At most family gatherings there are certain dishes that will always make an appearance.  And at our family gathering’s you could count on one thing and that was my wife’s Aunt Mary and her delicious coffee cake.

And this coffee cake doesn’t have to be paired with coffee.  You can pop open a Muscat, Sauterne, or Madeira wine to enhance this cake’s coffee flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 6 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For Streusel Mixture

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons melted, unsalted butter
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 package (12 ounces) chocolate chips
• Zest of one orange

Directions

1. Have all ingredients at room temperature.  Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sift flour once before measuring.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
4. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is like fine cornmeal.
5. Blend in well-beaten egg mixed with sour cream. Add vanilla and beat just to incorporate.
6. Pour ½ the batter into two, well-greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans. Sprinkle with ½ streusel mixture
7. Pour in remaining batter. Sprinkle in remaining streusel over the top.
8. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes in preheated oven.

For Streusel:

1. Mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Blend in melted butter.
2. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.