Monday, August 16, 2010

Second Try: Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Have you ever tried out a recipe that you expect to be so divine that the heavens will part and rainbows will shine, but what really ends up happening is some kind of rainshower with plenty of clouds?

I shared a Coffee Cake Recipe last Spring from Rachael Ray magazine that landed somewhere between the cloud at the end of a rainbow and a slow, steady drizzle. Not my best work--a bit too soupy. I put the recipe aside and forgot all about coffee cakes until I stumbled across a Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake recipe from Southern Living.

For the most part, I consider Southern Living to be the litmus test of all good recipes. I was not disappointed with this one. Two girlfriends joined me one morning several weeks back and raved about the taste, so I knew I had to share it with you. (Locals, if you are reading this, I claim this one for MOPS brunch days!)

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
from Southern Living, 2004

Cake:
1 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels
1 (16 oz.) package pound cake mix
1 (8 oz.) sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs

To Make Cake: Stir together chocolate morsels and 1 T of the cake mix. Set aside. Beat sour cream, milk, eggs, and remaining cake mix at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium, beat 3 more minutes. Spoon half of the batter into a lightly greased 13 x 9 in pan (I used and recommend an 8 x 8!!). Sprinkle morsel mixture on top. Spread remaining batter on top, Sprinkle with streusel mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 T all purpose flour
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 c. chopped pecans
2 T melted butter

To make Streusel: Combine first 3 ingredients, stir in pecans and butter til crumbly

*As usual, I was distracted while baking, and I ended up mixing the morsels/cake mix combination and the streusel topping together in a bowl. I decided to go with the flow, and after putting the first layer of batter into the 8 x 8 pan, I put a thin layer of the morsel/cake mix/streusel down. I added the second layer of batter and then a hearty topping of morsels/cake mix/streusel to the top. This actually turned out perfectly and I'll continue to make it this way!*
I'd keep writing, but the drool keeps messing up my keyboard.

Come back later this week for some crafty stuff, a neat blog-related Giveaway, and a Weekend Bloggy Reading link-up on Friday morning!

Linking to Jen's Tasty Tuesday and Jennifer's Tutorial Tuesday!

Special thanks to today's Sponsor, Crafty Girls Workshop.
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25 comments:

  1. Oh, yum! I love nuts and chocolate. Definitly going to add this to my recipe collection, thanks!

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  2. oh yum! i'm printing out this recipe....boy, I could use a piece with my coffee right now :)

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  3. Chocolate makes everything better, doesn't it? This cake looks delicious!

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  4. Looks delicious - my kiddos would love this!

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  5. Okay, this does look yummy. I love coffee cake. I rarely make it because I would end up eating so much of it myself. I have no willpower when it comes to breakfast sweets! But next time I have people over for coffee, this would be a great thing to try!

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  6. That looks so yummy! I hate when a recipe I really want to work turns out not so great! Especially if it was loaded with expensive ingredients!

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  7. Looks so good!! And I too love coffee cakes. So easy to make up and usually tasty. This one sounds perfect!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  8. Oh, my, that looks GOOD. I might need to try this one. Had to laugh when you said you got distracted. That's why I'm not a great cook. My kids will never let me forget the time I served grilled cheese sandwiches without the cheese inside. (Oops!)

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  9. Durn! I HATE I didn't see this before I went to the grocery store this morning!

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  10. Oh that looks sooooooooooo good. I'm at a point in my diet that I am craving cake right now. I think I'm tearing up with envy that you get to eat that yummy cake.

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  11. Oh.my.goodness! This sounds so good. It wouldn't last long in this house!

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  12. Oh. Yum. Chocolately-delectable yum. In a coffee cake. Couldn't get any better. Except maybe kahlua. Kahlua and coffee would tip it right over the edge. Thanks for sharing the recipe. And "Southern Living" and "baking" go together like white on rice. :)
    Mindy
    www.thesuburbanlife.com

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  13. My husband loves coffee cake and I love chocolate. It's a win!

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  14. Yum! You had me at chocolate chips and pecans. This is definitely one I will be making.

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  15. Oh yum! Thanks for this...will bookmark for sure :) Hope you have a wonderful day! Be sure to visit my blog for a great giveaway!

    Sarah
    ***Visit my blog for a GIVEAWAY and new linking party!***
    http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-wednesday-party-link-up-giveway-too.html

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  16. This is going into my recipe box for cooler days ahead - thanks!!

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  17. I love me some coffee cake and this one looks delish! As far as sour cream coffee cake goes, Barefoot Contessa has a great recipe too.

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  18. That happens to me a lot! Glad you were able to find a better recipe, it looks delicious!

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  19. Oh, my! This looks scrumptious!! Saving it... :D

    Have a great day!
    Sherry

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  20. Deeelish! Although...I'd probably leave out the pecans. No need to "ruin" good chocolate that way! :)

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  21. Yum! You know - if they call it "coffee cake" it means I can eat it for breakfast- right?! ;)

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