Coffee Cake and Books!

Have you ever read a book that delves into a particular type of cuisine, particularly a regional specialty, and instantly transports you back to the moment when you savored that very dish or experienced it for the first time? It’s almost as if a core memory is triggered, bringing those flavors and memories flooding back. 

This phenomenon recently happened to me while engrossed in “That One Regret” by Carrie Elks. Within its pages, the main male character casually remarks about a coffee cake synonymous with the St. Louis region. This innocuous mention instantly transported me to my childhood, where my mother’s roots on the Missouri border granted us access to a version of this coffee cake, a cherished delight on visits to her hometown. 

Compelled by this connection, I felt an urge to share this delightful recipe with all of you, as it truly encapsulates the epitome of a decadent, buttery cake. It’s incredible how a simple recipe can evoke such strong emotions and memories. 

The origins of the Gooey Butter Coffee Cake trace back to a serendipitous baking blunder in the 1930s by a German-American baker in St. Louis. The story goes that while attempting to craft a conventional coffee cake, the baker inadvertently swapped the proportions of the crust and filling ingredients. The result? A serendipitous “gooey” texture that diverged from the intended crumbly consistency. 

For those curious to recreate this nostalgic treat, here’s the recipe passed down from my mother’s hometown bakery. Keep in mind, there are numerous variations, each with its own unique charm. And while you’re at it, consider exploring “That One Regret” by Carrie Elks. This book exudes a captivating, heartwarming small-town romance with a dash of spice, reminiscent of the very emotions stirred by the Gooey Butter Coffee Cake itself.