Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Little Eggnog Crumb Cakes from Cleo Coyle


Marc and I always look forward to the flavors of the holiday season, including (and especially) eggnog. Tender and rich, these little cakes magically capture the rich and beautiful flavor of eggnog. They are superb paired with coffee, which makes them a lovely breakfast treat, a satisfying afternoon snack, and even a delight on dessert and party trays, especially during these December holidays. 

Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah (which begins at sundown this evening) or Christmas, which is fast on its way, we wish you peace, love, joy...and happy feasting! ~ Cleo 

Now let's start baking...



Cleo Coyle has a partner in
crime-writing—her husband.
Learn about their books
by clicking here and here.


A Note from Cleo

Our readers may remember a version of this recipe from our Coffeehouse Mystery Holiday Buzz, a fun and festive read for the holiday season. Our amateur sleuth (coffeehouse manger Clare) finds a body after catering a glittering Christmas party and is quickly pulled into a case that once again puts her on the path to solving more than one New York mystery. 

To see more of the recipes we featured in Holiday Buzz, click here for the Free Recipe Guide.

To learn more
or download the Free
Recipe Guide, click here.
As for these little cakes, they are delicious and addictive. Frankly, Marc and I find it hard to stop eating them. In this version of the recipe, you may notice I use the crumb mixture in two layers. The top layer, of course, creates a crunchy, sweet streusel. The layer in the center is there for another reason--and not striation. Instead, it magically melts into the batter, keeping the cupcake crumb extra-moist during the high-heat baking (which is necessary for the proper rise). The nutmeg in the crumb mixture also boosts the flavor, both inside and on top of the little cakes. 

Now let's get to it: festive cupcakes for the feasting season. May you bake with love and eat with joy to the world! 

☕ ~ Cleo Coyle, author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries



🍴

To download this recipe in a PDF
document that you can print,
save, or share, click here.

Click here for the
Free Recipe PDF

Cleo Coyle's Little 
Eggnog Crumb Cakes

Makes 6 cupcakes 

For the crumb topping

1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of baking powder
2-1/2 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For the cupcakes

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup white, granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten with fork
1/3 cup eggnog
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, spoon into cup and level off

Step 1—Make crumb topping: First preheat your oven to 375° F. Make the crumb topping. (See directions at the end of this recipe.) Set the crumb topping into the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the batter.

Step 2—Mix batter: Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and two sugars in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg, eggnog, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract, and blend well. Finally, add the flour and mix only until a smooth, thick batter forms. (The flour should be completely incorporated into the batter, but do not over-mix at this stage or you'll develop the gluten in the flour and your muffins will be tough instead of tender.) 


Step 3—Prep for baking: Line 6 cups of a non-stick cupcake pan with paper liners. Place a dollop of the thick batter into each cup...


Sprinkle a light layer of crumb topping over each of the dollops. (This interior layer of crumb mixture will melt into the cakes, keeping them moist during the high-heat baking.)


Add the rest of the batter, dividing evenly among the 6 cups. Top the batter with the all of the remaining crumb mixture. 


Step 4—Bake and cool: Bake for 20 minutes in your well-pre-heated 375° F. oven. Do not over-bake. The crumb cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into a test cake comes out clean of wet batter. Like all cookies and cakes, these Little Eggnog Cakes are delicate when hot and will fall apart if roughly handled. So please do allow them to cool a bit before handling and serving, and they’ll set up just fine. Then start that pot of coffee and get ready to eat with pure joy!










How to Make Crumb Topping





Crumb topping is easy to make with or without a food processor. I'm sharing both methods below...


To prepare with a food processor: 


Place all “crumb topping” ingredients inside the food processor and pulse until you see coarse crumbs. Take care not to over-work the mixture. You do not want chunks of wet dough, just coarse crumbs. NOTE: If you over-process the topping into dough, all is not lost. You can correct the mistake by adding flour 1 tablespoon at time and pulsing until you see crumbs. Now set the crumb topping into the refrigerator to chill while you make the batter. FYI: You can store the finished crumb topping in a plastic container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.


To mix by hand: 


In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, nutmeg and pinch of baking powder. Add the cubes of cold butter and using clean fingers squeeze and rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture turns into coarse crumbs. Any large lumps should be worked on until the mixture resembles the coarse crumbs in my photos. NOTE: If you over-work the topping into dough, all is not lost. You can correct the mistake by working in more flour, 1 tablespoon at time, until you see crumbs. Set aside in the refrigerator to chill while you make the batter. FYI: You can store the finished crumb topping in a plastic container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.



Click here for the
Free Recipe PDF

Happy Holidays, 
Everyone!

☕ ☕ ☕


Eat with joy to the world!

~ Cleo Coyle

New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries 


Alice and Marc in Central Park. 
Together we write as Cleo Coyle. 

Learn more about us here.
Friend us on facebook here.
Follow us on twitter here.
Visit our online coffeehouse here.


🎄   🎄 


Holiday BuzzA Coffeehouse 
Holiday Mystery!

To buy now, click links for... 


With Recipes for
Holiday Cookies and
Festive food and drinks...

To learn more about
the book, click here


☕  ☕  ☕

"ARE YOU READY?"

READY FOR WHAT?

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Our newest Coffeehouse Mystery is
now a bestseller in hardcover!


Top 10 Best Mysteries
for Book Clubs 2017

A "Most Wanted"
Mystery Guild Selection


To buy now, click links for... 


🍴

This culinary mystery includes
more than 25 delicious recipes!
To get the Free Recipe Guide, 

CLICK HERE.


☕ ☕ ☕


The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling
works of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the
16 titles includes the added bonus of recipes. 


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 Cleo's next release!

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Marc and I also write
The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

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books and meet Jack Shepard, 
our PI ghost...



 





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8 comments:

  1. I am really looking forward to trying this recipe. I have an Aunt who cannot eat chocolate and this will be the perfect recipe for her, for our holiday get together. A comment about making the crumb mixture. You indicate using a fork or a food processor. A pastry blender (used to make pie dough) would work too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like eggnog, but find I've had enough after a few sips. This looks like a great way to enjoy the flavor without being overwhelmed.
    Fascinating that the crumbs in the middle disappear. Magic?
    I can see a touch of rum or rum flavoring added in here.

    Seasonal joy to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cleo, how do you ever get any writing done (and I know you many projects running simultooniously) when you're testing and creating so many recipes to share?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't even explain how much I love eggnog! I put it in all kinds of things... French toast, coffee, hot chocolate, pancakes. Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your holiday mysteries and reread one of them every season. Thank you for the fantastic recipe, I'll be baking two batches of these for our office party next week. Have a very happy holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not a fan of eggnog but am a big fan of your books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks like a delicious holiday recipe. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dianne, Libby, Nora, Amanda, Cindi, Kathleen, and Tina:

    Thank you all for dropping by the Kitchen today--and taking the time to comment. Marc and I appreciate it, and we sincerely wish you all a joyous holiday season!

    xoxo

    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter
    www.CleoCoyleRecipes.com

    ReplyDelete