Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This is a breakfast favorite around here.  It can easily be doubled, although I typically don't do that for the sake of our waistlines. :)  The cake is soft and fluffy--in fact, I once used it for a white cake for my son's birthday--and the topping is *just right*...flavorful, but not overpowering.

2 c. flour
1 & 1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter
2 eggs
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine the first 4 dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

Add 2/3 c. butter (= 10 2/3 Tbsp)

Cut the butter into squares and blend into flour mixture by hand, or using a food processor/blender.

Now comes a very important step.  Remove 3/4 c. of the flour mixture and save it for later use in the recipe!

Next, measure out 2/3 c. milk.  Mix together with 2 eggs.  For the sake of fewer dishes, I measure out the milk, then add the eggs to the measuring cup and mix it up.

Then, pour the egg/milk mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients.

Stir just until combined and no dry spots remain.  The batter will be lumpy.

Pour it into an 8x8" pan. **You can double this recipe and use a 9x13" pan**

It's time to make the cinnamon topping!

Measure out the brown sugar and cinnamon and put them in a small bowl.

Mix it up well, making sure that the brown sugar is broken up into small pieces.

Spoon this mixture over the top of the batter in your pan.

Remember that 3/4 c. of reserved batter from early on in the recipe?

You are going to sprinkle the remaining dry batter over the top of the cinnamon sugar mixture.

With your oven preheated to 350 degrees, place the pan in the oven and allow it to bake for approximately 30 minutes.  (A slightly longer baking time is required for a doubled recipe.)  You'll know it's done when the coffee cake appears golden and the center doesn't "jiggle" when you move the pan.  If you want to really be certain, go ahead and stick a toothpick or a knife in the center of the cake to see if it comes out clean.

Allow the coffee cake to cool a little bit before slicing into it (although it's not always possible to wait!)
Once the coffee cake has cooled for a few minutes, go ahead and slice it and serve it up for a warm breakfast (or anytime) treat!