Every once in a while, I taste something and am immediately overcome with desire to make it at home. On Saturday, when I was offered a sample of Starbucks Chocolate Cinnamon bread, I had one of these moments.  I was intrigued by it since it popped up in the pastry case a month or two again, but I had yet to buck up and pay three bucks for a slice of it.  Then, I tasted it, and BOOM.  Had to have more of it.

First of all, I feel that Starbucks is using the term “bread” rather loosely, this is definitely a cake.  A dense, moist, out of this world, flavorful cake.  It has a rich, chocolate flavor and just a touch of cinnamon and cloves, and is covered with a crunchy, sugary topping.   It is so, so good.

It is easy to make, and I dare say, with it’s rich, not-too-sweet chocolaty flavor, it is the perfect breakfast item to go with your coffee in the morning. Bonus points- if you are a baker, you likely have everything you need for this one in your pantry already. My husband’s co-workers are in for a treat!

Enjoy.

Ingredients:

3/4 cups of room temperature butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder (I used Dutch processed)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons course sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of cloves
1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°.  Grease and flour a 9×5 loaf pan (or line one with parchment paper or a foil sling, which  makes for a much easier removal)

In a mixer, cream butter and sugar for FIVE minutes until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until just combined.

With mixer on low, add buttermilk until mixed well (but not over-mixed.)  Pour into prepared loaf pan.

Mix topping ingredients by hand and sprinkle over the top of the loaf.  Bake for about an hour (start checking at 45 minutes) and when a toothpick comes out clean, it’s done!