A Perfect Match

Cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee.



Some things just go together. For instance, that combination above. Or maybe other combinations like strawberries and whipped cream, or peanut butter and chocolate. Some people even like apples and cheese. This recipe though combines cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee. Personally, I'll eat almost anything together as long as it doesn't sound too gross like vegetables and chocolate or cinnamon and cheese. Ew.



I made Dorie Greenspan's cinnamon squares that have a layer of cinnamon cake, a layer of chocolate and cinnamon with coffee, and another layer of cinnamon cake. I really liked the cake art of these, but the frosting and filling was only so so. The chocolate sank to the bottom and because I used coffee instead of expresso powder the cinnamon-coffee part was very concentrated in a few places. If I made it again I would use the powder instead.



Cinnamon Squares

Adapted from Baking from my Home to Yours



Ingredients:

Cake:

1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon plus 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons coffee

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup milk

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Frosting:

6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small pieces



Directions:

1. Center a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8 inch pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and the coffee together.

3. Whisk together the flour 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

4. In a seperate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and vanilla together.

5. Gently combine hte two and mix until combined. Gently fold in the melted butter.

6. Spread half of the batter into the pan and top withthe chocolate chips and crumble the cinnamon-coffe-sugar mixture over it. Spread on the remaining half of the batter.

7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. remove paper and put onto a cooling rack.

8. Make frosting by melting the chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Spread onto the cake and then serve.



Pictures Later!!!