41 Comments
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Gretchen Giles's avatar

OK, I'm actually trying to make this cake. The recipe mentions eggs but the ingredient list does not. I am ascertaining from the method that two eggs are called for. Similarly, the recipe is prompted by your slivered almond bounty but they are never again mentioned. I can discern from the photo that they go in the streusel, so I added some. Midway through having commited a good amount of butter to this project, but I'm a bit leery, just sayin'.

Michael Procopio's avatar

Oh lord. Thank you so much for catching these errors, which have now been corrected. I think I was writer blind by the end of writing this. I am so sorry for that.

John D. Hackensacker III's avatar

Lady on the left: "I always watch for International Beaver Day and then miss it."

Lady on the right: "Girl, me too. We ought to plan something."

Apologies for being tardy for the party. My inbox, like my life, is a mess.

Putting this recipe on my list of ones to try if I carry through on my threats to take up baking in my imminent retirement! Coffee cake seems to have fallen out of fashion. That makes me sad.

Michael Procopio's avatar

I'm here to help keep the coffee cake dream alive.

And I merely assumed you were planning some grand entrance into my comment section, as is your usual custom.

Chris Jensen's avatar

Bookmarked! Surely, Shirley, I can invent a reason to bring this to someone's house so I won't eat the entire thing by myself in one sitting.

Michael Procopio's avatar

I'm imposing a few slices on my neighbor this evening. I like giving her treats because she proclaims everything "amazing," which is good for my ego, but little else.

Properly stored, this cake should freeze well.

Chris Jensen's avatar

I'm rehearsing a play right now, and one of the things I like about rehearsals is I have a captive and appreciative audience for home-baked goods. I'll bring whatever I've stress-baked that week -- usually something very simple, like a snacking cake or whatever -- and people act like I'm some kind of wizard, which is good for my ego, and definitely not good for anything else.

Michael Procopio's avatar

In that case, this easy to assemble cake will blow their susceptible little minds, Mr. Wizard.

Elizabeth Pizzinato's avatar

Gawd this cake sounds gorgeous. And as a fellow Canadian I declare T’s instincts right on every count.

Michael Procopio's avatar

That T's a clever clog, for sure.

And it's a lovely l'il cake, in my opinion.

Caroline Smrstik's avatar

I did not know that coffee cake had a month, but upon reading this recipe I declare right now Coffee Cake Month.

Michael Procopio's avatar

Well I like to think it’s Coffee Cake Month in our hearts, regardless of its official status.

Jolene Handy's avatar

“Vinegar Month”!! I’m working on a piece right now that includes “The Joy of Cooking” coffee cake, may I link to your piece, Michael? (It also includes Entenmann’s 😉)

Michael Procopio's avatar

I would be DELIGHTED, Jolene.

Also, want to know who ate all the Entenmann’s at my house growing up? This guy right here.

Jolene Handy's avatar

Another reason to like you, Michael. 😉 and, thanks, I’ll tag you in my post.

Larissa Hennessy's avatar

Any ratio is good for me as I am the perhaps 5th person in the world who does not like coffee, but I can make this for the lemmings and shut them up for a bit.

Larissa Hennessy's avatar

Oh great I can try that

Michael Procopio's avatar

This could easily be re-branded as a tea cake, if that's more to your tastes.

Might be even better with tea, actually.

Amy Greer's avatar

My husband believes every month is Coffee Cake Month. And he will love this cake, so I must make it, though it will have to wait until June, the next Coffee Cake Month.

Michael Procopio's avatar

You've got a lot of competition next month competing with all those people celebrating weddings, Juneteenth, and the death of Ronald Reagan.

But I'm sure it'll be just as good then as now.

Jamie Schler's avatar

Your coffee cake is absolutely dazzling! We are a coffee cake family….my men prefer it to richer cakes. I used to make one or another quite often, though our favorite is a simple cake topped with streusel heavy with mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Yes, coffee cakes deserve a full month.

Michael Procopio's avatar

One thing I like about coffee cakes is you can toss whatever you want in them and think "This might just work!"

I have yet to come across a savory one, which is probably for the best.

Jamie Schler's avatar

Well, I’ve made savory loaf cakes and savory madeleines so why not?

Michael Procopio's avatar

A very good point you make there, JS.

Domenica Marchetti's avatar

This is right up my alley and some reason I have a glut of almond paste in my pantry (who doesn’t?!) so I shall be making it ❤️

Ruth Stroud's avatar

Sour cream coffee cakes were a staple at many a family gathering when I was growing up—often apple or plain. But this one with Amarena cherries and almond paste sounds like a winner. Definitely going in the “must try” file. Thanks, Michael!

Michael Procopio's avatar

I hope you like it. Fingers crossed!

Ruth Stroud's avatar

I’m sure I will, but I’ll let you know!🤗

Michael Procopio's avatar

I have to keep reminding myself that some people actually make my recipes in addition to reading the stories that go with them.

Good thing I’m a professional! 😉

Ruth Stroud's avatar

Ha ha! Well I do enjoy your stories too, but when a recipe hits a nerve I do want to give it a try. I imagine a lot of your readers do.

Michael Procopio's avatar

Well then I should take it as a good sign that no one's lodged a complaint yet.

Jay Floyd's avatar

You've had my address for seven days this month. That's all I'm sayin'.

Michael Procopio's avatar

Of course. I'm just trying to calculate how many Betty White stamps I'm gonna need to send it.

Jay Floyd's avatar

99 of course.

Betty Williams's avatar

Man oh man, this looks good. I might have to make this for myself this Mother's Day weekend! You have the best recipe directions, Michael. Always makes me laugh!

Michael Procopio's avatar

I write ‘em that way for two reasons: 1) To keep people reading and 2) So people can’t lift my recipes verbatim without it being completely obvious.

Also, I hope you like it!

Betty Williams's avatar

So smart! And I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it!

Michael Procopio's avatar

I hope so, I made it 3 times to get it right.

Sarah Clark's avatar

That recipe looks great and I should even be able to make it gluten-free. (As a passionate baker, I developed a severe allergy. Feh.)

However, the question on everybody’s lips: when is “meat cake” month?

Michael Procopio's avatar

Well, May is also National Beef Month and National Hamburger Month, so I think you could realistically get away with Meat Cake Month without anyone objecting too much.

Also, almond flour would be ideal (sorry I don't know the correct ratio)!

Sarah Clark's avatar

No worries, I have more (ingredient ratio) charts than a NASA engineer.