Moravian sugar cake

Moravian sugar cake is a sweet coffee cake that is often made in areas around Moravian Church settlements, particularly in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. It is made with a sweet yeast dough enriched with mashed potatoes. The dough is left to rise in a flat pan, and just before baking, deep wells are formed in the surface of the dough with the finger tips, and a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is poured on top. During baking, this forms a rich sugary crust that permeates deep into the interior of the cake. Moravian sugar cake is best served warm from the oven, but it keeps at room temperature for several days, and also freezes well.