Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

🍰 Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake 🍰

History:
Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a delightful and classic dessert that has been cherished by many for generations. It’s a beloved family recipe that originated from Aunt Nelda herself, known for her incredible baking skills and a passion for sharing her love through delicious treats. While the exact origin is not documented in culinary history, it’s the kind of recipe passed down through families, often with minor variations that make each version unique.

Components:

1. Cream Cheese Filling: This cake’s signature element is the cream cheese filling. It’s a mixture of cream cheese, sugar, and sometimes eggs, which adds a rich and tangy layer to the cake.

2. Coffee Cake Base: The base is typically a moist and slightly dense cake that can include ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, eggs, baking powder, and vanilla extract.

3. Streusel Topping: Many variations of Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake include a streusel topping, which typically consists of a mixture of sugar, flour, butter, and sometimes cinnamon. This adds a crunchy, sweet layer to the cake.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients, including cream cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and any optional ingredients like cinnamon or nuts.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese with sugar and eggs (if required) until it’s smooth and creamy. Set it aside.

3. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

4. Layer the Cake: In a greased baking pan, spread half of the cake batter evenly. Then, add the cream cheese filling on top, spreading it out to cover the cake layer.

5. Add the Remaining Batter: Carefully spread the remaining cake batter on top of the cream cheese filling. This might require a bit of finesse, as the batter is thicker due to the cream cheese layer.

6. Create the Streusel Topping: If you’re using a streusel topping, combine the sugar, flour, and butter until it forms a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this topping over the cake.

7. Bake: Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 350°F or 175°C) and bake the cake for about 35-45 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool before serving. It’s often served at room temperature or slightly warm.

Time Needed:
The preparation time for Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake may vary depending on your baking skills, but it typically takes around 15-20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and mix the batter. Baking time usually falls within the 35-45 minute range. Overall, you can expect to spend approximately 1 to 1.5 hours from start to finish, including baking and cooling time.

Enjoy Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake! It’s a delicious and heartwarming treat that’s perfect for gatherings, special occasions, or simply as a delightful dessert to savor with a cup of coffee. ☕🍰😋

Certainly, here’s some nutrition and health information for Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate values per serving):

• Calories: Around 350-450 calories per serving (varies depending on portion size and specific recipe).
• Total Fat: Approximately 20-25 grams.
• Saturated Fat: Around 10-12 grams.
• Cholesterol: Approximately 60-80 milligrams.
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-50 grams.
• Sugar: Varies, but can be high due to sugar content in cream cheese filling and streusel topping.
• Protein: About 5-7 grams.
• Dietary Fiber: Negligible.
• Sodium: Around 200-300 milligrams.

Health Information:

1. Caloric Content: Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a delicious but calorie-dense dessert. The calorie count can vary significantly based on portion size and specific recipe variations. It’s important to consume it in moderation to avoid excessive calorie intake.

2. Saturated Fat: The cake contains a notable amount of saturated fat, primarily from the butter and cream cheese. High consumption of saturated fat can contribute to heart health concerns, so it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat.

3. Sugar: This coffee cake is sweet due to the sugar content in the cream cheese filling, cake batter, and streusel topping. High sugar intake can lead to weight gain and other health issues. Limiting your sugar consumption is advised.

4. Protein: While the cake does provide some protein, it’s not a significant source. It’s important to complement your diet with more protein-rich foods for overall nutrition.

5. Dietary Fiber: The cake is generally low in dietary fiber, as it doesn’t contain whole grains or significant sources of fiber. A diet rich in fiber is essential for digestive health.

6. Cholesterol: The cake may contain a moderate amount of cholesterol, primarily from the eggs and cream cheese. If you have specific dietary restrictions or concerns about cholesterol, consider reducing your portion size.

7. Sodium: Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake typically contains a moderate amount of sodium. If you have high blood pressure or need to watch your sodium intake, be mindful of the overall salt content in your diet.

In summary, while Aunt Nelda’s Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is a delicious treat, it’s not a particularly healthy option due to its high sugar and saturated fat content. It’s best enjoyed in moderation and as an occasional indulgence rather than as a regular part of a balanced diet. If you have specific dietary concerns or health goals, consider making or seeking out a healthier version with reduced sugar and saturated fat. 🍰📊