Cinnamon-Cocoa Quick Bread

The captivating sweet aroma of cinnamon evokes happiness.Its essential oils have been used for aromatherapy since times immemorial,no wonder its a familiar spice in natural air fresheners.
There are two common kinds of cinnamon.The Ceylon cinnamon ,looks like a cigar ,is considered the real cinnamon,is relatively brittle,sweeter and aromatic than the others kinds.Its related common species Cassia Cinnamon,the thick barks,is much tougher to grind and has more intense flavor.This spice is considered good for controlling diabetes and lowering cholesterol.The rule of moderation also applies to cinnamon ,not healthy when consumed in excess.

Cinnamon is also the most common baking spice.The Cinnamon-Cocoa Quick Bread has been adapted from Kevin's Cinnamon Bread.Adding Cocoa is optional,make is exclusively with cinnamon for a cinfully good loaf of bread.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat flour
1 cup All Purpose Flour
1/2 a teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large organic eggs or replace with 1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup Reduced Fat Organic Milk or soy milk or almond milk
1/2 cup Organic reduced fat yogurt
1/4 cup Extra virgin Olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla(alcohol-free)
little bit of butter for greasing the pan

For Cinnamon Filling\Topping
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon(I used Cassia)
1 tablespoon unsweetened Cocoa powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven.Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with butter; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl sift the dry ingredients(flours,salt,baking soda and powder).
In another smaller bowl,crack the eggs ,whisk for few seconds then combine rest of the wet ingredients(sugar,oil,milk,yogurt and vanilla).
Pour this wet mixture in to the flour mixture,gradually while stirring it for a lump free batter.
Mix together the cinnamon filling\topping ingredients in a bowl.
Spread the 1/3rd of the batter in to the prepared pan,sprinkle 1/3rd of the cinnamon mixture all over the batter.Now spread 1/3rd of the batter,then sprinkle 1/3rd of the cinnamon mixture.Lastly spread rest of the batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon mixture.
Bake in the middle rack of the oven about 45-50 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool about 30 minutes;loosen the sides using a table knife,flip the pan on to the cutting board. Slice and serve.Can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.

This homemade quick bread is my entry for Homemade Bread #2




The click is my entry for Click-Wood,an exciting photography event started by Jai and Bee of Jugalbandi.