From Our Family Kitchen
Recipes, Memories & Traditions
A collection of family recipes passed down through generations — handwritten cards, well-loved dishes, kitchen memories, and the stories of the people who made them.
Mom's Coffee Cake
Family Recipe
Cake
1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sour milk
2 tablespoons melted oleo
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon nutmeg and cinnamon
Topping
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted oleo
Method
Mix dry ingredients. Mix egg and sugar. Alternate milk and dry ingredients into the egg-and-sugar mixture. Pour in melted oleo and mix well. Combine topping ingredients and spread over the cake.
Bake at 350°F for ½ to 1 hour, or until done.
Family note: 1 tablespoon vinegar added to 1 cup milk may be used to make sour milk.
Chef John’s Modern Kitchen Version
Mom’s Coffee Cake
Ingredients
-
1 large egg
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
½ teaspoon baking soda
-
2 teaspoons baking powder
-
½ teaspoon cinnamon
-
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
-
1 cup buttermilk
or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Topping
-
½ cup brown sugar
-
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
2 teaspoons cinnamon
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
-
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until well combined.
-
Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to the egg mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
-
Stir in the melted butter just until combined.
-
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
-
Mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter for the topping.
-
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter.
-
Bake for about 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Let cool slightly before serving.
Chef’s Note
The original family recipe uses “oleo,” the older kitchen term commonly used for margarine. This updated version uses butter while keeping the flavor profile and preparation close to the original.
​
Dad’s World Famous Griddle Cakes
Family Recipe
Ingredients
-
2½ cups flour
-
4½ teaspoons baking powder
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
2 cups milk
-
1 tablespoon ALAGA syrup
-
2 eggs, beaten
Method
Sift dry ingredients together.
In a seperate bowl, blend the milk, syrup, and eggs together
Mix in the dry ingredients just until smooth leaving any tiny lumps as they are.
Cover and let rest 30 miutes or so.
​
Heat the old family cast-iron skillet until a bead of water dances when dropped.
Ligtly grease the skillet with butter or oil spray.
Drop full 1/4 cups of batter in skillet do not crowd.
As soon as you see bubbles appear on th cakes, turn over and cook for only a minute or so be careful not to burn.
Stack the cooked cakes on a plate, serve with Alaga syrup and butter ..Enjoy this sweet treat!!
​
Chef John’s Modern Kitchen Version
Mom’s Coffee Cake
Ingredients
-
1 large egg
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
½ teaspoon baking soda
-
2 teaspoons baking powder
-
½ teaspoon cinnamon
-
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
-
1 cup buttermilk
or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Topping
-
½ cup brown sugar
-
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
2 teaspoons cinnamon
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
-
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until well combined.
-
Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to the egg mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
-
Stir in the melted butter just until combined.
-
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
-
Mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter for the topping.
-
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter.
-
Bake for about 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Let cool slightly before serving.
Chef’s Note
The original family recipe uses “oleo,” the older kitchen term commonly used for margarine. This updated version uses butter while keeping the flavor profile and preparation close to the original.
​