Rustic Cinnamon Molasses Coffee Cake

Some mornings I love to start out the day with a cup of hot coffee and something sweet. When I was a child, my mother used to whip up the best coffee cakes for breakfast- they were delicious. Coffee cakes are very simple to make- just a few simple ingredients- I don't even get out the electric mixer- just stir it up in one bowl. This morning I was in a coffee cake mood - I decided to make one of my simple favorites. Rustic Cinnamon Molasses Coffee Cake. Now, I call it rustic because, when I make a nice simple recipe like this I imagine old fashioned country livin' women, throughout the past, mixing up a simple cake like this. The whole wheat and molasses give it a hearty old fashioned taste, nothing fancy- just good and real. Here is my recipe.

Rustic Cinnamon Molasses Coffee Cake

1 c. white flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
2 big twists of the sea salt grinder ( or a pinch or two of regular salt)
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1c. milk
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg beaten
1/3 c. oil
top with sugar in the raw

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a bowl mix up dry ingredients, then to the same bowl add all of the wet ingredients, mix until everything is well incorporated, batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour into a greased (I just use pan spray) round pan - a cake pan or a pie pan will do just fine. Top with a good sprinkling of Sugar in the Raw. Bake at 375 F. Check at 25 minutes- cake will take about half an hour but could be a few minutes more or less - knife in center should comeout clean.

Variations- You could switch the molasses for some fresh blueberries, or dried chopped dates, or chopped apples- what ever sounds good to you. Perfect with tea or coffee. The kids love to have a warmed up piece after school as well.

And a side note about my coffee- I used to spend quite a bit purchasing fancy coffee from the local Starbucks and other coffee shops- I was convinced that all other coffee was undrinkable- I'm from Oregon, what can I say. The amount of money both my husband and I were spending was unacceptable for our frugal budget. Then one evening my mother in law came over for dinner, and brought a coffee maker and some Folgers and made a pot of coffee-it smelled good so I tasted it, and it wasn't bad. Then I remembered as a child this is all anyone would drink- I know, because I was in charge of making endless pots for my mom, and stepdad, and gram, as well as my aunt and uncles who would come visiting throughout the day. It was just fine for them. I have heard wonderful stories of hubby's Great Grandma Florence making coffee by boiling grounds on the stovetop or in the old percolator and using real cream fresh from the farmer. Anyway- Sue, my mother in law, said I could keep the coffee maker as well as the rest of the Folgers, since I liked the coffee -Thanks Sue:) - So now for over a month I have been brewing my own coffee, and it tastes just fine. I like my coffee with a little lowfat milk in it, and to add a litle sweet cream flavor,and for fun, I top it with some whip cream. I have saved a ton of money.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week- we have been having beautiful sunshine- what a wonderful time of year!!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)