There's something about the change in temperature from summer to fall that always rejuvenates my desire to bake. I love to bake. I don't bake nearly as much as I used to. I wonder why? As I've been reading others blogs this weekend, including Holly's, I can't stop thinking about baking.

My entire family loves to cook. My maternal grandmother Maurine Moore was the best. She was always trying new recipes and sharing them with all of us. They weren't fancy recipes, just good, wholesome, Iowa food. She had this closet filled with canned goods and groceries. When we'd come to visit, she'd go to the closet and pull out this or that and say "Now I thought you'd like to try this recipe."

So, several years ago, her three daughters--Marilyn, Sheri (my mom), and Judy--took the time to pull together all of family recipes. Each of these women are excellent cooks in their own right as well.



So, today I want to share just one recipe that is always great, never fails, and comforts me when I need it!

Spanish Coffeecake (and we have no idea why it's called this...but we keep using the name!)
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup cooking oil
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten

In mixing bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Make a well in the center of mixture; add oil. Stir well to mix. Mixture will be crumbly. Remove 1 cup of the flour mixture for the topping; set aside. To the remaining flour mixture stir in soda and baking powder. Add buttermilk and egg, stirring just until moistened. Spread batter in greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with reserved topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

If you decide you want to purchase a cookbook for yourself, just call my aunt Judy at her store, Home Sweet Home, in St. Ansgar, Iowa, and she'll take care of you. (641/713-4698; call between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST).