Mmmm. . . Chocolate-Cinnamon Cake!

Okay, I admit it. . . the week of warm temps had me totally in Spring-mode so this cold-spell of the past couple of days has dragged me down. . . way down.  And what better pick-me-up is there than chocolate?

I acquired this recipe from a dear neighbor of ours when we lived in Western Kansas.  I walked into her kitchen one evening and the smell was divine - definitely chocolate. . . but what else was it?  One taste and I was totally smitten. 

There was no two ways about it - either she was going to have to make me this cake on a regular basis or share the recipe. . . and the 'secret' ingredients. . . I got the recipe!  Thank you 'Aunt' Carolyn:-)  And what added to that wonderful chocolate-y aroma that day in her kitchen??

Ahhhh. . . heavenly:-)

I will warn you, the recipe seems intimidating the first time you read it - please read it through before you make it.  I have it broken down into steps and it truly is NOT complicated and only takes about 30 minutes to make (that includes baking time). I do recommend that you make it the day before you actually want to eat it, though it's good on the same day as long as you let it cool completely.

Cinnamon-Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 12 x 9 x 2 (or similar) pan, set aside.

Combine

1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa


in saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat.

Meanwhile, blend

2 cup flour

2 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

in a large mixing bowl.  Pour saucepan mixture over dry ingredients and mix well.  Add

2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda

to mixing bowl and combine thoroughly.  Pour into greased and floured pan.

Bake at 375 for 20 + minutes until toothpick in center comes out clean.

It's a good time to make the frosting/glaze while the cake is busy baking.  So, in the original medium saucepan, combine

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and mixture is heated through.  Remove from heat and beat in

3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla 

until well-blended with minimum 'lumps'.

 
Mix in

1 cup chopped walnuts (if desired)

Spread frosting over hot/warm cake.

Now the hard part. . . let cake cool completely before serving:-) 

And the easy part?  ENJOY!!

Have a Chocolate Cake kind of day ~

Robin Z