Whole Wheat Pear and Walnut Coffee Cake

Whole Wheat Pear and Walnut Coffee Cake

(adapted from eatingwell.com)

This is a delicous, healthy alternative to orginial coffee cake. I made this for my friend Perky (mentioned in the last post) when he came for brunch before leaving for PA. It turned out to be a hit and he took about half with him for the road!

Ingredients

- 2 1/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour

- 1/3 cup natural homemade or no-sugar added applesauce

- 1 tablespoon butter, softened

- 1 tablespoon canola oil

- 3/4 cup sugar

-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 3/4 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

- 1 large egg

- 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 2 small, firm, ripe pears, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins

Directions

1. Combine 1/4 cup flour, fruit applesauce, butter and oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Spread in a shallow pan, cover and freeze until firm but not stiff, about 45 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray
3. Whisk remaining 2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.
4. Cut the chilled fruit-puree mixture into small pieces and work into dry ingredients with your fingers or a pastry blender until crumbly.
5. Measure out 1 cup and mix with walnuts.
6. Whisk egg, yogurt and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
7. Stir the egg mixture into remaining dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Fold in pears and cranberries (or raisins).
8. Spread the batter into prepared pan.
9. Sprinkle the walnut mixture evenly over batter and press gently to help crumbs adhere.
10. Bake the cake until top is golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean 50 to 60 minutes.
11. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove pan sides and cool for 20 minutes more. Serve warm