Shortbread Coffee Cake

The buttery crumb mixture provides a cookie like crust for this cake. It can be enjoyed as a breakfast cake with coffee or as a dessert or snack with a big glass of milk.

Serves 8-10
Prep time: 8 minutes
Total time:53 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Press half of the crumb mixture into a grease 9 inch square pan. Set aside. Combine sour cream and baking soda, stirring well. Add to remaining crumb mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Add egg and vanilla, stirring gently to combine. Pour sour cream mixture over crumb crust in pan. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake for 45 minutes.

Cooking Wiser:

Purchase whole nuts and chop them yourself for more flavor

For a healthier option use low fat sour cream

Make it your own
Replace pecans with walnuts or macadamia nuts

Add dried cranberries or blueberries to the sour cream mixture