APPLE COFFEE CAKE

i LOVE coffee cakes...
i don't know about you , but i'm one of those that likes ma sweets in the morn. maybe i'm under the impression that i can enjoy it more knowing i'll work it off somehow during the day. does baking all day burn THAT many calories? well anyway, i'm usually just too full after dinner. it's kinda funny because i'll make some fabulous dessert and while everyone else is digging in, i just sit there and stare. i think it also builds up the anticipation (or the occasional let-down) for that first bite with breakfast.
so, in this house i can usually produce a winner if it has anything with apples,cinnamon, pecans and the word coffee cake in the mix. hence, this one is a winner.

this little number comes from the Savory Sweet Life. many thanks to Alice for posting this one.

recipe found here

the recipe is great. i 1/2'd the recipe and it was easy in an 8 x 8.

i made just a few slight substitutions because i try to cut down on the white flour and white sugar where ever possible. there's sooo many sweets flying in and out of this house lately that just for my own peace of mind i try to throw in a little whole wheat flour and or some sugar substitute if i don't think it will hurt the flavor or the texture or the experience.

so for 1/2 the recipe i used 1c. AP flour and 1/2c. wheat

1/8c. sugar and 1/8c. cooking splenda for the apples

1/2c. sugar and 1/2c. splenda for the batter.

know one knew the diff. i think by subbing just 1/2 in things it works out pretty good in most cases.

oh, i almost forgot, i added a bit of orange zest

and threw some pecans on top.

i know mine doesn't look like the original (kinda hoping i would get that crust look on top Alice has on there), but it turned out delicious...and yes...it was great this morning even though i baked it yesterday.