A Southern Grace: my perfect pairing

March 26, 2010

my perfect pairing

Yum

If you were to scroll through my posts featuring recipes using apples, you'd find that an ever-present ingredient is cinnamon.

It is your density.
Indeed, I find the combination of apples and cinnamon to be a powerful temptation in all forms--cookies, cakes, pies, breads, donuts, sauces, and on it goes. If apples are involved, then by golly, there had better be cinnamon!

Now that I've professed my love for all things apple-cinnamon, let's talk about this coffee cake. There aren't many recipes out there that specifically call for cinnamon chips, but this is one. (That's not to say that one couldn't replace any type of baking chips with cinnamon chips in any recipe, of course. One could. And should.) It's a triple threat--apple butter (my batch obviously contained cinnamon), straight cinnamon, and cinnamon chips are all involved and, in my opinion, essential.

Treasure trove!
This corner exhibits what I find to be the perfect bite--lots of chippage,
a little glaze, and some nuts to boot.


There's not a thing wrong with this cake. It's moist and dense and properly sweet, thanks in part to a little powdered sugar glaze. There's a subtle hint of maple, and the cinnamon chips and walnuts are nicely scattered throughout, making each forkful a pleasant experience.

Cinnamon-Lover's Coffee Cake
(three cheers for Hershey's Kitchens! my cake is based on their recipe)

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 cup apple butter
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups (10-oz package) cinnamon chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 13x9-inch baking pan or a 12-cup fluted tube pan.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together with a mixer until well blended. Beat in the eggs, extracts, and apple butter. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in the cinnamon chips and walnuts and spread into the prepared pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes for a 13x9-inch pan or 45-50 minutes for a tube pan or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Drizzle with a glaze (made from combining 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk) or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

77 comments:

Chef Aimee said...

This looks delicious and I love that there is a hint of maple in this. The apple butter clearly makes it so moist!

CC11 said...

:( I wish we had such delightful creations like cinnamon chips down here - your cake looks yummy :)

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A great combo, indeed! I love cinnamon...

Cheers,

Rosa

Lisa-Marie said...

I want to eat this and have it in my tummy now. We don't hae cinnamon chips here. or butterscotch chips or any of the other ones that aren't chocolate.

MaryMoh said...

Looks very moist and delicious....lots of lovely surprises in there...mmm.

The Blonde Duck said...

You can never go wrong with apples or cinnamon. Oh yum.

sweetlife said...

I just recenlty spotted cinnamon chips in the baking aisdle..too perfect, I love the combo of cinnamon chips and apples

sweetlife

oneordinaryday said...

I haven't met a Hershey's recipe I haven't liked yet. Good idea for using those cinnamon chips, Grace.

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

Oh Grace! Looks heavenly!

Gloria Baker said...

Love cinnamon this look georgeous!!
Gloria

Cara said...

I don't blame you. Can apples even exist without cinnamon? I think not ;)

Lucie said...

Those closeups are amazing! I feel like I can taste it--but then I realize I'm eating yogurt instead :( Drool-worthy recipe!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I am certainly a cinnamon lover Grace!!!

Albany Jane said...

I'm gonna go out an a limb and suggest renaming this to Grace's Crack Cake.

Just sayin'

Kathy Walker said...

I have an attachment to apples and cinnamon, also. There isn't a better combination!!

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

I was recently served an apple cake that didn't have cinnamon and it just tastes like something major was missing!

kat said...

Apples & cinnamon, a match made in heaven

Marjie said...

cinnamon chips? Sounds like my daughter will have to go hunting on her spring break next week!

nazarina said...

I do think that apples & cinnamon go very well together. I bet your kitchen attracted many for this warm & inviting aroma.This is one way of making people "wonder what is she cookin?" I wish I could be there to get some!

Pam said...

I have a confession to make Grace. I've never been a huge fan of baked apples, not in pies, cakes or cookies. However, your love for all things with apples and cinnamon makes me want to give them another chance.

This is my kind of coffee cake - extra cinnamon and I happen to love apple butter.

Carolyn Jung said...

Oooh, cinnamon chips, too?? I bet this is one tongue-tingling cake. ;)

lisa is cooking said...

