As the leaves start to fall, many turn on their televisions to watch the 2000’s dramedy, “Gilmore Girls.” “Gilmore Girls” follows the story of Lorelai, a single mom, and Rory, her 16 year old daughter, and their lives in the small town, Stars Hollow. In the show, Lorelai and Rory often visit Luke’s Diner, a restaurant run by Lorelai’s friend, Luke Danes. In Season 1, Episode 6, Rory visits Luke’s Diner on the morning of her 16^th birthday with her best friend, Lane Kim. Luke sets up a table with coffee cake and balloons to surprise Rory before she goes to school.

(Recipe Courtesy of Eating Gilmore):

Cake

• 2 eggs
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cloves
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules dissolved in 1 tablespoon of hot water

Crumble Topping

• 1 cup of flour
• ½ cup of white sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon allspice
• 1 stick butter, melted

Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tablespoon allspice
• ½ tablespoon dark cocoa powder
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Icing

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, grease a 9 in x 9 in baking pan
2. Prepare crumble topping by mixing ingredients in a bowl, slowly pour in melted butter
3. Prepare the cake batter by creaming together the eggs, butter, and both sugars
4. Mix in the milk, sour cream, and vanilla until well combined and smooth
5. Sift in the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves
6. Add the coffee and mix until well combined and smooth
7. Prepare the filling by mixing all ingredients
8. Layer half the cake batter into the pan and then spread the filling mixture on top of the batter. Layer the remaining batter on top
9. Sprinkle the crumble topping across the cake batter
10. Bake at 350 F for 50-60 minutes
11. Let the cake cool and prepare icing by combining powdered sugar and vanilla in a small mixing bowl. Then add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time
12. Ice the cake