This is a simple post with a simple intention for you on a Friday eve… eat more chocolate. Life is short. And maybe, among the vices, chocolate is the best sin for you. Better than gambling on horses.
Chocolate Cinnamon and Almond Loaf Cake
Adapted from Food and Wine
2 1/2 cups superfine almond meal
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar (fancy coconut sugar if you have it)
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 cup cooled brewed coffee
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of overhang on the short sides.
In a medium bowl, whisk the almond meal with the cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. In a large bowl, whiskthe egg yolks with the coconut sugar, melted butter, coffee and vanilla. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the batter is smooth.
In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg whites at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining egg whites until no streaks remain.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached. Transfer to a rack to cool for 20 minutes, then unmold and let cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream with the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon until soft peaks form. Cut the cake into slices and serve with a dollop of the cinnamon cream.
This Lekkco Chocolate Belgian chocolate spread is pretty delicious on toast with peanut butter.
I also want to give a shout out to Kristal Damron, who appears to be a phenomenal woman boss, for her Entertaining and Celebrating book, which is really a coffee table teaser for her website. Gorgeous photography in this book with inspired dishes and table settings–quite and accomplishment by a woman who appears to strive for greatness in every domain of her life. I love the name of her catering company in Arizona, Reward Your Appetite.