Memories of LAUSD's coffee cake
From Naush Boghossian's report:
Public school districts generally aren't known for serving dynamite food, but Los Angeles Unified is generating buzz in its kitchens after a blogger last month noted a tasty treat the district has done right for decades: The Old Fashioned Coffee Cake.
Thousands of students recall the warm, cinnamony cake LAUSD introduced on campuses 54 years ago, and they are scouring the Internet to get their hands on the recipe.
Read the story. Or get the recipe below.
For the Cake:
3 3/4 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 C. plus 2 Tbs. Non-fat dry milk
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbs. vinegar
1 1/2 C. water
1 C. plus 2 Tbs. oil
1 C. sugar
1 1/4 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
For the Topping:
3/4 C. plus 3 Tbs. All-purpose flour
1/4 C. plus 1 Tbs. brown sugar, packed
1/4 C. sugar
dash of salt
1/4 plus 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 plus 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 C. salad oil
For the cake :
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, dry milk, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Combine vinegar and water in a measuring cup, Set aside.
4. In mixer bowl, blend together the oil, brown sugar and granulated sugar on low speed for 1 minute.
5. Add eggs and continue to blend on low speed for 1 minute.
6. While mixer is on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the water/vinegar mixture tot he oil/sugar mixture. Scrape down the bowl and blend on medium speed for 1 additional minute.
7. Evenly divide batter between two greased 9x9 pans. Sprinkle 3/4 C. topping evenly over the batter in each pan. (See directions below for topping.)
8. Bake until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center of cake. Approximately, 45-55 minutes.
Directions for topping:
1. In mixer bowl, combine all ingredients except oil. Blend on low speed for 1 minute.
2. Add oil gradually and continue to blend until topping is crumbly.
Comments
Hi Paul, Hi Toni!
I'm the one that asked for the brown sugar quantity. I made the cake and it was so, so delicious!! My husband and I grew up in East LA in the 70's and we were lucky to have been able to eat it for about 8-9 years. Boy, did it bring back very good memories of eating the cake and drinking chocolate milk at nutrition time. Took some to work and my co-workers (couple of them grew up in Carson, one in San Pedro, and one in Inglewood)were so happy, that they were all talking (shouting really) and laughing (with their mouths full) all at once, about their memories and how good it tasted!! Appreciate the prompt reply Paul, Thanks again!!!
Posted by: jan | February 12, 2008 7:17 PM
thank you, thank you Paul!!!
Posted by: jan | February 9, 2008 5:09 PM
Jan, just add 1 1/4 cups of brown sugar. The recipe should be updated now. Let us know how they turn out!
Posted by: Paul Clinton | February 5, 2008 6:59 PM
SO TONI, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET THE BROWN SUGAR AMOUNT FOR THE CAKE PART OF THE LAUSD COFFEE CAKE?
Posted by: JAN | February 5, 2008 6:13 PM