Nutmeg Spice Cake

Recipe from “Short & Sweet” by Melanie Barnard. This makes a perfect breakfast or snacking cake as it does not rise much.

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 11/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg yolk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick oil spray.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan or in a mixing bowl in a microwave oven. Stir in the flour, brown sugar and nutmeg until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Measure out and reserve 1/2 cup of the crumbs.

In a small bowl, whisk the baking soda into the buttermilk or yogurt, then whisk in the vanilla and egg yolk. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Spread the batter evenly in the pan, then sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup crumbs.

Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature on the day of baking. (The cake may be covered and frozen for up to 1 month.) Serves 8.

Per serving: 245 calories; 10 g fat (6 g saturated fat; 37 percent calories from fat); 36 g carbohydrates; 52 mg cholesterol; 105 mg sodium; 3 g protein; 1 g fiber.