Pumpkin Coffee Cake

I have a box of Trader Joe's pumpkin pancake mix. I'm not a pancake fan so wanted to try using it in some other way. A google search found this recipe, courtsey of Krusteaz. I've used their buttermilk pancake mix ~ it's actually very good. So, I was low on sugar so only used 1/3 cup in the batter and it wasn't missed. Made it yesterday and it's almost gone, and there are only two of us home!

CINNAMON STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE

FOR THE STREUSEL:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
FOR THE BATTER:
2 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

FOR STREUSEL:
In small bowl, stir together flour, sugars, nuts and cinnamon. Cut in butter or margarine with fork or pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.

FOR THE BATTER:
Place mix, milk and sugar in medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until blended. Add egg and butter or margarine. Continue to mix on low speed until mixture is blended.

Spoon half of batter into a lightly greased 8x8x2-inch pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle half of streusel topping evenly over batter. Spoon remaining batter over streusel layer. Sprinkle remaining streusel over batter.

Bake 32-36 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Serve warm.

VARIATIONS:

SOUR CREAM APRICOT COFFEE CAKE:
Prepare cinnamon streusel coffee cake batter as directed, substituting 3/4 cup sour cream for the milk and adding 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots. Assemble batter and streusel topping as directed. Bake at 350 degrees F 38-42 minutes.

APPLE CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE:
Prepare cinnamon streusel coffee cake batter as directed, substituting 3/4 cup sour cream for the milk and adding 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1, peeled and chopped apple. Assemble batter and streusel topping as directed. Bake at 350 degrees F 38-42 minutes.

BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE:
Prepare cinnamon streusel coffee cake batter as directed, adding 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries. Assemble batter and streusel topping as directed. Bake at 350 degrees F 40-45 minutes.

Makes 9 servings
Source: Krusteaz

Click here to view: http://www.recipelink.com/cgi/msgbrd/msg_script.pl?getmsg=1&board=2&thread=21835

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

This came from I am baker's blog. looks yummy

see lemon cupcake recipe for buttercream

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup soft butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• Nuts, if desired

Instructions

1. In stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed.
2. Lower speed and add in eggs, one at a time.
3. Add in shredded zucchini.
4. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cocoa.
5. Gradually add to zucchini mixture, beating well.
6. Add in milk, vanilla, and nuts. Beat.
7. Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.