Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Naturally, I love my mom for many reasons. There is so much to love!

One of things that she does super well is cook. One of the best things she makes is a heavenly chocolate chip coffee cake. I have had it since childhood. I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not know about it and I don’t want to think of my life without it!

I traveled this week to North Carolina to spend some time with her. While traveling to see her, I started pondering the significance of the chocolate chip coffee cake and its impact to our family. It may sound silly at first, but there is a legitimate story to the cake.

In the recorded interview (see end of post for audio), Grandma Irene talks about how she first learned about the cake, the first time she made it, and the people she shared it with. We also have a few laughs just being silly. At 81 years, she still has a terrific silliness and a fun sense of humor.

We also discussed that the coffee cake recipe has been passed down now to 5 generations and counting. It is such a nice way to connect the past to the present and the future. It is also a way to send love through time. My family is very big on food as a catalyst for family. Most major things we do center around good food.

All of my children LOVE the coffee cake. I asked her during the interview if she had ever had anyone tell her they did not like the cake. Listen to hear her answer.

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THE INTERVIEW AUDIO

Here is the link to the podcast itself.

Below is the raw unedited audio of the interview with Grandma Irene.

THE RECIPE

Some folks were having a hard time seeing the recipe card, so here it is! If you make it, please share a picture with me on Facebook or email it to me at teachingandlearning@gmail.com.

Cream together the following:
¼ lb butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla (I always put just a bit more)

Add to that mixture the following:

1 cup sour cream alternately with 2 cups of flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda.

Spread ½ dough in bottom of pan

Sprinkle 3oz of choc chips evenly (I use more chips)
Sprinkle with a mixture 1/4 cup of sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon (I use more cinnamon)
Spread remaining dough on top of that layer carefully
Repeat the sprinkling with the chips, sugar and cinnamon

Bake 30 mins @ 350 degrees in a greased 9×13 pan.