As put simply by Delia Smith, 'a cake is a very good test of an oven: if it browns too much on one side and not on the other, it's not your fault - you need to have your oven checked!' A coffee cake generally implies a coffee flavored cake that is served along with a hot beverage. You can be innovative and add nuts or chocolate chips to make it more interesting. Definitely a break from the regular kinds of bakery products available, they provide a welcome relief and will definitely pep you up to actually bake one yourself in the kitchen. With Apple Ingredients

• Butter, ½ cup, (softened)
• Sugar, 2 cups (granulated)
• Eggs, 4
• All-purpose Flour, 2 cups
• Baking Powder, 2 tsp.
• Salt, ½ tsp.
• Apples, 5 cups (peeled and chopped)
• Vanilla Extract, 1 tsp.
• Sugar, 1½ tbsp. (granulated)
• Cinnamon, ½ tsp (grounded)

Directions Beat the butter at a medium speed using an electric mixer. Add the eggs whilst beating but do make sure that you add it, one at a time. Add the sugar and once you obtain a creamy mixture, add some flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix some vanilla and apple extract. Lubricate a 13" x 9" pan and spoon the batter into it. Add some sugar and cinnamon over this batter. Now, bake it at 350° F. You can serve it either warm or cold. If you are serving it warm then a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be a great accompaniment. You can also top it up with chocolate or raspberry sauce. With Cranberry Ingredients

• Butter or Margarine, 1 cup
• Sugar, 1 cup (granulated)
• Self-rising Flour, 2 cups
• Eggs, 2
• Sour Cream, 8 oz.
• Almonds, ½ cup (chopped)
• Almond Extract, ½ tsp.
• Cranberry Sauce, 1 cup

For the Glaze

• Confectioners Sugar, 1 cup (sifted)
• Milk, 2 tbsp.
• Vanilla Extract, ½ tsp.

Directions Combine all the ingredients. Stir till it turns smooth. Cream the butter and gradually add some sugar. Use the medium speed of the electric mixer. Add the eggs one at a time. Add some flour alternately with the sour cream. It is time to stir in the almond extract. Take a pan and pour the batter into it. Apply some cranberry sauce over the batter and sprinkle some almonds over it. Bake it at 350° F. You will require at least 40 minutes for it to be ready. Once it's ready, spoon the glaze evenly over it. You can serve it at room temperature with a cup of hot beverage. Some children like to eat it with a glass of chilled milk.