This sounds like a really good coffee cake! The hint of maple with all the other goodness here sounds great.

Lindsey @ pickyeatings said...

I have never used cinnamon chips before, but I am so with you on the cinnamon and apples. I imagine that cinnamon chips are amazing, and a bit hard to find.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I've professed my love for cinnamon many a time, so it isn't a shock to hear that your cake sounds extremely delish to me!
~ingrid

Bob said...

Holy crap that looks good. Apples and cinnamon truly is a fantastic combo.

Anonymous said...

Yum! Cinnamon chips are on my shopping list! Hope I can find them and make this delicious cake!

Melanie said...

I love me some chippage and this cake looks and sounds like a cinnamon-lover's dream. I've used cinnamon chips in a few applications before and have always been pleased with the results. Here's to another great cinnamon concoction!

Barbara said...

Still no cinnamon chips in my regular market. Amazing. One would think I lived in the boonies. Guess I'll have to look further afield.

Did I mention I mail ordered them once last year? They arrived in one big melted mass. (Will I never learn Florida is HOT? And UPS trucks are HOTTER?)I chipped away at it and made whatever it was (probably something of yours!) and it was delicious, but not going to do it again.
This recipe will go in my "hope to make someday if I ever see cinnamon chips" file.

Lisa L said...

Oh my, I am definitely going to have to try this recipe. I've never told you this, but cinnamon is my favorite spice, and - like you - I couldn't make a recipe calling for apples without using cinnamon as well. :o)

Shari said...

This looks so moist and delicious! Cinnamon chips in an apple cake: what could be better?

Sook said...

You're right. Cinnamon goes so well with apples!

Ms. Meanie said...

I LOVE apples+cinnamon so I am sure I would love this cake. I've never tried the cinnamon chips though, they sound so good..drool.

pam said...

Apples plus cinnamon are a match that can't be beat!

Hungry Dog said...

Why am I just learning about cinnamon chips? I want some!

And your glaze looks far superior to the one I recently attempted!

Julie said...

That combination totally works for me! Delish :)

Lyndas recipe box said...

If you have apples, you've got to use cinnamon! This is an addictive looking cake Grace-I love the addition of maple flavoring as I imagine it really adds a great hint of flavor.

Mimi said...

I knew from the title of the post this was about cinnamon. I still have a few bags of cinnamon chips from the holidays (that is the only time they are in our stores)so I can taste this too.
Mimi

shaz said...

Oh hello, where have cinnamon chips been all my life? Can't say I've seen them before but now I'm inrigued. Awesome cake Grace! Have a great weekend :)

Faith said...

Oooh, cinnamon chips are the perfect choice for this gorgeous cake! I bet that corner bite was like heaven! :)

Joanne said...

I'm pretty sure that if you were to look through all of my recipes there is a definite over-abundance of cinnamon. I'm an addict, what can I say.

Cinnamon definitely goes especially well with apples though. There is something extremely comforting about it. I love that this cake has cinnamon chips in it! It looks super moist and delicious. You know what else would go great in here? PB chips. Mmmm.

Dewi said...

I just love anything with lemon. It tastes just amazing.

Erica said...

I love the combination of flavors! Absolutely delicious.

Unknown said...

mmmm, that sounds delicious, especially the cinnamon... I love it too, especially with butter and walnuts.

Amy @ cookbookmaniac said...

Apple + Cinnamon + Cake = WIN!

The Teacher Cooks said...

This cake looks so moist. I will have to peruse the stores for the cinnamon chips. Have never used them before.

red ticking said...

i am on a 7 day cleanse... i dont think i can tune in until it's lover... you are killing me! xx

Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet said...

Looks supreme! What is better than cinnamon in a cake with apples. Comfort food at it's best! Enjoy your weekend.

Leslie said...

I would actually be shocked is you DIDNT use cinnamon!!!! Love love love it!

Unknown said...

Oh my. I'm a big fan of cinnamon and apples as well and this sounds amazing! I'll take that corner piece, please!

megan said...

oh yum! I've been looking for a good coffee cake recipe to take to sunday school. I'm trying this one! I love cinnamon chips!

Lori said...

