A LOOK BACK AT THE MAINE HOUSE...and THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COOKING COFFEE CAKE

From 

The Maine House.....

A look back at the Maine House....
Mae Mobley gazing out the front window at freshly fallen snow..
a magical sight to her.....

Our dining room was set for Christmas dinner.....

The Maine House will welcome family 

to gather around the dining table on Christmas morning. 

The frenzy and excitement of Santa's gifts will wait

 until mid-morning as we have all grown a little older

 and reserve this glee and anticipation for grandchildren

 who will be visiting in-law families this year.

 However, the boys and our sweet Jenn will be visiting

 and we shall savor our time with these darlings. 

Estelle's will dim the chandelier, light the candles

 and prepare the best of our savory breakfast casseroles. 

Oh, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, our cinnamon cakes,

 bacon, eggs and potato casserole

 and the fresh smell of citrus for mimosa's 

will be etched in our memory 

of the merriest of a Christmas Morn in Maine. 

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.........

Wonderful World of Cooking Coffee Cake

1-½ stick Butter, Softened

2 cups Scant Sugar

3 cups Flour, Sifted

4 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Salt

1-¼ cup Whole Milk

3 whole Egg Whites, Beaten until Stiff

FOR THE TOPPING:

1-½ stick Butter, Softened

¾ cups Flour

1-½ cup Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

1-½ cup Pecans, Chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Beat egg whites and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour mixture and

 milk alternately until combined. Don’t overbeat.

Fold in beaten egg whites with a rubber spatula.

Spread in a well-greased 9 x 13 (or LARGER!) baking pan.

A cake pan with higher sides would be best.

In a separate bowl, combine topping ingredients

with a pastry cutter until crumbly.

Sprinkle all over the top.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until no longer jiggly.

Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream—delicious!

"...I remember the fireplace with mouth high wide, 

The old-fashioned oven that stood by its side, 

Out of which, each Thanksgiving, came puddings and pies, 

That fairly bewildered and dazzled my eyes. 

And then, too, St. Nicholas, slyly and still, 

Came down every Christmas our stockings to fill..." 

Excerpt from Reveries of the Old Kitchen, pub. 1878.