Breakfast cake anyone?

Growing up my siblings and I would have what we called breakfast cake on rare and special occasions. To most of the world it is known as coffee cake. But no! Not to any child calling themselves a Mygrant. No sir! This here is breakfast cake! 'Nough said, lets cook!

The base for this most wonder way to start the day is simply 1 muffin recipe. Use your favorite muffin recipe, but forgo including nutmeg or fruit. I like to use the one found in The Joy of Cooking. Sweet, moist, fluffy and simple. Make sure it's one you like or it will be all for not. For comparison this makes 12 standard sizes muffins. If your cooking for a bigger crowd be sure to increase your recipe by a half or double it. I usually make a single recipe of muffins but I think 1.5 of a recipe would have worked better for the pan I was using today.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease one 9x13in pan. After assembling your ingredients and making your muffin base place it in the pan. Set aside

The secret to a good breakfast cake is in the topping. This is where your patience is needed the most! If you don't crumble for long enough it will be dry and unpleasant. This takes time and do not expect to master it in the first go. Mix together 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup white sugar, and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Cut in 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold to room temperature butter. Continue to cut in until it resembles a course mill.

This part is, in my opinion, the most difficult. It take endurance and patience. Here is what the process looks like...

Cutting in...

still cutting in...

Done!

The trick is to keep cutting and stirring till it starts to shimmer and there are no more dull  parts. The photos don't show the shimmer very well, but trust me you will know is when you see it.

Spread on top of the muffin dough by the spoonful all the way to the edges of the pan, careful to not mix it in. Nothing is worse then a naked piece of breakfast cake.

Use your spoon of a fork to push some of the topping into the muffin dough. This will create pockets of cinnamon goodness that everyone will fight over.

Bake for 25-30 minuets in a 350 F oven.

Enjoy!