My school has a birthday buddy system among the teachers and staff. It is basically a birthday version of Secret Santa. People who want to participate secretly draw a name from a hat. On the birthday buddy’s big day, the assigned person anonymously brings a small gift (not to exceed $10) and usually a food treat too that can be shared with the faculty.

In honor of my buddy’s birthday this week, I got her a small personal gift and baked a coffee cake that I left in the staff kitchen. The birthday buddy had the first slice honors and then kindly e-mailed everyone to let them know that a treat was available in the kitchen. When I arrived on the scene at 9:47, there were two slices left. Teachers are always hunting around for a little snack mid morning and/or need a bite to tide them over if they have forgotten to pack a lunch. Teachers love having a group snack appear in the staff room or faculty kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 c. butter, softened
• 2 3/4 c. sugar, divided
• 2 eggs
• 2 c. flour
• 1 T. baking powder
• 1/4 t. salt
• 2 c. sour cream
• 1 T. vanilla
• 2 c. chopped pecans
• 1 T. cinnamon

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cream butter and 2 c. sugar. Add eggs then sour cream and vanilla.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
• Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

• In a third bowl, combine remaining 3/4 c. sugar, chopped nuts, and cinnamon.
• Spray bundt pan with Pam. Spoon half of the batter into the pan and spread gently with a spatula to level the batter. Sprinkle 3/4 of the nut mixture on the batter.

• Pour the remaining batter over the nut mixture and gently smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining nut mixture on top.

• Bake for 1 hour. Let sit for ~20 minutes and then invert the bundt pan onto a plate.

Notes

• Speaking from experience, the baking powder ingredient is important. It is NOT baking soda. There is a difference!
• Make sure the bundt pan is greased well or the cake will not come away from the pan cleanly.