FAST, REPENT, THEN EAT! That was the theme for my chat with Matt Swaim today on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio. It’s all about Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is coming up Oct 1. It means “Day of Atonement” and it’s a holiday just a few days after the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah. 

It’s the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish new year and it’s a time to atone for sins of the past year. It starts before sunset on October 1 and lasts until after nightfall on October 2.  

Among the rules are spending the day praying for forgiveness. Prayer services are held in synagogues.  Abstaining from food and drink is another. 

After nightfall, the fast is ended and a festive meal is enjoyed. For some, this means lox, blintzes and coffee cake.  I like the idea of a freshly baked coffee cake so this one, which is prepped the day before and baked up fresh fills the bill.

OVERNIGHT COFFEE CAKE

Ingredients

Cake

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup buttermilk
• Streusel
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts or favorite nuts (opt)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions 

Cake

Spray or butter an 8 inch square/round baking pan. 

Beat butter and both sugars until well mixed. 

Blend in egg.

Separately, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. 

Spread into baking pan. 

Streusel

• Mix  brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. 
• Preheat oven to 350. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don’t overbake. Start checking at 35 minutes.

TIP: HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK
Stir in 1-1/2 teaspoons clear vinegar or lemon juice into 1/2 cup milk. Let sit a few minutes and when it curdles slightly, it’s good to go.

GILDING THE LILY

A dusting of powdered sugar is nice before serving.