Cozy Coffee Cake

I swear it rains every August 31st.  Taunting me to put up some fall decorations before its September.  And then the next day its back to summer.  And why is it that when it rains, I just want to bake?!  Probably just so I can smell those cozy smells. 

I grew up in Portland and I remember hating the rain.  But I have lived away long enough that when I do get a rainy day I savor every second.  And lucky for me I didn't even have to do the hard work to get the cozy.  My sister drove back from Portland today with some of my mom's coffee cake.  Lucky me!  And lucky you cuz I'm going to share the recipe...

Coffee Cake

2  1/2 cups flour

2 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

5 Tbsp butter flavored shortening

2 eggs

1 cup milk

2 tsp vanilla

Topping

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

6 Tbsp flour

4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup nuts (totally optional)

6 Tbsp butter, melted

Measure dry ingredients for cake into a large bowl.  Cut in shortening with back of a spoon until its in tiny pieces.  Combine eggs, milk and vanilla.  Add to flour, stirring until just mixed.  *Don't use a mixer or over mix*.  Set aside. 

Mix together topping ingredients in a small bowl.

In a greased 9x13 pan spread half of cake batter in the pan.  Sprinkle on half of the topping.  Then carefully spread the rest of the batter to cover the topping.  Sprinkle on the remaining topping.  Bake at 375* for about 35 minutes, checking at 30 minutes.  It is done when a toothpick comes out clean.  

It is most definitely best served warm.  And if you are feeling really good,  cut open a slice and put some butter on it.  Mmmm... 

Enjoy the cozy weather!  Hopefully it will be gone tomorrow ;)