I never knew Grandma Francis. But I was told that her homemade baked goods were famous far and wide when she ran Buzz.
Buzz was a high end cafe, frequented by everyone from the bus driver who took her to work every day for the life of the business, to the affluent politicians who liked to think they ran the town.
When I asked about the unusual name, Mom told me it was completely appropriate. Anyone who ate or drank at Buzz left completely energized, and with a smile on their face. It didn't even matter if they had a decaf, or just one of her vast array of baked treats. It was as if the shop itself exuded positive energy!
Mom handed me an old cardboard shoebox, with many things written on it in fading blue ink.
"Here are some of her things, she left them to you. Your grandma told me before she passed that one of her biggest regrets was not coming to the United States to meet you, while she was still healthy enough. And she said that she hoped your inheritance would help bring a little magic into your life."
I looked into the box. On top was a piece of paper, yellowed with age. Coffee Cake was written in large, flowing letters. Beneath was a list of ingredients, and instructions.
Mix the wet ingredients first:
In a large mixing bowl, mix the oil, two large eggs, some vanilla, and your choice of whole or nonfat milk.
In a medium mixing bowl, mix together sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add a little instant espresso, either regular or decaf.
Prepare your streusel with cinnamon, brown sugar, and sweet, crunchy crumbles.
Put a generous amount in the half-filled pan, then cover with more batter. On top, put the rest of it.
Before you put it into the oven, say the following words.
"Made with love, may this treat find you happy and healthy. If it does not, let it fill you with everything good that you need from above.
If you're tired or sad, let it lift your spirits so mired. If you're stuck feeling down with bad luck, it will ensure that the rest of your day does not suck."
Bake at 350 uncovered for 35-40 mins.
I smiled. "Did Grandma Francis really say that before she baked?"
Mom's eyes went unfocused as she remembered something. "Yes, and she had a few other sayings too. There was one that I always begged her for, and she'd tell me it was a secret. It's the one that she always said over her decaf coffee before she served it. Unfortunately, she always whispered that one so low that I never caught even one word. And I don't think she ever wrote it down either."
I looked at her, hoping that my puppy dog eyes would work despite my age. "Well I'm still trying to shake that cold, Mom. Could you please make one of Grandma Francis' famous coffee cakes? It might be even better for me than soup."
She laughed, then nodded. "Of course, I was hoping you might ask!"
After I thanked her, I went for a quick walk. When I came back, her house smelled like a bakery. Delicious!
Helping myself to a big slice, I found that even before I finished, my cough was gone. Maybe Grandma's recipe really did have some magic. Whatever it was, I sure felt better!
Recipe adapted from the one here
Cover image made in Canva Pro using their gallery
