orange spiced crumb cake . . . a new Fall favorite

 

I'm really excited to share this recipe with you!

I discovered it last Fall while watching Brunch @ Bobby's, one of my favorite shows on Food Network.   If you know me well, or if you've followed me for very long, then you know that my favorite time of day to entertain is brunch.

I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my brunch menus . . . and this recipe for orange spiced crumb cake will be a new staple for my Fall and Winter menus.

It's moist . . . flavorful . . . and has a tender crumb. And oh! the streusel topping . . . it's perfection, too! And there's a lot of it. I think the ratio might be 50% cake / 50% streusel . . . oh my!

What makes this crumb cake a perfect recipe for any Fall gathering is the addition of cardamom and orange . . . a combination made in heaven.  And because it's baked in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, it yields enough to serve a crowd.

I noticed that it tastes even better on the second and third day. I'm sure it's even better on the fourth day, but I wouldn't know because it's always gone before that.

It's also a great recipe to bake the day before hosting a gathering, since the flavors intensify with every passing day.  You can spend the extra time you'll have the day of your gathering with your family and friends, instead of in the kitchen (smile).

My crew gobbled up the first batch within 48 hours!

It was so good that I quickly baked another batch to share with our Littles' teachers. I cut big 5 x 5-inch squares, wrapped them in cellophane sheets, and then tied them with big burnt orange-colored bows. Our youngest daughter's teacher told her that it was her favorite treat yet!

I keep oranges in our fridge these days, just so that I can make this crumb cake at a moments notice!

We have guests coming from out-of-state to stay with us soon (I'm so excited!), and I think a beautiful platter piled high with orange spiced crumb cake will surely be on our breakfast table . . . along with my favorite strata with spicy Italian sausage, Gruyere, spinach, and shallots. 

Fall entertaining can't get much easier than this! Enjoy, friends!

Crumb Topping 
1 1/2 cups pecans, optional 
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted 
3/4 cup light brown sugar 
1/2 cup pure cane granulated sugar 
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
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Cake 
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing 
3 cups all-purpose flour 
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 cup whole milk 
1/4 cup canola oil 
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest 
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
2 large eggs 
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Glaze 
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar 
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 
2 teaspoons orange juice 
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest 
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract  
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Preparation

For the crumb topping
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
Spread the pecans in an even layer onto a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring once, until lightly golden brown and just fragrant, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a baking rack and let cool slightly before coarsely chopping.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over high heat until it begins to turn light golden brown. 
Whisk in both of the sugars and cook until smooth. 
Take the pot off the heat and add the flour, cardamom, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg and mix until clumps begin to form. Refrigerate the crumb mixture for 15 minutes.

For the cake
Heavily butter a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. 
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. 
Whisk together the melted butter, milk, canola oil, orange zest, vanilla and eggs. 
Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. 
Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing out the surface. 
Scatter the crumbs in large clumps over the cake; the crumb layer should be quite deep.
Bake until the crumbs are golden and firm and a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 55 minutes. 
Transfer to a rack to cool.

For the glaze 
Whisk together the sugar, butter, juice, zest and vanilla.
Once the cake is cool, drizzle the glaze over it and cut into 9 pieces. 
Serve on a platter.
recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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Fall leaves from the mountains . . .

We ventured to the mountains last weekend to enjoy Fall foliage at its peak.

After a little research, I learned that mid-October is the perfect time to witness the glorious hues of Fall.

We traveled 1.5 hours North to our local mountains . . . and I couldn't believe how beautiful the forest floor and trees were . . . golds and bright reds speckled the mountain sides. Beautiful, simply beautiful.

The temperature was also quite pleasant . . . low 60s during the day . . . and low 30s at night. That's heaven for us! 

While hiking, I couldn't resist snipping colorful branches from so many of the trees that graced our paths. I brought home enough to make a few bouquets . . . as well as send some to school with our kindergartner and first grader to share with their teachers and classmates.

Our home is filled with the vibrant hues of Fall this year . . . and I love it!

