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Hungarian Coffee Cake

Hungarian coffee cake became known as monkey bread. It is a beloved dessert and breakfast treat!

Ingredients

  • 2 pkg. active dry yeast 1/2
  • 1/4 cup warm water(110ºF.)
  • 1 tbs. sugar
  • 1 cup 2% or whole milk, scalded and cooled
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 1/2 - 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Dip: 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup pecans, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Frosting: 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons whole milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; add more milk to desired consistency.

Instructions

  1. Proof the yeast: in a 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup, add the water, yeast, and sugar; set aside to proof for 5 - 10 minutes.

  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the proofed yeast, cooled milk, shortening, sugar, salt, eggs and flour; blend together. Switch the paddle attachment to the dough-hook attachment, knead the dough until smooth, possibly adding a bit of flour. At this point, do not leave the Kitchen Aid mixer. It can rock off the table!

  3. Add a couple of teaspoons of corn oil to a bowl. Put the dough in the bowl, turning to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean dish towel; set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Punch down dough. Set aside for a second rise; 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

  4. On a lightly floured silicone baking mat, pour out the dough. Using a pastry scraper, cut the dough into walnut-size pieces, brush with butter, dip each piece in the sugar/cinnamon mixture, and drop into an Angle Food cake pan. Cover with a clean dish towel, set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 30 - 45 minutes to rise.

  5. During the rising, preheat oven to 375ºF.

  6. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes, watching carefully towards the end. If it begins to brown too much, cover lightly with a piece of aluminum foil.

    When the coffee cake is fully baked, the internal temperature should be between 195ºF. - 205ºF.

  7. Cool on a rack.

  8. Remove from pan, smooth the frosting over the top and just over the top's edges.

    Enjoy!