"Coffee cakes rank among the most popular of comfort foods, welcomed at breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and as the name indicates, coffee breaks. A coffee cake batter is generally more liquid than a quick bread one and contains a bit more sugar, and as a result, the final product is lighter and moister. On the other hand, coffee cakes tend to be less sweet than butter cakes. There are many versions of kuchen, this streusel-topped sour cream type being a very popular one. It is commonly served at the meal following Yom Kippur, or Shavuot, and on Sabbath afternoons or the melaveh malcha ("accompanying the queen") party following the Sabbath. For the later occasion, spices are added to the batter and topping, reflecting those used during the havdallah ceremony signaling the end of the Sabbath...."
INGREDIENTS
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1/2 cup granulated or brown sugar, or 1/4 cup each
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/8 teaspoon salt
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1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cloves (optional)
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1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
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1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, grated coconut, golden raisins, or chocolate chips, or 1 cup any combination (optional)
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
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1 cup granulated or brown sugar or 1/2 cup each
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4 large egg yolks, or 3 large eggs
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1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream or plain yogurt
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)
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1 cup confectioners' sugar
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
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1 to 2 tablespoons milk or water