Danish Chocolate-Streusel Coffee Cake

by Lou Seibert Pappas
from Coffee Cakes: Simple, Sweet, and Savory
(Chronicle, 2006)
Makes 2 loaves

This chocolate-filled sweet bread always graces our table at the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons. It has been a family favorite since the ’60s. Sometimes, an almond paste filling replaces the chocolate one. It pulls inspiration from many different places, such as the Jewish babka of western Europe and Russia, the folares of southern Portugal, and even a bit from the Milanese panettone. But regardless of holidays or religious celebrations, this coffee cake is just simply delicious served at breakfast on a weekend morning or sliced up for dessert.—Lou Seibert Pappas

convert Ingredients
For the coffee cake
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water, 105°F to 115°F (41°C to 46°C)
Pinch of sugar, plus 6 tablespoons
12 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 large eggs
4 1/2 to 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup warm milk, 105°F to 115°F (41°C to 46°C)

For the chocolate streudel
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 egg white, beaten until foamy
3 tablespoons sliced almonds

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Directions
1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Add the pinch of sugar, stir to dissolve, and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, beat the 6 tablespoons sugar, the butter, salt, and vanilla or cardamom together with a wooden spoon or a heavy-duty electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well. Add 1 cup of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the milk, then gradually add 2 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well. Stir in the yeast mixture. Gradually add enough of the 1 1/2 to 2 cups remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a buttered bowl, turn to coat, and cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

Make the chocolate streudel
1. In a medium bowl or a food processor, mix the sugar, flour, butter, cocoa, and cinnamon together. Cut the butter in with your fingers or process until crumbly.

Assemble the coffee cake
1. Punch down the dough and turn it out on a lightly floured board and knead lightly until smooth, 1 or 2 minutes. Cut the dough in half. Roll one half into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread evenly with half of the Chocolate Streusel. Roll up and place, seam side down, on a buttered baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, placing the loaf on a separate buttered baking sheet.

2. With clean scissors, snip each loaf at 3/4-inch intervals, cutting three-fourths of the way through the dough. Starting at one end, pull and twist each cut slice on its side to lie flat on alternate sides. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the loaves with the egg white and sprinkle with the nuts. Place in the oven, reduce the heat to 325°F (160°C), and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer the loaves to wire racks to cool completely. Cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices to serve. Or, wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.

Almond Paste Filling Variation: In a small bowl, combine 8 ounces almond paste, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) finely chopped almonds, and 1 egg. Beat until blended. Use instead of the chocolate streusel.

Recipe © 2006 by Lou Seibert. All rights reserved.