Pumpkin Coffee Cake

What's this? A recipe, finally?! Yes, that's right. After months of not having the time to really bake anything, I've finally gotten back around to it. I can't pass up the opportunity to bake with pumpkin! And hence...this pumpkin coffee cake. I have a whole bunch of pumpkin recipes that I'd love to try, but this seemed fitting to bring over to my brother and sister in law's housewarming party a couple of weeks ago. Coffee cake is a standard, standby dessert but the addition of pumpkin gave it the perfect seasonal boost. And of course, throwing pumpkin into the mix with an already cinnamony and spicy cake is always going to make things so much better.

This cake is so moist and perfect and it turns out the perfect pumpkiny color. Not to mention that it makes your house smell amazing AND is super easy to make. It came out so well that everyone at the party devoured most of it and wanted the recipe afterwards. Make this cake. Just do it.

[I apologize for the lack of a better background here...haha]

Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Source: Crumbs and Chaos

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1- 15oz can pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt

For the Topping:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. cold butter
1/2 cup pecans (optional, I left them out)

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon for topping.  Cut in the butter until mix resembles course crumbs.  Stir in pecans (if you're using them); set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.

Combine pumpkin and vanilla in separate bowl; mix well.

Combine dry ingredients.

Add to creamed mixture a little at a time alternating between pumpkin mixture and dry ingredients. Beat on low until just blended.

Spread the batter in a 9×13 pan, greased and floured. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 325 for 40 minutes or until toothpick near the center comes out clean.