Blue berry Streusel Coffee Cake

This is Blue Berry Streusel Coffee Cake. I have been searching for a recipe that I made years ago. It was also a blue berry coffee cake that was made with ricotta cheese. Blue berries and ricotta cheese are amazing together. This recipe is the closest I could find. I found this recipe on the Taste of Home Web site. I did make some changes, and I will let you know later what those changes are.

The Blue Berry.....Do you ever wonder about the health benefits of blue berries?

The blue berry is a very important food that the body needs. Just listen to all the benefits....

Aging: The blue berry will definitely bring you a ray of hope in the aging process because they are loaded with anti oxidants, and rank number 1 in the world of anti oxidants. This is due to the presence of Anthocyanin, a pigment responsible for the blue color of the blue berries. Do you think I have hope?

Urinary Tract Infection: The building of colonies of certain bacteria like b-coli along the lining of the inner walls of the urinary tract is responsible for this infection. The blue berry has a compound formed of big polymer like heavy molecules which suppresses the growth of such bacteria. These heavy and big molecules almost wash-off these bacteria along the tract, therefore preventing the infection. I think I will eat a handful of blue berries daily.

Eye Care: The blue berry is one of the best alternatives for spectacles, contact-lenses, eye drops, medicines and eye surgeries. They can prevent or delay all age related eye problems.

Brain function, Memory, and Alzheimer's: To keep it short, all the vitamins that a blue berry holds can prevent and heal neurotic disorders by preventing degeneration and death of neurons, brain-cells, and also by restoring health of the central nervous system. Now you know what to eat before a big test.

Cancer: Blue berries can prove to be bliss for the cancer patients. They contain certain compounds that perform miracles to prevent and cure cancer.

Heart Disease: The high fiber content, the anti oxidants, and the ability to dissolve the "bad cholesterol" make the blue berry an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases. It also strengthens the cardiac muscles.

Immunity: All those anti oxidants boost your immune system and prevent infections. No more colds, fevers, and nasty viral and bacterial diseases.

Other Benefits: Blue berries keep you fresh, active, fit, sharp, close to nature, and in a good mood, as they are very good anti depressants. So, sneak your boss a bowl full of blue berries every once in a while.

Blue Berry Streusel Coffee Cake

Coffee Cake Batter:

2 1/3 c. all purpose flour

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

3/4 c. butter (soft)

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 c. milk (I used powdered milk per package directions for 3/4 c.)

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. fresh blue berries

Cheese Filling:

1 c. ricotta cheese

1 egg

2 TBS sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

Streusel Topping:

1 c. reserved crumbs from coffee cake batter

1/3 c. packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

To make batter, combine flour, sugar and salt in large bowl; cut in butter as for pie crust. Reserve 1 c. of mixture. Add baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla to larger portion of dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour evenly in greased 13x9 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with blue berries. Blend cheese, egg, sugar and lemon juice until smooth; spoon evenly over blue berries. Make topping by mixing reserved crumbs, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over cheese layer. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 45-60 minutes (I would start with the 45 first), or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool slightly before cutting (if you can wait that long).

Good luck~Happy eating~Enjoy