1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. soft butter (1/2 stick)
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square coffee cake pan.

Cream butter and sugar together. (You should see no lumps of butter when done.) Add the egg to the creamed mixture. Beat well. Add the milk, stir, set aside.

In another bowl place the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir gently. Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients. Beat very well until batter is smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with desired topping. Bake 30 minutes.

TOPPING VARIATIONS:

Cinnamon Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Crumb topping:

1/4 c. flour
3 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 c. chopped nuts

Mix together with spoon until it resembles crumbs.

Streusel Filled Coffee Cake:

1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/3 c. chopped nuts, optional

Mix together in bowl, sprinkle on batter.

Make streusel mixture. Pour half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle on half the streusel mixture. Pour the rest of the batter into the pan. Smooth out the top. Sprinkle on remaining topping.