Pecan Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Serves 12

It’s perfect for a mid-afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea and hearty enough in protein that a slice can make a quick and filling breakfast on the run. Beware that this is not a low calorie cake at 300 calories a slice, but if you love coffee cake, this easy, quick recipe is sure to become one of your favorites. We enjoy it unglazed, but if a bit of extra sweet melts your butter, then top it with a drizzle of Bit O’ Sweet Glaze.

Ingredients
For the streusel
3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon ThickenThin notSugar
¾ cup granular Splenda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the batter
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup almond flour
¼ cup whole-wheat flour
¼ cup vital wheat gluten
¼ cup pecan meal
¼ cup low carb whey protein powder, natural or vanilla flavor
1 tablespoon ThickenThin notSugar
15 packets Splenda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, well beaten
¾ cup half and half

Directions

1. Generously butter a 9-inch square cake pan.
2. In a bowl, make the streusel by combining the chopped pecans and ThickenThin; stir to coat the nuts. Add the granular Splenda, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the melted butter; stir to combine and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients for batter.
4. Cut the butter into the dry batter ingredients with your fingertips or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
5. Add the egg to the butter-flour batter mixture and beat with an electric mixer on low speed. Add the half and half and continue beating just until blended.
6. Pour half the batter into the buttered cake pan; top with one-half the streusel mixture, then the remaining batter, and finally the remaining streusel mixture.
7. Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 30 minutes until a toothpick, inserted in the center of the cake, comes out clean.
8. Cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before cutting.
9. Serve warm. Can be reheated, gently, in the microwave for 20 seconds.