I grew up in an east Texas traditional Catholic family: a fabulous cooking mom, a dad that insisted we try everything, one funny brother and three very unique sisters. I’m number four in the line-up. This Christmas apron with it’s muted pink holly berries and kelly green leaves inspired me to make the ultimate Sunday breakfast food just like my mom made. One that I want to make a Christmas morning tradition in my own home.
Sunday morning: Mom would come upstairs where the five children were tucked in our three bedrooms. Up and at’em and off to the (one) kid’s bathroom to get ready for mass. With all of us crammed into one bathroom, fighting for a sink, hair dryers running, hairspray flying (in east Texas, we loved our hairspray), the chaos was immense. By the time you escaped the bathroom, threw on your church clothes and ran downstairs you were overcome by the heavenly scent of coffee cake. It was such a relief to belly up to the table and indulge in the most delicious, yet simple, morning treat. It was usually accompanied by some crisp bacon and/or sausage and a cold glass of milk.
This recipe reminds me of the wonderful, although sometimes hectic, memories that happen around the breakfast table. My son is just a baby, but I know we want the same for him. The coffee cake reminds me to have more meals around the table with my own family. This is where my mom and dad attempted to instill manners, teach me the power of being an adventurous eater and show their love and support….just by listening. Merry Christmas.
Christmas Morning Coffee Cake
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup Butter Flavored Crisco
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Use a whisk to ensure there are no lumps.
Remove a 1/2 cup of the flour mixture and set aside.
Then if you have a food processor, place your pastry blender and “cut in” the Crisco until the flour mixture is combined. If you do not have a food processor use a standard mixer or good ole’ fashion elbow grease.
Add milk and beaten egg into flour mixture.
Place into a 8X8 pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the reserved flour mixture on top of the batter.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Marge Von Lehmden works as a sales representative but her passion is cooking! She is a Kappa that hails from east Texas but has fallen in love with a slower life in Savannah where she resides with her college sweetheart husband and well fed baby boy.
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excellents recipes congratulations. You´re a incredible person thanks for share us the recipes........really love ypur recipes
By lucy ortiz on December 21, 2011
Love your recipes.
By Anonymous on December 16, 2011
Sitting in front of my computer on a day that will be 104degrees reading your Christmas Coffee Cake recipe makes me start thinking of cold weather and gooooood food. This one will be a great one. Thanks you little ol’ Texas sweety you.
Patricia
By Patricia on August 13, 2010
I was going through my email inbox to clean it out and realized I never opened your email. This is a wonderful story and I can picture the “Cussen crew” getting ready for church and running around like crazy! This put a smile on my face and I can’t wait to try out your mom’s recipe. Love you girl:)
By Suzanne Shelton on February 01, 2010
As they say in East Texas “I’m proud to know you”!
love & prayers,
Mom
By Patricia Cussen on December 29, 2009
Such a fabulous story! Thank you for sharing this….I will be trying this with my family this Christmas morning!
By Mary Beth on December 21, 2009
Marge,
Being your family neighbor and friend I know all you said is true. I’m still benenfiting from your Mom’s receipes, The Blue Plate Cookbook.
I’m now waiting for second generation cooking creations from you.
You go girl!!!
By Jane Hoover on December 21, 2009
Great story, I can just imagine what it was like at your house.
Thanks for sharing the story and recipe. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Marie
By Marie Crowe on December 20, 2009
Love the east Texas story!! need to try this cake!
By donna rosenblatt on December 19, 2009
you crack me up girl! i might just try this out in east manhattan!!
By sarah on December 17, 2009
Sounds amazing! Cannot wait to try it.
By Jessica on December 16, 2009
Marge,
What a wonderful story and recipe. Love you lots.
Eric
By Eric Von Lehmden on December 16, 2009
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Join Paula, Bobby and Jamie for a book signing at the Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah from 2 to 4 pm. Only 350 tickets will be given out starting 1 hour before the book signing. No cameras permitted; a professional photographer will be on site to take your photo.
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Join Paula and Bobby for a book signing at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House in Savannah from 10 am to 12 pm. Trolley service available in Johnson Square from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Only 350 tickets will be given out starting 1 hour before the book signing. No cameras permitted; a professional photographer will be on site to take your photo.
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