Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread

SO! 

One morning I was in Starbucks and saw this incredible chocolate bread. Normally I am not terribly smitten or tempted by the baked goods at Starbucks (frankly they are usually overpriced and stale)... but this looked so amazing I had to try it. BOY! Did it deliver.  So much so that I googled it and found the recipe.

Now, I have made 2 batches and I have to tell you.... You MUST follow the recipe exactly and the dutch processed cocoa is key ( I finally found mine at Sprouts). The first batch I made with regular unsweetened baking cocoa and the bread was just okay. Not the bread that I had at Starbucks. The second time I had found the right cocoa and the finished product was perfect. 

Without further adue... I give you....

Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread

Ingredients (makes two loaves):
Chocolate Batter –

• 3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 cups flour
• 1 ¼ cup dutch processed cocoa
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 F. Grab two 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans and line with parchment paper.
Step 2 – To mix the batter you’ll start with the butter and sugar. Mix these in an electric mixer until light and creamy, around 5 minutes. Then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to get them fully mixed in.

Step 3 – Grab another bowl and sift together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, water and vanilla. With your mixer on a low speed, begin adding the contents of each bowl to the butter mixture, alternating between the two until your mixture is fully blended, but not overly whipped. Then split your batter between the two pans. If your batter is slightly uneven, you can lightly shake the pan to even out the tops.


Cocoa Spice Topping –

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp dutch processed cocoa
• Pinch of ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves
• ¼ cup sparkle sugar (for decorating)

Step 4 –  For the topping combine the sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, ginger and cloves. Then evenly layer the decorating sugar over your batter, followed by the spice mixture.
Step 5 – Bake for 45-50 minutes.