Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

This is going to be short and sweet since this is hands down the best coffee cake everrrrrrrr. Yes, those exrta "r's" are totally necessary. It's perfect for breakfast, perfect for a snack and even perfect for dessert (with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!). You can throw it together in a matter of minutes and everyone will love it. You may even eat the whole pan to yourself. Just saying. This apple streusel coffee cake is one of my all time favorite go-to breakfasty (is this even a word? Well, it is now) bread recipes. That's how good it is. No kitchen aid needed here. Just two bowls, a spoon and your belly will be very happy in about 20-30 minutes.

If shortening makes you squeamish, you can always use butter. I picked up organic shortening (it's non-hydrogenated) at my local Whole Foods.

dry ingredients

chopped apples

wet + dry

pre-bake with streusel topping. I forgot to take a post-bake picture. Oops. It was probably all gone before I realized I needed to take a picture!

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake (from www.foodnetwork.com)

For the cake:

1 1/2 cups flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 cup milk (I used regular milk since I had it on hand, but normally I would just use soy or almond milk. Use what you have!)
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, melted
1 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples (2 to 3 apples)

 

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Sift flour and measure then sift together with the other dry ingredients. Beat the egg, then add the milk and melted shortening. Pour the wet into the dry then add the raw apples and mix well. Pour into a well greased 8-inch square pan. Mix together the streusel ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Bake at 400 about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

See how easy that was? Now why are you still here? Get in your kitchen and make this. You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen already!