How to Make Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake

This is a great German dish and absolutely wonderful to serve to guests. Don't think that you just have to serve this by itself, though. Garnish it with fresh peaches, blackberries, raspberries, or any other kind of fresh fruit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Streusel:
• 6 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Coffee Cake:
• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 3 Tbsp butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp milk
• 1 large egg
• 12" pizza pan

1. To make the streusel, in a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until coarse crumbs form; add pecans. Set aside.

2. To make the coffee cake, grease a 12" pizza pan. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let the mixture stand until it is foamy, 5-10 minutes.

3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on high speed, combine butter, sugar, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add 1/2 cup flour, milk, egg, and yeast mixture to the butter mixture; mix well. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft, smooth dough.

5. Divide the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll half of the dough into a 12" round. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared pan.

6. Spread half the streusel over the dough to within 1" of the edge.

7. Roll the remaining dough into a 12" round; set on top of the filling. Press the edges to seal.

8. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle the remaining streusel over the dough. Cover the coffee cake and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

9. Bake the coffee cake until golden, 20-25 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool. Remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a serving platter; cut into wedges and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make the dough the night before, cover, and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, allow the dough to stand at room temperature for 20 minutes; then bake as directed.
• For a moister version, fit the dough into a round cake pan, tucking the ends of the dough under. Spread with 1 cup canned apple pie filling and then top with streusel.
• To make a tropical streusel, make this a one layer cake and add 1/4 cup shredded coconut and 1/4 tsp coconut extract to the streusel topping
• Streusel is German for "sprinkle" or "stew". Streusel toppings, made of flour, butter, sugar, and spices, can be sprinkled over cakes, muffins, breads, bar cookies, and pies.
• The success of your coffee cake (and any yeast bread) depends on careful yeast preparation. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure proper water temperature (105-110 F) before combining with yeast.