Monday, November 09, 2009

Coffee cake v. coffee cake

At left, Starbucks coffee cake made at home using Todd Wilbur's recipe out of Top Secret Recipes Unlocked. Price: $4.34 for the whole cake, including fuel to heat oven.

At right, coffee cake purchased at Starbucks: $1.95

Wilbur's recipe made twelve squares. So: 36 cents a piece for homemade, which was tender and buttery, if a bit messy to cut. Starbucks coffee cake was tidy and rigid and the topping tasted very slightly rancid.

No smug lectures. I understand why people buy Starbucks coffee cake. I've done it myself and will do it again. But if you ever think it's "not bad" you need to make Wilbur's clone recipe -- or any coffee cake recipe -- and taste side by side. It's pretty bad and they're not giving it away. 

Interesting fact: Most expensive single component of homemade coffee cake is butter, followed by vanilla. Everything else is almost trivial.

9 comments:

  1. there really is no comparison

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you are eating thanksalot!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excuse me Goose, we are not eating thanksalot! She is far too tart.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ha ha Baker. You really got me this time. But, if anything, she's far too sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Who is this thanksalot? And coffee cake; why is it called coffee cake?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes I wondered that also. It makes me want to have a secret identity, but I am too lazy for that!

    ReplyDelete
  7. thanksalot is my daughter, Isabel.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We offer personal Business loans services around the world. We strive to provide high quality service and high customer satisfaction, while possible financial services. We pride ourselves on our commitment to our customers; We can give you personal loans, auto loans, business / investment loans, short term loans. You can contact us for an affordable loan now at 2% interest rate. Contact us now via E-mail: abdullahibrahimlender@gmail.com
    WhatsApp Number +918929490461
    Mr Abdullah Ibrahim

    ReplyDelete
  9. Black Squad download Pcis a free-to-play military first-person-shooter. Players can master their skills and show off their strategies with a wide range of weapons and explosives to use through the game. it is a multiplayer team based game and work in coordination is the key to success.

    ReplyDelete