Orange Coffee Cake w/Sugared Almonds & Orange Chocolate Icing

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Yes, yes I do like orange and chocolate together. My kids don't; but I do. Besides, I can't always cook just for the kids. Sometimes I have to cook for me, and in so doing I broaden their horizons whether they like it or not. :-) If they don't like it, well that just means more for me! It's a win-win. Sugared almonds are the crunchy topping for this coffee cake. Believe it or not, they add just a little spice. Also, notice that I don't list "orange juice" as an ingredient, meaning that I didn't use reconstituted orange juice that you buy from the store. I actually squeezed the juice from a couple of oranges. I had some time to kill.

Orange Coffee Cake w/Sugared Almonds & 
Orange Chocolate Icing

Coffee Cake

1 cup unbleached white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp orange zest

1 stick butter or margarine, softened

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream
¼ cup juice from orange

Sugared Almond Topping
1 cup sliced almonds
½ cup sugar

Orange Chocolate Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

4-5 Tbsp juice from orange

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Instructions
Heat oven to 350° F. Generously grease a 9x9 pan.

For the topping
In a nonstick frying pan, combine sugar and almonds. Turn to medium heat and stir constantly until sugar has melted and coats the almonds. About 5-10 minutes. Spread out almonds in one layer onto parchment paper. Let cool 2-3 minutes. Almonds will clump together, so you must break them apart. Set aside.

For the cake
Combine unbleached white flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, orange zest, and salt in a bowl. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time stirring well after each. Add sour cream and mix thoroughly. Add juice from orange and stir. Add flour mixture ½ cup at a time. Mix thoroughly. Pour batter into greased pan. Top with sugared almonds. Bake 50-55 minutes. Note: After cake has been baking for 15 minutes, cover top of cake loosely with foil. Cool. Drizzle with icing.

For the icing
Combine first three ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add juice from orange one tablespoon at a time. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Inspiration recipe(s): Orange Almond Coffee Cake, Orange Chocolate Glaze, Sugared Almonds

Enjoy!

~CD