MERK'S COFFEE CAKE

Serves 10

For cake topping:
3 tablespoons soft butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts

For cake:
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 pint sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Set aside. Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
In an electric mixer, cream shortening, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda together.
Add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream blending after each addition.
Spread half of the mixture into pan . Sprinkle half of the nut mixture evenly over batter. Cover with remaining batter and sprinkle remaining nut mixture over.
Bake for 50 minutes or until tester comes out clean.