Once the Vancouver winter months set in, It seems like I am constantly craving for warm beverages. Well, if I’m really being honest, it is more like I have a deep seeded emotional need for warm beverages to help sooth my inability to cope with cold weather. All winter long I am forever day dreaming about latte’s, tea, hot chocolate and coffee… basically anything that is warm and delicious enough to offset how much I hate being in the cold weather, (even cold weather as mild as Vancouver’s.)
Yes, I admit it! I am one of those annoying people who spends my days walking around in a state of constant coldness. It’s a problem really… I mean honestly, unless the temperature is upwards of 25 degrees C, it is safe to assume that I am cold. People who know me would even say that I take my aversion to the cold to a whole new level of crazy because I pretty much don’t start wearing anything but pants and sweaters until we are in the 30 degree temperature range.
Now I know that I probably sound like the most ridiculous human being on the planet to any of you fellow Canadians who are living in places that actually have freezing winter temperatures … like -30 degrees C. So before you start hating me, let me just say that I think you are champions of the world for being able to withstand that kind of weather. I am fairly certain that if I stepped out into those kind of temperatures for more than five seconds… I would probably freeze to death instantaneously… seriously.
So do you think I’m crazy yet? I am going to take a shot in the dark, and say that you most likely do. Well, don’t feel bad because there are many people in my life who would definitely agree with you, and my boyfriend Cole is one of them. However, I think that his opinion is completely and utterly biased because he is one of those other annoying people who walks around constantly feeling overheated. I’m talking this man walks around in the rain, even when it is 0 degrees out, with nothing but jeans and a t-shirt on. Oh don’t worry, he does own long sleeved shirts and jackets, but there is really no point because he never needs them.
So yes, we are literally polar opposites when it comes to internal body temperatures. Sometimes this causes little wars in our house… (like when I try to sneakily turn the thermostat higher than it’s designated 23 degree spot,) but most of the time it actually comes in quite handy because I can use him as my personal heater and he can use me as his personal little air conditioner. Yes, we compliment each other well :P.
So to make a long, rambly story short – when the temperatures in Vancouver dip down to anything below 10 degrees C, I am basically a very sad frozen popsicle in dire need of comforting beverages, (and of course delicious baked goods to go along with them,) to brighten up my mood. My favourite hot beverages to enjoy in the cold weather are definitely latte’s and hot chocolates, and my all-time favourite thing to pair with them is a nice, chunky piece of coffee cake. The rich flavour, and dense, moist texture of coffee cake are the perfect partner for a nice steaming cup of joe in my opinion – not to mention it will definitely satisfy any daily cravings for sweet comfort foods. Would you not agree?
So as the rain pours down on yet another cold and wet Saturday in Vancouver, I find myself day dreaming about doing nothing more all day than curling up on my big comfy couch with a woolly blanket, a hot caramel machiatto, a slice of coffee cake, and settling in to watch a very long marathon of Love it or List it Vancouver. Yes – I think that sounds just perfect. After this post, that is exactly what I will be doing, and I will be doing it with a nice thick slice of my Browned-Butter Pecan Cinnamon Swirl Loaf. Mmmmhmmmm!
Alright so I guess because this Browned Butter Pecan Cinnamon Swirl is in loaf form, it is not technically a coffee cake. However, the combination of rich flavours, the cinnamon swirl and crumbly topping of this loaf really are a nod to all of the components of a good coffee cake, so I think it will do the job just fine! And yes, just in case you were wondering – this loaf really is as good as it sounds. The browned butter in this recipe adds an amazing caramelized, nutty flavour that pairs dreamily with the cinnamon swirl and toasted pecans. I like to toast the pecans in this recipe as opposed to using just raw pecans, not only because it gives them an amazing crunch that adds great texture, but also because it adds a terrific roasted flavour quality to the loaf. And as for the streusel topping… well that just makes this loaf downright irresistible.
So enough talking, and more recipe sharing! Whip this loaf up asap so you can swoon over it, while treating yourself to an afternoon of absolutely nothing because that is exactly what I will be doing. I hope you enjoy lovelies <3
Browned-Butter Pecan Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
Things you need…
Cinnamon Streusel
1/4 Butter, cubed
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Flour
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
Cinnamon Swirl
2 tbsp Butter, melted
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
Browned-Butter Pecan Loaf
1/2 cup Butter, browned
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs, room temp
2 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Buttermilk
2 cups Flour
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 cup Toasted Pecans
1/2 cup Skor Toffee Bits
How to make…
Toasted Pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread pecans out onto a cookie sheet and toast in the oven for 5-6 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Browned Butter
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and allow to cook until browned and fragrant.
Remove butter from saucepan and allow to cool slightly.
Cinnamon Streusel
Whisk together brown sugar, flour and cinnamon until combined.
Using a pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Set aside until ready to use.
Cinnamon Swirl
Whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter; set aside until ready to use.
Browned-Butter Pecan Loaf
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together browned-butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat until fluffy after each addition; mix in vanilla, & skor bits.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Alternating with buttermilk, stir in the flour mixture in 3 additions. Fold in toasted pecans until just combined – do not over mix the batter!
Spread half of the batter into the bottom of the loaf pan, being sure to spread the batter to the edges of the pan. Spread half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the first layer of the batter and use a skewer to swirl through the batter slightly. Spread the remaining half of batter over top. Spread the remaining half of the cinnamon swirl over the top of the batter and use the skewer again to swirl it through the batter. Sprinkle the top of the loaf batter with the cinnamon streusel.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf springs back when you touch the top with your finger or when a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Allow to cool for an thirty minutes to an hour before serving.
There you have it! The recipe for quite possibly one of my all-time favourite loafs.
I hope you enjoy and please be sure to read the serving instructions below immediately…
Important Serving Instructions:
1. Prepare a very large cup of your favourite hot beverage – ex. hot chocolate, coffee, latte or tea.
2. Cut yourself a nice hefty slice of the loaf.
3. Pick up your delicious beverage and slice of loaf and make your way to the couch.
4. Get cozy on the couch ensuring you have lots of pillows and blankets.
5. Tune in to your favoutite movie or TV show.
6. Enjoy that slice of heaven & your hot beverage!
7. Repeat instructions 1 through 6 as many times as necessary.
Happy cozy eating <3
KP xoxo
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