Teacher Appreciation Week and a Recipe!

Altough I always seem to be nervous in the beginning of a new year, we have been lucky to have some wonderful teachers so far.  Full of fresh ideas and energy, I'm happy that Riley has been blessed with teachers who have been positive rolemodels and pushed her to work to her full potential.  It seemed only fitting to celebrate our teachers with some delicious snacks to say thank you!

Riley decided to use some King Arthur tins that her aunt and uncle gave her a few years ago to make an assortment of mini treats.  They came out really cute!

We made this recipe and split it up into the mini loaf pan, heart shape pan and muffin tins.  It went a long way - the treats were super cute and the teachers were feeling the love!

One-Bowl Chocolate Loaf Cake

(Makes one 9x5x3-inch or 9x4x4-inch loaf)

1 1/3 packed cups (6.67 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour

2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

1 tablespoon very strong coffee

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and lightly flour a 9x5x3-inch or 9x4x4-inch loaf pan.

2 Onto a sheet of waxed paper, sift together flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.

3 In large bowl, with electric mixer on medium, cream the butter. Add the sugars and continue creaming for about 3 minutes. Add the egg, and beat well. Add the buttermilk, coffee and vanilla extract. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix on low just until blended; do not overmix.

Note: If you don't have buttermilk on hand, just put a tablespoon of vinegar or fresh lemon juice in measuring cup and fill to the one-cup line with milk, stir, and let stand for 2 or 3 minutes.

4 Scrape into prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or you get a reading of 210 to 215 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).