Today I fear I must be a woman of few words. I have a jam packed day and I have waited until 6:59 am to write this post.
This week, Tracey of Tracey's Culinary Adventures (Click for the recipe, and seriously, if you haven't been to her site, put it in your reader. She is fantastic!) chose delicious cinnamon squares. I baked these straight up - no substitutions, no changes, no creative plating. I am slightly disappointed in myself. I had a great idea of how I wanted to change it up after I had baked them. Ever heard of a Smith Island Layer cake? Well, that's what I wanted to do. After I had baked them.
Next time, my friends. I was distracted, you see, because we had 3 days of straight sunshine here. Remember how the sun had escaped from the Eastern Seaboard for about a month? Well, it was back. And better than ever. However, with its return went my creative bug. But at least I have a good tan.
Regardless, this was a mighty tasty cake. Dense and delicious, with a deliciously rich dark chocolate frosting, filled with a layer of chocolate and cinnamon delight. I love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon and I really loved this cake.
But let me ask you this, TWDers. During the making of this cake, at the step where you added the melted butter into the dry ingredients, did the look of the melted butter slowly soaking into the flour make anyone think that this is what their arteries must look like after eating this cake?
Anyone?
Hold me.
These look great! That thick icing invites you to sink your teeth into it. I try not to think too hard about the chocolate and butter in Dorie's recipes, and to "share the love" with the finished product as much as possible. I am looking forward to next week's cute, single serve, light and fruity tart though!
Posted by: Cakelaw | June 02, 2009 at 08:44 AM
yeah, and then my unfrosted cake is *glistening* this morning, just shouting out its butteriness...
yours looks delicious!
Posted by: dharmagirl | June 02, 2009 at 09:12 AM
I love cinnamon, I always add extra! Great treat!
Posted by: Maria | June 02, 2009 at 09:33 AM
You crack me up. I was thinking the butter mixing part looked a tad gross--it was weird it looked like fat on refried beans. But--after mixing it was fine! The sun is keeping me away as well. Considering we get 3 months of nice weather...Im trying to soak it in!!
Posted by: Courtney | June 02, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Thanks, Teanna, I was trying not to think about my arteries when I ate this. Now that it's gone, I'll give them some brief consideration before I attack next week's recipe.
Even though you didn't play around with it, yours looks perfect! I think this is how Dorie must have intended the recipe, since it has the perfect stripe and clean lines. Way to go!
Posted by: Leslie | June 02, 2009 at 10:08 AM
This looks delicious. I love frosting!
Thanks for your comment about NYC. We had a great time and I can see how you miss living there. The food and atmosphere was amazing! I actually lived in DC about 4 years ago then moved back home(Boston).
Not sure if you've been there yet but before you move away, you have to try the brunch at Georgia Browns in DC. I still think about it! So good!
Have a great day!
Posted by: Nicole (dishin') | June 02, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Don't ever try to visualize butter, flour, and sugar running through your veins. You'll never eat it again!
Posted by: Megan | June 02, 2009 at 10:15 AM
I cut the butter to only 4 T. and 6 T. of yogurt. Still good cake, but I didn't feel my arteries closing up quite as much! ;)
Your cake looks great. Love the thick layer of chocolate on the top!
Posted by: Katrina | June 02, 2009 at 10:15 AM
If you ever make the Smith Island layer cake version of this, I'd love to read about it. All those layers of cake and chocolate have to be good!
Posted by: Amy | June 02, 2009 at 10:17 AM
That frosting looks amazing! I don't care what my arteries look like!
Posted by: Spike | June 02, 2009 at 10:30 AM
your cake and frosting came out great!
you are so right--that's most likely EXACTLY what the arteries are looking like! LOL...
Posted by: Lady Baker | June 02, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Looks fantastic. I had the same exact thought while I was mixing in the butter. Any gained poundage can totally be blamed on these desserts, but they taste so good.
Posted by: Kim | June 02, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Mmm delicious what a perfectly frosted cake!
Posted by: Ashley | June 02, 2009 at 11:52 AM
mmm, yours looks so good! i really was looking forward to making this... but no time. now you don't have to worry about knowing the calories, though ;)
Posted by: kim | June 02, 2009 at 12:08 PM
It looks like it turned out great! And yes, the butter is attacking my arteries as we speak. Thanks for alerting me of this. :-)
Posted by: Melissa | June 02, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Your ribbon of chocolate is clearly visible...how did you DO THAT?? The frosting on the top is so nicely swirled...how did you DO THAT?? I could use some hands on experience...other people's hands showing me how. Yours looks great. Kudos on the tan so early in the season, too!
Posted by: Kayte | June 02, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Yum I could reach right on over and grab a square!
Posted by: Michelle | June 02, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I'm with you on the butter, but boy, does that cake look good!
Posted by: Madam Chow | June 02, 2009 at 01:07 PM
I'm sure the cake was just as good, creative layers or not... now... go play in the sun and enjoy!
Well done Teanna!
Posted by: Vibi | June 02, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Ha! Just don't think about the butter....that's what I do! :-) Great looking squares - love that shiny frosting!
Posted by: Amy (Sing for your supper) | June 02, 2009 at 01:28 PM