Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Patrick was just promoted to Senior Engineer at work, and I am so proud of him. As is customary when you get a promotion, Patrick wanted to bring in some food to share with everyone. He was planning to just pick up some Krispy Kremes, but I couldn't have that. After determining that a sweet breakfast-type item would be best, I turned to my Betty Crocker Cookbook. I didn't want to make something too complicated because I needed to triple the recipe. And because it was for Patrick, I figured it ought to have chocolate in it. This coffee cake was originally titled Streusel Coffee Cake, and it listed raisins as an optional ingredient. I hate raisins, but chocolate chips can easily be substituted, and Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake was born. The recipe as follows is for a single batch, however, I made three. Patrick messaged me this morning to let me know that everyone is enjoying it. And apparently, he plugged my little blog when he sent out the email letting everyone know that there's food at his desk, and I think about half of all the visitors to this page have stopped by today as a result of that plug. Thanks, dear! So I thought I'd give a shout out to all of Patrick's coworkers and say thanks for stopping by to visit. I hope you all enjoyed the coffee cake.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Cake:

• 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 3/4 C granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 C milk
• 1/4 C oil
• 3/4 C chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

• 3 Tbs dark brown sugar
• 1 Tbs granulated sugar
• 2 Tbs all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbs chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 C pecan pieces

Preheat oven to 375°.

To make cake: Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and make a well in the center.

In another bowl, mix egg, milk, oil, and vanilla.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture.

Stir together until just combined and then stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a greased 8x8" pan.

To make topping: Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon to a food processor or blender and pulse to combine.

Add butter.

Pulse until mixture looks like course meal.

Pour sugar mixture into a clean bowl and stir in pecans.

Sprinkle topping evenly over cake.

Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.