Celebration Coffeecakes

For ordinary breakfasts or brunches, today’s busy home-keeper can’t beat wonderful frozen coffeecakes. But, when special days roll around, the savvy home-keeper is obligated to exert just a little effort to create celebration coffeecakes.

The wide array of different shapes and sizes of cake pans make it easier to stir-up celebration coffeecakes, which are reminiscent of holidays past.

Southern Christmas Tree Coffeecake

You’ll need:

Tree shaped cake pan

2 cups biscuit mix

1/3 cup evaporated milk

2 tablespoons evaporated milk

1/3 cup water

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons citron, chopped in fine pieces

1/3 cup candied cherries, halved

Pour biscuit mix in a mixing bowl; add 1/3 cup evaporated milk and 1/3 cup water. Mix thoroughly, using a fork. Spread mixture in Christmas tree shaped cake pan. Bake in 400 degree, preheated oven until lightly browned. Remove from baking pan.

Topping: Blend confectioners’ sugar with 2 tablespoons evaporated milk to the smooth stage. Spoon topping over coffeecake while it’s hot. Arrange citron and cherries on top to “decorate” the Christmas tree.

Puttin’-on-the-Dog Topping:

When the proper southern hostess entertains pompous people – like politicians – it’s called puttin’-on-the-dog. This alternate topping is designed to impress important people.

You’ll need:

Important people

4 eggs separated

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

¼ cup bourbon whiskey

Beat egg yolks until thick. Slowly add ½ cup powdered sugar. Beat the egg whites until a peak is formed. Add remaining sugar. Fold egg mixtures together and add the bourbon whiskey. Mix well. Serve over warm Southern Christmas Tree Coffeecake. (or any cake for that matter)

Celebration Coffeecakes via muffin form are divine go-withs for the bride’s Morning Coffee, baby showers, graduations or the gala open house.

Layered Coffeecake Muffins

Cake Layer:

1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flower

½ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup shortening

1 beaten egg

½ cup milk

Sift dry ingredients into mixing bowl; cut in shortening until reaching crumb-like stage. Combine egg and milk; add to dry mixture. Stir just enough to moisten.

Nut Layer:

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons melted butter

Combine above ingredients.

Line muffin pan(s) with 12 paper baking cups. Spoon in small amount of cake batter; top with nut mixture. Keep layering until baking cups are about 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees until done or about 20 minutes.

Celebration coffeecakes are guaranteed to pass the deliciousness test!