Netherlands Antilles Applekoek

The Netherlands Antilles are two small groups of islands in the Caribbean. Ruled by the Dutch since the 17th century, the islands absorbed much of Dutch cuisine, including this fantastic applekoek breakfast bread.

What a magnificiently delicious coffee cake! The cut-in butter makes the cake flaky and soft, a cross between a muffin and biscuit, and the sweetness of the apples makes it a perfect morning bread. This is my new favorite coffee cake.

Recipe: Netherlands Antilles Applekoek
Makes 1 8-inch coffee cake

1 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
2 apples, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the butter. In a separate bowl, mix the egg and milk, then mix into the flour mixture. Pour batter into an 8-inch round cake pan. Press the apple wedges into it in a spiral pattern and dust with cinnamon.

Bake for 25 minutes, until apples are golden.