National Coffee Day
September 29 is National Coffee Day! Did you know the Cheek family business was the Cheek-Neal Coffee Company, creators and brewers of Maxwell House Coffee and Tea? Learn about the Cheek family’s history with Maxwell House coffee, then try your hand at making Maxwell House Muffins by Café 29. Made with the signature Maxwell House Coffee blend that has such significant meaning to Cheekwood’s story, these muffins, much like the coffee, are good to the last drop…or crumb!
Cheek-Neal Coffee Company
The Cheek-Neal Coffee Company specialty blend was named after and marketed by the best hotel in Nashville, the Maxwell House. The success of the brand launched the local business into nation-wide production and is said to have captured the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who exclaimed that it was “good to the last drop!”
Cheek-Neal was created by Joel Cheek, the cousin of Leslie Sr.’s father C.T. Cheek. C.T. had been an early investor, and Leslie Sr. bought stock as well. In 1928, the Postum Company, later renamed General Foods, purchased Cheek-Neal Coffee Company for $45 million. As an investor, Leslie Sr.’s fortune quickly expanded, likely also expanding his plans for Cheekwood.
Maxwell House Muffins
These Maxwell House Muffins are a staff and visitor favorite at our Café 29. Use our recipe to whip up a batch at home this weekend. The mothers in your life will thank you!
Batter
6.5 ounces all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 ounces butter room temp
6.5 oz white sugar
2 eggs room temp
5 oz sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions: Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter & sugar till creamy. Mix eggs 1 at a time then add sour cream & vanilla, mix till blended. Add dry ingredients and lightly blend. Add 1 scoop of batter (ice cream scoop will work) to buttered (or use liner) muffin pan, sprinkle the “middle” sugar, top w/ 1 scoop of batter then top with the topping. Bake 350* 20-30 minutes till baked thru.
Middle
2 oz brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix set aside.
Topping
2 ounce all purpose flour
2 ounce brown sugar
2 ounce oats dry
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ounce Maxwell house coffee ground
2 ounce cold butter 1/2″ cube
Mix dry ingredients then mix in butter till it becomes a crumble, set aside.