For isn't Fall about the celebration of these vibrant colors? So let's find Fall's beauty and bring it indoors!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage,  Chic California, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, Sweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple,  Rooted in Thyme, Everyday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with Curls, Made from Pinterest, Simply Gloria

a few new Fall crushes . . . part 2

I thought it would be fun to share a few new Fall crushes . . .
Here's a peek at last week's, here!

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dried Oak leaves

pumpkin cookies

marigolds
butternut squash
Fall inspirations from Celebrate HOME
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I'm beginning to decorate for Fall . . . and love the idea of bringing the outdoors in with Fall leaves and the season's harvest . . . pumpkins and squash . . . as well as warm colors and textures.

One of the Fall-inspired projects that I'm working on right now is creating a Fall-scape on our mantle using TALL branches and these Oak leaves. I'm taping the leaves onto the branches, one by one, using brown floral tape. My goal is to make it look as natural as possible.

Aren't these chocolate brown oak leaves beautiful?

 

Sugar cookies!

You know how I love them!

One of my favorite places to eat is Panera Bread . . . and it's this time of year that they sell these darling pumpkin sugar cookies for 99 cents when you make a purchase. Yum!

I had a thought yesterday morning of taking my little one on a sugar cookie tour . . . and buy pumpkin sugar cookies from our local shoppe, bakeries, and markets . . . and then bring them home for fun tasting with the all the kids. I would take photos, of course (smile).

Hello, marigolds!

I am in love with these amazing orange flowers! They are so fun and pretty . . . and affordable.
I couldn't resist displaying them in our dining room and outside in our patio, where I enjoy relaxing with a cup of coffee and a favorite read.

Butternut squash was calling my name this week.

I prepared a Butternut Squash Pizza a few night ago . . .  a tender, light crust topped with thin slices of butternut squash, sage, sharp white cheddar, and baby arugula . . . It was so good . . . and light. Recipe coming next week!

 

Did you know that Costco is a great place to buy magazines? Especially if you're interested in buying the ones that are more expensive. You get 30% off (or more) from the cover price . . . making amazing magazines - like this one - affordable!

You're going to ooooh & ahhhh over the gorgeous photos and inspiration, too. I just had to share a few of my favorites . . .

Do you have any Fall crushes this week?

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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early Fall crushes

There are certain times of year when I discover special and unique seasonal finds at the market and Farmer's Market . . . and Fall is my favorite time of year for discovering seasonal treasures.

I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite finds (crushes) over the last few weeks . . .

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casaba melon

canned Organic Pumpkin has arrived!

woven jute placemats

orange and burnt orange paper straws

long stem freckled pumpkins

Fall lilies

Caramel Apple Pie & Pumpkin Spice K-Cups! 
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Have you ever tried a casaba melon? Oh my heavens, they're delicious . . . juicy . . . and oh so sweet!

I spotted them at the Farmer's Market . . . and thought that their skin was quite unique. 

It wasn't until I sampled a piece that I couldn't buy one fast enough. That's what's so neat about Farmer's Markets . . . FREE samples of fruits, vegetables, and cookies/pastries and honey! 

  

Long stem freckled pumpkins!

There's something so incredibly charming about long stems on pumpkins. Their long, twisted, gnarled stems give them so much character . . . and I love that they look like you just picked them from a pumpkin patch.

Have you ever seen burnt orange lilies?

They're breath-taking, especially when  the sun shines on them.

I buy lots of sunflowers this time of year, but when I saw these . . . I was captivated by them.

I brought them home and paired them with a large bowl of long-stem freckled pumpkins.

Perhaps one of my favorite seasonal finds so far are these braided jute placemats.

I'm a big fan of jute. In fact, all the rugs and carpet runners in our home are made of jute. I think it's natural fibers like this one that add extra warmth to a home (smile). 

I think my new braided placemats cozy-up our dining room table . . . and I love it! 

Have you seen the new Fall seasonal Keurig flavors!?! Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple Pie!

Add a few tablespoons of Hazelnut Creamer to both and you have an over-the-top delicious hot drink to keep you warm during these cooler Fall mornings and evenings!

 

And for a little Fall fun . . . extra thick paper straws!

I found these darling straws at a local gift shoppe. I love their pattern and color. They're so festive . . . and go great in a pumpkin or apple pie shake!!

What are your early Fall favorites?

Here are a few more of mine, here.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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