Wishes and Yogurt Coffee Cake

This yogurt coffee cake is a moist, flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack. The tangy yogurt adds richness and depth, while the cinnamon and walnut topping brings a lovely crunch and warmth. It’s simple to make and will fill your home with a delicious aroma as it bakes.

My daughter wrote this poem when she was eight.

Things are Perfect the Way They Are

Did you know that I don't
have any wishes to put in this
world because the world is
perfect the way it is.

Rainbows have perfect colors
so I think that rainbows are
perfect the way they are.

Houses have perfect shelter
so I think houses are
perfect the way they are.

Blankets are warm and
cozy so I think blankets are
perfect the way they are.

Teddy bears help me go to sleep
so I think teddy bears are
perfect the way they are.

The world is a safe place to
live so I think the world is
perfect the way it is.

You are special the way
you are so you are you
and that is...PERFECT!

© Anna Goodman, (Dec. 2007)

Here's Anna's favorite coffee cake.
It's perfect just the way it is.

Recipe: Yogurt Coffee Cake

Serves: 12

Ingredients

1 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1½ cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon soda
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)
1½ teaspoons vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your chosen baking pan. You can use a bundt pan, brownie pan, or loaf pan.
   
   
2. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, chopped walnuts (or pecans), and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
   
   
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
   
   
4. Make the Cake Batter: In a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the yogurt and vanilla. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
   
   
5. Assemble the Cake: Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar-nut mixture over the batter and swirl it into the batter. Spoon the remaining batter on top, and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar mixture over the top.
   
   
6. Bake the Cake: Bake for about 1 hour or until a tester comes out clean. The exact time may vary depending on the size and shape of the pan you're using.
   
   
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool before serving. This cake is delicious warm or at room temperature.

Tasting Notes:
The yogurt keeps this coffee cake moist and tender, while the cinnamon-sugar-walnut topping adds a perfect sweet, nutty crunch. It’s simple but delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness to pair perfectly with your coffee or tea.

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Cancer and Almond Fried Chicken

Discover how to make the crispiest, most flavorful almond-fried chicken. This recipe combines seasoned chicken, a crispy almond coating, and a perfect frying technique for an irresistible dish.

Recipe: Almond Fried Chicken

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

6 boned, skinned, chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds), flattened
⅓ cup flour
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 tablespoons whipping cream
2 cups almonds, finely chopped {you can use hazelnuts or cashews or your favorite nut}
8 tablespoons peanut oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Breading Station: In one shallow dish, combine flour and salt. In a second dish, beat together the egg and whipping cream. In a third dish, place finely chopped almonds. Set up a wire cooking rack to hold the breaded chicken.
   
   
2. Bread the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dredge in the flour mixture. Dip in the egg-cream mixture, followed by the chopped almonds. Season at each stage for even flavor.
   
   
3. Fry and Bake: Heat peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Brown the chicken on all sides until crispy. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a 375°F oven to finish cooking. Bake until juices run clear.

Tasting Notes
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this almond-fried chicken is a twist on classic fried chicken with a nutty, crunchy coating that adds flavor and texture. Serve with your favorite sides for an unforgettable meal.

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Hospitals and Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Cookies

It's been a while. I've been busy. With life. With cancer. With three kids. With work. With moving houses. With separation agreements. With radiation. With loneliness. With emptiness. With happiness. With hope.

I've spent a lot of time lately at hospitals. There is a lot of love, touchable and palpable, in those purell-washed walls. Those memories will be with me forever. I found out last week that my scan shows my thyroid cancer is "gone". Yay.

This cookie recipe is a blank canvas for whatever you desire—raisins, oats, chocolate chips, dates, or coconut. It’s comforting, customizable, and always delicious. My favorite is raisin oatmeal, but feel free to make it your own by swapping ingredients as you like.

Recipe: The Only Cookie Recipe You Need

This cookie recipe can be all that you want it to be. It likes chocolate chips, raisins, dates, and coconut. It plays well with others. Just substitute the raisins and coconut listed in the recipe with your favorite stand-in. If you're making chocolate chip cookies, you may want to leave the cinnamon out.

Makes: 24 2-inch round cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick (¼ pound or 1 cup or 8 ounces) unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup raisins
¼ cup coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F.
   
   
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1-2 minutes until soft. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, and mix until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Then, add the egg and mix well.
   
   
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, oats, and cinnamon. Stir in the raisins and coconut (or any other mix-ins of your choice).
   
   
4. Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet.
   
   
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the edges are golden. Let cool.

My girls were very excited to find out that my cancer is gone
and made me this carrot cake!
They're so sweet!

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