Refined Sugar Free Pecan Streusel Cake

This refined sugar free pecan streusel cake was the answer to what can I do that is productive but also make me feel a bit less anxious during uncertain times? Baking and organizing have always been two of my favorite things to do to take my mind off any troubles.

I was cleaning out some old recipe folders and came across a recipe for pecan streusel cake from Woman's Day, circa 2007! However, it just seemed perfect and I knew I could tweak it and improve it a little. You will love how easy it is to make and with no refined sugar added, whole wheat flour and greek yogurt in the mix, has the added bonus of being a bit healthier.

The ingredients in Refined Sugar Free Pecan Streusel Cake are :

• coconut sugar
• monkfruit
• Swerve
• butter
• eggs
• whole wheat flour ( I used white whole wheat flour)
• all purpose flour
• greek yogurt
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• baking soda
• salt
• pure vanilla extract

The ingredients for the streusel topping are:

• golden monkfruit
• molasses
• quick cooking oats
• all purpose flour butter
• cinnamon
• chopped pecans
• water

How to make the streusel?

Mix the golden monk fruit, molasses, oats, flour, butter, cinnamon and water together. You can use a pastry blender to mix together, however I used my fingers and it was just as easy. Mix in the nuts. The golden monk fruit and small amount of molasses is the substitute for the brown sugar in the original recipe. You will not miss it.

First prepare the pan...

Line a 13 x 9 baking pan with aluminum foil, letting the ends of foil extend about 2 inches over pan on the short end. The reason it is a good idea to use the aluminum foil is because it will make it really easy to lift the cake from the pan, similarly as when taking brownies or other bar type desserts from a pan before cutting them. The cake will not stick to the pan and you will just use the foil as handles to remove the cake when it is ready to serve.

How to make the pecan streusel cake?

The cake is easily made by beating the sugar, butter, spices, vanilla, baking soda and salt together in a mixer for about 3 minutes. It should be thoroughly blended. Then you will beat in eggs one at a time. When the eggs are mixed in, beat in the flour, alternating with the greek yogurt, until just blended. The batter will be very thick.

Spread half of the batter in foil lined pan and then spread half of the streusel mixture over it. The batter needs to be worked to thinly spread it out, but it will be fine if it doesn't fully cover the bottom. Then spread the rest of the batter over the streusel and then put the rest of the streusel over the top batter. Bake in 350°F oven for 30 - 35 minutes.

Here it is, ready to be served. Just lift the cake out of the pan holding the edges of aluminum foil. Cut into 18-24 squares, depending on the size of each square. It is a nicely moist, lightly spiced coffee cake that turned out better than I thought. This 2007 recipe is being moved from the dregs of my old, yellowed ripped out recipes to my tried and true pile. I hope you enjoy!

If you are looking for more coffee cake recipes, you can try my Cinnamon Streusel Cake. Are you staying away from refined sugar, my Blueberry Swirl Pound Cake is refined sugar free and also delicious.

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