! I feel a yen for baking right now.

SaraKristin said...

did i ever tell you coffee cake is my favorite thing to eat? i think i must make some right now!

Kathy said...

I would love to win this cookbook. The cake pictures made me hungry.

Sarah said...

The coffee cake looks delicious! I'm glad it tasted as good as it looked. I love the spiky icicles the frozen fog has created. Thanks for sharing. :)

Unknown said...

Another name for the frozen frost is "hoar frost" - I remember being astonished by it as a kid and haven't seen or thought of it since. Thanks for the great pictures!

Alice Regan said...

I'm so hungry now! The coffee cake looks so delicious! Count me in!

We've been having 'frozen fog' in Utah too! Now I'm off to do some baking!

mk said...

i love her!!! i have been a fan of hers for years & would love this book. how generous of you!!! thanks!

ps...i have so many requests for sweetheart hats for family members' kids. love that pattern!

Ina said...

Your coffee cake looks yummy! Looks like the perfect recipe for a cold January morning!

Beth said...

That cake looks delicious!! I'm not surprised it disappeared in one sitting.
Knitting has consisted of perfectly mindless stockinette socks.
Thanks for hosting a give-away.

Pat said...

Looks like a fabulous cookbook - I'd love to try this recipe! If you were to pick my name, I'd give this book to my daughter as she directed me to your blog entry. Thanks for the giveaway!

Missy Thomas said...

That cake looks like HEAVEN!

Unknown said...

What a fabulous birthday present that would be for this mom-to-be! Your give-a-ways ROCK!!! Erin

Unknown said...

That would be a fabulous birthday gift for this mom-to-be!! Your give-a-ways ROCK!!

camby said...

It looks delicious! I'd love to make it for my family!

Colleen said...

Susan,

Frozen fog is also known as hoar frost. We have had a bumper crop of it this winter in Madison haven't we.

Melody said...

Oh YUM ! You totally just took out my will power to resist sweets. I must have some of this. LOL. Actually I would be happy just watching someone enjoying it....and maybe just a good sniff would do.

Thanks for the chance to win the cookbook.

junglemama said...

looks fun and the cake looks yummy!

also i just ran across this blog and thought of you and your daughter http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/

susi

Anonymous said...

yummmmmmmmmmm
skfrodier@aol.com
Sharon in Va

Unknown said...

Your coffee/chocolate cake looks lovely. Thanks for your hard work on the blog and your fun contests!

Judi A. said...

So enjoyed your blog today with the saliva stimulating photos of your coffee cake, and then the wonderful pictures of the frozen fog. I haven't seen that in many, many years, back when we were still living in Michigan. It truly is a beautiful sight. I loved the words you used to describe it, too. :-)

Englenook said...

In my vernacular, we call your 'frozen frost', a hoarfrost. They are so very, very beautiful. Getting up in the morning and peering out on such a scene is like magic. The sky was always clear blue.

Connie said...

That looks sooooooo yummy. I would love to win a copy.

sara said...

Yummy! Would love to have a copy of the cookbook! Sara in AL

Alison said...

This is gorgeous. Would love to bake some for grandma's birthday.