You’ll swoon for coffee cake before it’s done baking

We were smitten with this loaf even before it came out of the oven, the scents of cinnamon and apple perfuming the kitchen as it baked.

Cooled, the wonderfully crumbly topping revealed a light and fluffy loaf, almost cake-like in texture. It’s only slightly sweet, with a gentle tang from buttermilk, and with little chunks of apple and walnut suspended throughout.

Paired with a good cup of coffee, it makes a perfect start to the day.

1881 Coffee Cafe’s Dutch apple walnut loaf

Topping

1/4cup sugar

1/4cup flour

2teaspoons cinnamon

1/4cup (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

Loaf

1/2cup (1 stick) butter softened

1cup sugar

2eggs

1/4cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk

1teaspoon vanilla

2cups flour

1teaspoon baking soda

1/2teaspoon salt

2cups peeled and diced apples

1/2cup chopped walnuts

To make topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-by-3-inch baking dish. Line the base of the dish with parchment paper, then grease the top of the parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well until fully incorporated. Beat in the buttermilk and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. With the mixer running, slowly beat in the dry ingredients just until fully combined. Stir in the diced apples and chopped walnuts by hand.

Pour the batter into the prepared dish, then sprinkle over the topping.

Place the dish in the oven and bake until puffed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 55 minutes to an hour. Cool the dish on a rack for 15 minutes, then unmold and cool completely before slicing.

Makes 10 servings. Per serving: 390 calories; 5 grams protein; 51 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 19 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 79 mg. cholesterol; 28 grams sugar, 267 mg. sodium.

Adapted from 1881 Coffee Cafe in Bridgeport, Calif.