Coffee Cake with Hot Chocolate

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the cake out later. This takes about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, prepare the streusel topping. Whisk together 3/4 cup of the all-purpose flour, the packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. This should take about 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add the 1/4 cup of cold, cubed butter to the streusel mixture. Using your fingertips, a fork, or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Do not overmix. Set aside in the refrigerator to keep cold. This step takes about 4 minutes.

4. 4

   In a separate medium bowl, prepare the dry ingredients for the cake batter. Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside. This takes about 2 minutes.

5. 5

   In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the 1/2 cup of softened butter and the granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. 6

   Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla extract. This step takes about 2 minutes.

7. 7

   Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the dry ingredient mixture in three additions, alternating with the sour cream in two additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined; a few streaks of flour remaining is okay. Do not overmix. This takes about 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the entire surface of the batter. This takes about 3 minutes.

9. 9

   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The top should be golden brown.

10. 10

    Let the coffee cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cake to set properly.