Amish Coffee Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix together light brown sugar, flour, and shortening in a large bowl until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture in a small bowl for the topping, then transfer the remaining mixture to a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

Whisk together the egg, vanilla, and hot coffee in a small bowl until combined.

Stir the soda into the hot coffee mixture and let it foam slightly for about 30 seconds.

Pour the coffee mixture evenly over the crumb mixture in the baking pan and stir gently to combine until just moistened.

Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the batter.

Bake for 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving warm.