Super Yummy Cinnamon Squares

Yum. Cinnamon Squares.

Cinnamon, Chocolate, Espresso. Serious Yum.

Today is my friend's Yuko & Chikara's 4th Anniversary! They are in Japan and I want to wish them a Happy Anniversary! (If you lived closer, I would have baked you a cake!) Hopefully, I'll visit Japan in the fall and bring something across the Pacific (and Narita Express).

As I continue through Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From my Home to Yours book, I saw this recipe for Cinnamon Squares (page 210). The cake looked good, but I wasn't sure of how all the flavors would come together....as I discovered, them come together good. I totally recommend this recipe for a light dessert. Enough chocolate to satisfy, but not overwhelming.

I only had bittersweet chocolate in Ghirardelli chips, so I had to throw them into the food processor to get them smaller for the filling. Next time, I'll definitely make sure I have bar chocolate to finely chop. By the way, my cat has finally climbed off the ceiling after unexpectedly hearing the food processor - it sounded like it was grinding bricks!

1. Layer batter, 2. Bittersweet chocolate, 3. Mixture of cinnamon, sugar and instant espresso powder (followed by another layer of batter), 4. My new Magic Line 8 x 8 pan - I looked at the bottom of my other Magic Line pans and noticed it said, "Gardena, CA" which is in the South Bay. I found their website and went to their factory/storefront. I wish I had found them earlier! I think I have about 10 round, square and rectangle pans from them that I bought at Surfas and Sur la Table. These square pans are totally square - the edges come out very, very clean. Love it!

The frosting couldn't be more easy! Melt butter and bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler...and spread it on the cool cake! Very chocolate and very smooth.