Foodie Friday! - Kathy's Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Remember about 4 weeks ago when I blogged that Michael and I were giving up chocolate for Lent?  Well we lasted 3 weeks.  It was a dark and stormy night, (no really, it was!), and we couldn't resist getting a hot chocolate.

I was a little disappointed that we caved.  I sent a text to one of our daughters-in-law and told her we had given in and had chocolate.  Her response: "It's okay.  Thankfully we worship a God who is forgiving!"  

I couldn't help but laugh.  In the big picture of life caving into our chocolate craving is not earth shattering.  Giving it up, even for 3 weeks, was definitely a learning experience.  I never realized how much I automatically reach for chocolate.  

During that 3-week period I felt everything I made evolved around blueberries because we were avoiding chocolate.   When I looked back at my blog, it showed evidence of that as well.  Were you guys getting as tired of seeing blueberries as I was of eating them?!

So, I'm back today with a recipe containing chocolate!  

Woohoo!!!  

This recipe is one of my favorite coffee cakes.  I first had it when our friend Kathy made it for our connection group several years ago.  I asked her for the recipe right away and she was gracious enough to share it. 

Kathy's Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Batter:

2 cups flour

1-1/2 cups sugar

 2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/3 cups sour cream

2/3 cup softened shortening

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Topping:

Combine:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

6 oz. chocolate chips

chopped pecans (optional) 

Combine all batter ingredients.  Blend with mixer 1 minute on slow speed and 3 minutes on medium speed.  

In a separate small bowl, combine the topping ingredients, stirring to blend well. 

Pour half of batter into 9 x 13 baking  pan. Sprinkle with half of the topping.  Pour remaining batter over first layer of topping and sprinkle with remaining topping mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  

******

Kathy reminds me a lot of my Mom.  She is a wonderful cook and baker, she loves sending greeting cards, she has a heart as big as her smile, and her family means the world to her.  

The world needs more Kathys.  

And more chocolate. 

Happy Friday!