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Calico Crumb Cake
This recipe is adapted from Better Homes & Gardens Pies and Cakes, 1972 edition.
Notes:
Sift the flour, then measure out the amount called for in the recipe.
To toast the walnuts: arrange walnuts in single layer on baking sheet. Bake in center rack in preheated 350°F oven until fragrant and golden, 7 to 10 minutes, shaking pan halfway through baking to redistribute pecans. Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack and cool pecans completely before chopping.
About This Recipe
| Yield: | 12 |
| Active time: | 30 minutes |
| Total time: | 2 hours |
| Special equipment: | 13- by 9-inch cake pan, parchment paper or heavy-duty foil, microwave, sifter, electric mixer, rubber spatula, cooling racks |
| This recipe appears in: | Let Them Eat: Calico Crumb Cake |
Ingredients
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped (See notes)
- For the Cake:
- Baking spray
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour (See Notes)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Procedures
-
1
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13- by 9-inch cake pan with baking spray. Line pan with parchment paper or heavy-duty foil lengthwise with one sheet, then crosswise with a second sheet to create a sling; spray once again with baking spray.
-
2
For the topping: Combine flour and brown sugar in medium bowl. Using two dinner knives, cut in butter until mixture is resembles wet sand. Stir in nuts; set aside.
-
3
For the cake: Place chocolate in small bowl and microwave until smooth and melted, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping microwave to stir chocolate every 30 seconds. Set aside and allow to cool.
-
4
Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. Add butter and beat on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute (mixture will be crumbly).
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5
In small bowl, beat together eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium-low speed, add egg mixture in slow steady stream. Beat just until combined. Pause mixer, scrape sides and bottom of bowl, then beat mixture on medium-high speed until thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds.
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6
Transfer 1 cup batter to medium bowl. Stir in melted and cooled chocolate.
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7
Scrape plain batter into prepared baking pan. Dollop chocolate batter on top of batter.
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8
Run a knife through cake batter to create a marble swirl. Sprinkle evenly with sugar-walnut mixture.
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9
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer cake to cooling rack and cool in pan 10 minutes. Pull cake out onto a cooling rack using the parchment sling and cool completely, about 1 hour. Serve.
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