I'll take a piece of that cinnamon chipage, apple luscious coffee cakish dessert for my breakfast tomorrow. Thank you very much.

M D said...

I love coffee cakes, but haven't got a chance to make one for myself. Ur cake looks really tempting... sure to try some day!

Lisa said...

Sounds like an exceptional coffee cake. I'm excited to see that it uses apple butter since I love to make it but often wonder what to do with it. And the maple, cinnamon and walnuts add interest in depth and texture. Mmmm!

Half Baked said...

OMG! That looks amazing!! Must go buy cinnamon chips immediately!!

Jaime said...

wow, everything about this sounds great... the apple butter, cinnamon, and cinnamon chips :)

laura said...

I'm a smidgen afraid to admit this to you, but I am not so sure I have ever had cinnamon chips. No wait, I bet I have in the cinnamon scones from my local coffee shop... nonetheless, why have I been ignoring them all these years? Must be because I always choose chocolate and never think twice. You are pushing me out of my comfort zone, grace... (:

Amy B. said...

One of the flavors I love the most is cinnamon! This cake will be perfect for me. ;-)

cinnamon and apples is indeed a good combination

Cate O'Malley said...

Love a good easy snack cake recipe - looks like the perfect way to start the morning!

Xiao Yen Recipes said...

Oh gosh, gotta try this recipe out! I love apple bread and this is just perfect to try something different.

Robin said...

I agree that this is all good. I have cinnamon chips AND apple butter hanging around here. I have yet to see a cake that uses apple butter, so this is good to see. Yay hershey!

Amanda said...

Really? Cinnamon, apple butter... and maple? Uh... totally drooling. MAN thats a great recipe!!

Blessings-
Amanda

stephen said...

Cinnamon chips? hmm never heard of them. sounds interesting. The cake sounds wonderful!spice explosion!
I will add that there are MANY lower grade cinnamon's on the market and substitutes that can fool the best of us. If and when any cook wants to take their love of cinnamon to the next level I suggest getting the best and real form. It's called Ceylon, and can be purchased in whole form. Grind it as needed.Much like coffee, fresh ground is best! also once a spice is ground, the freshness clock starts to tick, so use it right away. It might not be practical for all cooking applications, but if you truly love cinnamon then this is the gateway to cinnamon bliss :)

Maria said...

Cinnamon and I am IN:)

From the Kitchen said...

Hershey's Recipes? I haven't seen it. Can't believe there's a cookbook out there that I don't own! So glad to have found your delicious blog.

Best,
Bonnie

marla {family fresh cooking} said...

Oh yes, it is all right there in that bite sized chunk of cake....I just hope there is loads more where that came from!! Divine flavors :)

Dinners and Dreams said...

It looks dense, cinnamony and delicious!

Nisrine

Deborah said...

I would love a slice of this right now for dessert!

Anonymous said...

mm. cinnamon.. apples.. cinnamon.. bananas..
it just makes everything so much better.
i'm a cinnamon lover, am loving this just from the sounds of it!

cookies and cups said...

I am an apple and cinnamon lover too! You can't go wrong....even most of the candles in my house are apple and cinnamon. It's kind of a problem :)

Eve said...

um, yes please. Cinnamon Coffee cake? Can't get any better.

kimberleyblue said...

It's hard to go wrong with a good coffee cake, especially when it's filled with cinnamon. The texture on this looks spot-on, and that little touch of frosting looks like it's just enough.

Sophie said...

I'm right there with you, apples and cinnamon HAVE TO go together! This cake has my name all over it. Holy cow, I am really wanting some right now!! And apple butter?! yes, please!

Esme said...

This looks delicious-I can smell the cinnamon. I love apples and cinnamon.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Just... wow. Pass me a fork!

Kerstin said...

Oh man, I really need to get my hands on some cinnamon chips - I'm drooling looking at that picture!

Laura said...

Have you seen my cinnamon chip bundt cake? It might be from before you knew me and I bet you would like it (ya think? ;) ). And I agree 110% about cinnamon and apples. This looks wonderful, must try....

Unknown said...

YUM!!! I've never baked with cinnamon chips and I don't remember even seeing them at the store. Now I MUST go on a hunt