Duck, Duck, Goose

When I invited a friend of mine to come along to the Mt. Bruce Station Spring Fiber Day, I described it as a "fun way to spend an hour or two wandering a farm, shopping for fiber-related goodies and perhaps seeing a sheep get shorn." What's not to like, right?

When we got there, what made me really happy was seeing these geese! I wanted her to feel like this adventure was an escape from the city and these honking beauties added to our farm experience for sure.

We had about an hour drive to the farm, so I made us some "Coffee Cake Bars" and brought along individual orange juice cartons for a snack. They were gone in a flash.

Coffee Cake Bars

Using 1 box of Pillsbury Cinnamon Swirl quick bread mix follow the directions on the box to make the batter. Since we want coffee cake bars, butter a 9 x 11 (or similar) pan.

Pour some batter into the pan and spread. Then shake on half of the streusel filling, then sprinkle on 3/4 cup of dried cherries, then add the rest of the batter. Sprinkle the remaining streusel on top and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 - 40 minutes, depending on your oven and the thickness of the batter. Check for doneness with a toothpick. When it comes out clean, the batter is cooked. Allow to cool. Make a glaze by mixing 1/2 cup of powered sugar with a few tablespoons of hot water. Start with just a little water and add a bit at a time until it is the consistency you can "drizzle" over cake. Allow this icing drizzle to set by placing the cake pan in the refrigerator. Once it is set, you can cut the coffee cake into bars and slip each one into its own plastic baggie. This makes it perfect to eat on a trip - it comes with its own "crumb catcher" and clean up bag. Enjoy!