I agree with Nicole that the texture of the bar is more like a cake than a cookie, so I updated the name accordingly. It smelled fabulous as the batter came together. I love coffee and cinnamon so this recipe called to me. The only changes I made (besides the name!) is to double the cinnamon and leave out the nuts. It's quite cinnamon-y this way, but that's the way I like it so you can feel free to drop it back down to a 1/2 teaspoon. I'm not a fan of hazelnuts and normally would have substituted almonds, but we were out of them. I'm looking forward to having a piece with a great cup of french press coffee this weekend as my breakfast. I think the flavors and texture lend itself perfectly to breakfast and might even try a version with more of a streusel top versus the glaze here to push it towards the coffeecake realm (and more socially acceptable breakfast option).
I was also playing around with the settings on iPhoto on my iPad and found this 'artistic' rendition amusing:
Coffee Cinnamon Snack Cake
from Cookies on Friday
Ingredients:
Cake:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 egg
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar1/4 teaspoon vanilla
About 2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream the brown sugar, shortening and egg in a stand mixer for 3 minutes.
- While the mixer is working, steep the espresso powder in the warm water, stirring to dissolve.
- Add the water mixture, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda to the sugar mixture and beat slowly to combine. Add the flour in thirds (1/2 cup at a time), mixing to combine between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out from the center with no crumbs. Allow to cool.
- Combine the glaze ingredients, starting with just 1 tablespoon milk. Whisk together and slowly pour in the second tablespoon of milk until reaching desired consistency.