I had a can of cherry pie filling sitting on my pantry shelf just begging to be used in something. And then I found a coffee cake recipe at BettyCrocker.com that seemed perfect for this cherry filling—it sounded quick, easy, and looked really yummy! I made a few changes to the recipe and was able to whip up a tasty coffee cake one Saturday morning in a short amount of time–it really was pretty easy to put together and tasted great!
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I’ve been putting off making granola because it’s been so hot outside! I try to avoid using my oven if I don’t need to when the weather is really hot, but I was really wanting to make some granola. So I got up very early one Saturday morning–which lately has been the coolest, least humid part of the day–and made this Vanilla-Almond Granola. It seemed like a nice, basic, summery flavor to try. I really like the vanilla-almond combination. You’ll notice that it does have quite a bit of vanilla in it–2 whole Tablespoons! It’s a slightly sweet granola, so if you like yours more sweet, add in the brown sugar, which I have listed as an optional ingredient. It’s sweet enough for me without the brown sugar, though, and I love eating this sprinkled on top of some vanilla Greek yogurt–a good, easy breakfast for the summer months!
VANILLA-ALMOND GRANOLA by NancyC
Makes about 6 1/2 cups
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (do not use quick oats)
- 1 1/2 cups sliced or slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup wheat germ or ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower kernels (if you use roasted kernels, add those to the mixture after baking)
- Optional: 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (if you want your granola sweeter)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- Parchment paper for lining baking sheet
Preheat oven to 300˚F. Line a 10 x 15″ or 13 x 18″ baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, toss the oats, almonds, wheat germ or ground flax seed, sunflower kernels, brown sugar (if using), salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside.
In a small microwaveable bowl, heat honey for 20 to 30 seconds to make the consistency thinner. Then, in a medium size bowl, blend honey and melted coconut oil. Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts, blending everything well. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and toss until the oat mixture is well coated.
Spread granola mixture on prepared baking sheet and bake at 300˚F for 45 minutes, until mixture is golden, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let granola cool completely (the mixture will get crunchier as it cools). Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks.
I’ve heard that you can also freeze homemade granola for two to three months, although I haven’t tried that myself yet. This granola would also be good sprinkled over ice cream for dessert. Have you made any special homemade granola flavors this summer?
Linked to Fiesta Friday, Inspire Me Monday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Full Plate Thursday, Inspiration Thursday, Let’s Get Real Friday, Show and Share.
Do you like breakfast pastry? Or how about coffee cake? If you do, then I think you’d really like this recipe, because it’s a combination of both. It has a thin, rich cakey layer that’s topped with apple pie filling and drizzled with a creamy glaze, which gives it that pastry touch. So it’s the best of both breakfast worlds!
This Apple Almond Coffee Cake is great if you need to make something that serves a larger group of people, too, because it’s made in a 10 x 15″ pan. If you’re not crazy about apple pie filling, you can substitute another fruit pie filling like cherry or peach–I thought apple would be good for autumn. This would be great for a special breakfast or brunch any time of year, but since the holidays are coming up, you may want to keep this in mind for a holiday weekend brunch. It could also work as a dessert too, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream on top.
APPLE ALMOND COFFEE CAKE by NancyC, adapted from Taste of Home
Makes a 10 x 15″ pan, about 16-20 servings
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
ICING:
- 1 1/4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 Tablespoons Half & Half (light cream)
- 4 Tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted or untoasted, for sprinkling on top of icing
The coffee cake before it goes in the oven (left) and after it is baked and glazed (right)
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease or line a 10 x 15″ rimmed baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder; add to the creamed butter/sugar mixture and mix just until combined. Spread 3 3/4 cups batter evenly into prepared 10 x 15″ baking pan.
Spoon pie filling into a medium-size bowl and cut apples into smaller chunks with a knife. Stir in cinnamon, blending well, then spoon and spread filling, in a thin layer, onto the batter to within 1″ of edges. Spoon remaining batter in small dollops over the filling.
Bake at 350˚F for 22 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool coffee cake in pan on a wire rack.
In small bowl, combine confectioner’s sugar, almond extract, and Half & Half (light cream). Drizzle over warm or cooled coffee cake (you don’t have to use all the glaze if you just want a light drizzle). Sprinkle glazed coffee cake with sliced almonds. Let glaze set at least 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.
Did I mention this coffee cake was especially good in the morning with a nice hot cup of coffee? It helps make getting out of bed a little easier on a chilly morning! 🙂 Do you have a favorite coffee cake recipe you enjoy making this time of year?
Linked to Fiesta Friday at The Novice Gardener, Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy, Show and Share at Coastal Charm, and Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner.
I like to make lemon-flavored treats in the summer—lemons just seem to give everything a light, fresh taste! This Lemon Almond Bread is like a pound cake…rich and dense, with almonds in the lemony batter, and more sprinkled on top of the lemon glaze. So, if you like lemons and almonds, you’re in for a treat!
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NancyC 