Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Directions

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   1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan, or a 10 inch Bundt cake pan.
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   2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, and butterscotch pudding mix. Add the eggs, oil and water, mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Pour half of the batter into the pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. Cover with the rest of the batter, and sprinkle with the rest of the nut mixture.
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   3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then turn the oven down to 325*F. and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes.
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   My Note: The cake batter takes only five or ten minutes to whip up and seems pretty forgiving. Though the recipe calls for one vanilla pudding mix and one butterscotch pudding mix, I've never used the butterscotch (since I never have any in the cupboard!). Instead, I've used two vanilla mixes or one vanilla and one chocolate mix. Either way, the cake has always turned out great. Also, for a little extra flavor dimension, I've added a couple tablespoons of espresso or instant coffee to the water. The addition of coffee gives the cake a nice, subtle bite--and makes it into a true 'coffee cake.' Overall, this is a moist, yummy recipe that my family members always ask for. And because it's so easy to make, this would be a great cake for beginning bakers.
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   For optional icing/toping, I put 1/2C powdered sugar and 1T of milk in a ziplock bag, cut off corner, and pour over. Looks real pretty and it's only enough to zig zag over. DEFINITELY take the advice of using Duncan Hines cake mix (white or yellow) or one that doesn't already have pudding in it. My oven is fast, and I still had to bake for 45 min at 325*F., so definitely check with toothpick! Also, you can use 2 pkgs of vanilla INSTANT pudding or 1 of cream cheese if you don't have butterstotch. I think putting 1/3 off batter, 1/3 off brown sugar mix, 1/3 batter, 1/3 brown sugar mix, then last of batter, last of brown sugar mix is the best. It VISUALLY looks prettier when you cut it (again, see pic), and it also isn't too overwhelming. Plus, any more layers then you don't get to taste the brown sugar mix and that's the best part right? I never put nuts b/c the kids don't like it, but if I did -- I'd use pecans.
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   To made this recipe LOW-FAT and it was INCREDIBLE! Seriously, it is the best coffee cake and SO moist! Instead of oil I use half a cup of apple sauce, and half a cup of apple butter. I sware you'll never know it's low-fat. I made it in a bundt pan, and layered it as follows: 1. batter 2. cinnamon mixture 3. semi-sweet chocolate chips 4. batter 5. cinnamon mixture 6. semi-sweet chocolate chips 7. batter 8. cinnamon mixture. I promise you will not be disappointed!
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   Since this cake adds 2 pkgs of pudding, use a cake mix that does not already have pudding in the mix. Duncan Hines is the only one I know of that doesn't have pudding added.
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   I substituted a box of instant cheesecake pudding for the butterscotch pudding and 3/4 Cup of apple butter for the oil. I also skip the nuts, as some of us can't have them.