Cafeteria Favorite
DEAR SOS: I have been trying to find a coffeecake like the one that was served in the cafeteria throughout my primary school years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Please help me locate this recipe.
LATISHA SMITH
Los Angeles
DEAR LATISHA: The last time we ran this recipe was in 1998. We hope it’s the one you’re looking for.
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City Schools Sour Cream Coffeecake
Active Work Time: 30 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 1 1/2 hours
CAKE
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature, plus more for preparing pan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for preparing pan
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
Mix together the all-purpose and cake flours, the baking soda and baking powder in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy and light. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Add half the flour mixture, mixing just until the flour is blended. Blend in the sour cream, then the remaining flour mixture.
Spread half the batter carefully in the pan. Sprinkle with half the Topping and spread with the remaining batter. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining topping.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
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TOPPING
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
Mix together the flour, sugar, salt and walnuts. Add the butter in small pieces. Rub the butter in by hand until the mixture is crumbly. Be careful not to over-mix.
8 to 10 servings. Each of 10 servings: 506 calories; 389 mg sodium; 68 mg cholesterol; 27 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 62 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams protein; 1.41 grams fiber.
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Send requests to Culinary SOS, Food Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or e-mail to: cindy.dorn@latimes.com. Please include your last name and city of residence for publication. Include restaurant address when requesting recipes from restaurants.