STARBUCK'S CHOCOLATE CINNAMON BREAD

FOR THE CHOCOLATE BATTER:
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR THE COCOA-SPICE SUGAR CRUST:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon unsweetned Dutch-processed cocoa powder
Pinch ground ginger
Pinch ground cloves
1/4 cup decorating or sparkle sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans and line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE BATTER:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar with the paddle attachment on medium speed, until light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating until each egg is completely incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides of the bowl several times.

Meanwhile in a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, water and vanilla. With mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to butter, beginning and ending with the flour and beating just until blended. Divide the batter between the two pans, shake the pans to even the tops and set aside.

TO MAKE THE COCOA-SPICE SUGAR CRUST:
In another small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, ginger and cloves. Sprinkle the surfaces of both batters with the decorating sugar. Sprinkle with the cocoa sugar mixture, dividing evenly.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely, run a thin knife around the sides to release the breads and remove from pans.

Makes 16 servings
Source: Marcus Samuelsson for Starbucks