Coffee + Cake = YUM

The morning began like any other... a lovely cup o joe, some silly convo with The Chef and the rumbling in our tummies.

   We haven't been cooking at. all. around these parts these days. Its been a 109 on a good day, and 115 others, so warming up the house for any type of treat has been totally out of the question.
   
   But today Mother Nature took it easy on us and with temps in the 70s this morning we jumped on the chance to make the first recipe in the Apron Strings series!

We hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for pan
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. Place rack in center of oven, and heat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly brush a 9-by-12 1/2-inch baking pan with canola oil, dust with flour, and tap to remove excess. Set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together egg, milk, canola oil, and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.
2. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour melted butter over flour mixture, and toss with a rubber spatula until large crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over batter.
3. Transfer pan to oven, and bake, rotating pan after 10 minutes. Continue baking until a cake tester comes out clean, about 10 minutes more.
4. Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Using a serrated knife or bench scraper, cut into 3-inch squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Do you have a recipe you want to see featured in Apron Strings? Just email it {along with why it is so special to you} to tawny76@cox.net

Be good to each other!