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Tender, rich, citrusy and sweet Orange coffee cake topped with a delicious Almond and Coconut Streusel topping.
Apparently, I don’t have time to get dinner to the table, but I sure do have 2 hours to make a cake…
See, what I like about us – us, as in you and I – is that I can tell you about my stressful days that resulted in a Sandra Lee semi-homemade-ish dinner and you completely understand! How else was I going to pull off those Sweet Korean BBQ Beef Tacos in the middle of moving. Semi-homemade is sometimes the way to go.
But, that’s why we also have those other times… those times when we can focus two hours on making a delicious coffee cake with oranges and almonds.
There’s also a fundamental difference between cooking and baking. Cooking is what I do because I have to keep the people in this house alive…
Baking is what I do to relax and keep my soul happy.
Weird as it may sound, only people that enjoy baking can understand relaxing while measuring flour and creaming butter and sugar. It’s my favorite pastime. Well, that and eating.
The very best thing about baking is the learning process. I can’t tell you how many cakes – and muffins and breads – I’ve made that didn’t turn out quite as they should have. By the time a baked recipe makes it to the blog, you better believe that there’s been at least 3 test-runs before your eyes landed on it.
This lovely coffee cake was in my “test kitchen” 4 times before I *think* I nailed it. She was such a diva throughout the entire process. The oranges weren’t sweet enough, the coconut wasn’t wet enough, the sour cream wasn’t fat enough… I’m telling you, I had a field day with this one.
Thing is that the cake was always edible…very, very edible. The problem was in the texture; it wasn’t dense enough. Or as dense as a coffee cake should be. Finally, after adding some fatty sour cream to it, it all came together. And sweeter oranges. Can’t tell you how much that matters in this cake. Make sure you use very sweet oranges, like Ortanique or mandarin oranges; those work the best.
If you don’t have two hours to spare, could you try to find the time and make this cake? Scouts honor, you will love it! And so will your belly.
ENJOY!
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Pin ItOrange and Almond Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- butter and flour for cake pan
- 2 small sweet oranges, (Ortanique, mandarines)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- zest of 1 small orange
- 6 tablespoons butter, , softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sweet angel flake coconut
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter, , melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter and sprinkle with flour; set aside.
- Segment the oranges by cutting off the top stem-end and bottom stem-end of the orange just until the flesh is exposed.
- Stand the orange up on one of the flat ends.
- Working from top to bottom, cut away the peel and pith by following the curve of the fruit.
- Slice out each orange segment by cutting in towards the center of the orange, following the connective membranes. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and orange zest. Set aside.
- In your mixer’s bowl, cream together the butter and sugar; beat until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in sour cream and vanilla and continue to mix until thoroughly combined.
- Keeping mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and continue to mix until well incorporated.
- Pour the batter in prepared cake pan and using an offset spatula, spread the batter evenly and smooth it out.
- Top with one layer of previously prepared oranges.
- Set aside.
- Prepare the streusel topping by combining all ingredients in a bowl; stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over cake batter and oranges.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 30 minutes and serve.
- Cake will last for 3 days, covered, at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I made this cake..the streusel was burnt though..could it be the temperature of the oven? Most of the other orange-almond cakes use orange juice and bake for an hour at 350 degrees. Your drool worthy photograph brought me over here ๐
Recipe testing can be hard but also very fun. This cake looks well worth it! So comforting.
Kate,
Can I add this to my recipe round up (photo + link only) for the Band Fruit Fundraiser next month?
It looks wonderful, and I’ve ordered a case of mandarins I think.
Hi Kirsten!!
Yes, absolutely! I’d love for you to add it. Thank you! ๐
Thanks for giving me the link to include in my upcoming Band Fruit Fundraiser Recipe Round Up! It will be published on 12/4/2013!
Curious why is it called a coffee cake?
It’s all about quality control when it comes to baking. ๐ This cake is definitely my cup of tea!
Now, this is my kind of coffee cake!!
I find it very soothing to be in the kitchen! But only when I am alone and no one pounding on my knees needing something! The cake looks amazing!!
I’m very particular when it comes to coffee cake because I really like to eat moist ones. My gosh, your coffee cake is beyond perfect. Looking so delicious, and I love the almond on top! Whole cake, please! ๐
Oh, I totally agree with you! I’m all about the baking and the cooking is because I have to. This cake looks amazing!
It sounds divine, that crumbly topping gets me every time!
I love orange and almond cakes, and that streusel topping is divine!