Thrifty Days

Yesterday, I did a little retail therapy. We are just turning the corner on a long stretch of rainy days that have seemed to go on forever. I contemplated driving an hour and a half to find sunshine yesterday morning. I was that desperate. But, instead, ended up driving to the thrift store to find some goodies to bring home. Seemed a little more logical even though I was longing for that sunshine!

I love thrift stores. There is something about the hunt for those goodies that draws me in. I love stepping into the store without any knowledge of what I am going to walk out with. A cake plate, a funky pair of shoes, and other odds and ends.

Throughout the years, I have contributed to my collection of handmade pottery that just calls out to me from the shelves. Rescued many needlepoints and cross-stitch pieces that someone took hours upon hours to create and, yet, I find it stuffed amongst the frames at the store. Even my favorite coffee mugs and small plates have all come from the thrift store.

Yesterday was a great day in the world of treasure hunting. It seemed the stars aligned to reveal all the goodies I would be walking out with. Along with finding my daughter's Easter dress (score on the price!):

And my son's handsome sweater vest, tie, and shirt (can't wait to see him in it!):

I found these amazing treasures that made me giddy with delight:

These babies were only $5.00 each and normally go for $20-$30 so imagine my happiness when I realized what good condition they were in. Into the cart those babies went! Of course, you know what this meant. Cake time!

I had just the recipe in mind; a Dulce de Leche coffee cake from the book Cake Keeper Cakes by Lauren Chattman. When I got home, I rounded up all my ingredients and started baking away. Here is the end result:

Add a little drizzle to that cake and I can see it hanging out in the front window of the future bakery. Sigh... The best part of the cake? The inside:

I call this shot the "come-hither and have a bite" shot. I love how you can see the butter glistening off of the crumbs. Oh butter, how we love you in our house!

Now, if I have you wanting a slice of this cake, you are in luck. I decided to post the recipe because it is a must for us coffee-lovers. Enjoy and have fun savoring this sweet bite!

Dulce de Leche Coffee Cake (adapted from the book cake keeper Cakes by Lauren Chattman)

1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped walnuts (I used pecans. All good!)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups dulce de leche (available in most grocery stores)
3 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 T. vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray and dust with flour.

For the Streusel

1. Combine nuts, chocolate chips, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the dulce de leche and stir until combined. Set aside.

For the Cake

1. Combine the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla in a bowl and beat lightly. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

2. Place butter in mixing bowl and beat slightly to soften. Add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, taking care to thoroughly cream after each addition. (I set a timer for 1 minute each time I add a 1/2 cup of sugar. Takes time but worth it to get it nice and fluffy!)

3. With your mixer on medium-speed, pour 1/3 of the egg mixture into the bowl. Mix until just combined. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Continue alternating between the egg mixture and flour until all is incorporated. Beat for 1 minute on medium-high.

4. Add 1/3 of the batter to the prepared pan. Dot a 1/3 of the dulce de leche mixture over the batter. Repeat two more times.

5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes then flip out onto a wire rack. When ready, transfer to your serving plate, slice, pour your coffee, and devour!

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Check back later this week because I have a cupcake creation just waiting to be made. It involves these guys:

Hmmmm...wonder what it could be?!?