Orange Coffee Cake

 Nothing like a computer meltdown to make you appreciate the resources you already have. Normally, I look at recipes online and think "I would totally make this if  I have the time."

The the computer died.

Now I have the time.

I haven't used this book in ages, although after flipping through the book I'm not sure why. This book has some awesome recipes, and definitely nothing over the top so complicated it would intimidate me sort of recipes. Basic good food and lots of baking suggestions throughout the book.

So I decided the other day after waking up earlier than I had been expecting that I would make breakfast. In retrospect, this was also on the same day that I thought it made sense to also make the Macaroon challenge for the Daring Bakers and my soon to be failed attempt to  try to make pizza dough from scratch for my Cooking Italy challenge.

I think I would have succeed with making the pizza  dough had I not left it in a plastic bowl to rise ON TOP OF THE STOVE while I was baking macarrons which caused the bottom of the bowl to not only melt but also to bake the dough.

That said, this was a pretty tasty recipe. And easy for me, giving me a big boost of baking courage after my rather interesting coffee cake the other week. The orange juice is pretty mild but definitely there. I think I would like it a little more orange tasting so I might add a little orange extract if I made this again.

Orange Coffee Cake
Courtesy of Pillsbury : The Complete Book of Baking

Coffee Cake
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs beaten

Topping
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup sugar
3 tspcinnamon
1 tbsp margarine or butter, softened
1 tsp grated orange peel

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Greast 10 inch overproof skillet or appropriate sized baking dish. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well.

In small bowl, combine orange juice, oil and eggs; blend well.  Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spread batter evenly in greased skilled or pan.

In small bowl, combine topping ingredients with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over batter.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 12 servings.