Blackberry Kuchen

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Friends, we are living in extraordinary times. Let’s make it extra extra extraordinary and bake a blackberry kuchen! What is a kuchen, you ask? Kuchen is a German coffee cake made from an enriched yeast dough (eggs, butter, sugar, flour salt, and yeast). It is crowned with a streusel topping, and fresh blackberries. So delicious! I adapted this recipe from Nigella Lawson’s Apple Blackberry Kuchen recipe. (Steps onto soap box) Before we get started, however, I want you to do me a favor and put on a mask. As much as this blackberry kuchen is very yummy, the Coronavirus is very bad. I should know. I’ve had it. Even though I’m through the worst of the worst, and my symptoms were considered “mild”, there have been some lasting effects that are down right scary. Most days I’ve trouble breathing. My pulmonologist at Mount Sinai believes that my lungs are having a difficult time breathing air fully out. Some days my mind is so foggy that I can’t think straight– I even have a hard time reading. And once or twice a week I have dizzy spells. They don’t last long, but it’s alarming none-the-less. Friends, I want you to stay healthy. I want you to stay happy. Please keep baking. Please wash your hands. And please wear a mask. (Steps down from soap box, and puts on apron)

(Walks into kitchen) Okay, let’s get to baking! Mix together yeast and scalded milk. Stir in eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, and flour. Once combined, cover the dough with a damp towel and set aside for 30 minutes.

Hello, handsome!

Next, pour sugar and salt over top of the dough. Using a dough scraper, repeatedly fold the dough onto itself until the sugar and salt disappear into it.

Place softened butter on top of the dough, and again, repeatedly fold the dough onto itself until the butter is well absorbed.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. (Seven year old son takes photo below)

Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover with a damp cloth. Set it aside to rise until doubled in size (about an hour and a half), or place in the refrigerator to rise overnight. 

Hello, sailor!

Press the dough down into a prepared 11-inch round cake pan, or a 13-inch by 9-inch jellyroll pan

Top with an egg wash, streusel topping, lemon zest, and blackberries.

Bake in a 400º F. oven until the dough is golden brown, and the streusel has set (about 20 to 25 minutes).

Enjoy! Stay well. Wear your mask. (Turns off kitchen light, and exits)

 

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