Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• (2.5 cups) All-purpose flour
• (1 cup) Brown sugar - packed
• (1/2 tsp) Salt
• (1/3 cup) Butter - cold
• (2 tsp) Baking powder
• (1/2 tsp) Baking soda
• (1/2 tsp) Ground cinnamon
• (1/4 tsp) Nutmeg
• (2) Eggs - room temperature
• (1.5 cups) Buttermilk
• (1/2 cup) Maple syrup
• (1/3 cup) Applesauce
• (5) Bacon strips, cooked
• (1/2 cup) Chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Set aside 1/2 cup for topping. Combine the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir into remaining flour mixture.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, syrup, and applesauce until well blended. Gradually stir into flour mixture until combined.
3. Spread into a 13x9-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with reserved topping, then crumbled bacon and walnuts. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

By Jen Riemer