Soul Food Saturday

This year for my mother’s birthday I decided to bring the party to her. Her having to work on her birthday wasn’t going to stop the celebration or in anyway slow it down. I took it upon myself to deliver this fresh baked out of the oven coffee cake to lift her birthday spirits, and share a pick me up with others in the office. Let them eat cake, celebrate a birthday, and have coffee on a work day! Grab a big fork, a cup of your favorite coffee, and a friend. Because this is a party, and everything sweet is best shared with a friend!

Cinnamon Cranberry Coffee Cake

Package yellow cake mix

1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix

3 eggs

1 c. sour cream

½ c. vegetable oil

1 c. dried cranberries

½ c. brown sugar

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray 9”x13” pan with non stick butter spray. In a large bowl, add the cake mix and pudding mix, stir to combine, and remove lumps. Add the eggs, sour cream and oil. Mix until well blended. In a small bowl combine the sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Then place cranberries in a layer over the batter. Then sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remaining batter over the top. Then finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven. Then cover top with foil sprayed with non stick spray so as not to stick to topping. It will keep the top from over browning. Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes until toothpick will come out clean, and top will be golden brown. Allow to cool 15- 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with coffee, or at room temperature. Either way you choose, you’ll want more than one slice.