Loukia’s Cinnamon Cake

Yiayia’s cinnamon cake recipe is the one her friend Loukia Yiolides (who owned a bakery) used to make. This is the recipe. Most Greek recipes are REALLY COMPLICATED, but this is easy to make, even for me. Make sure you get a grown-up to help, especially with the oven, the stove, and cutting the cake.

Makes 1 tray, about 20 pieces

Ingredients

3½ cups self-rising flour

¾ cup sugar, superfine or caster

Pinch of salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 large eggs

1¼ cups milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

7 tablespoons butter, melted

For the Marbling

5 tablespoons butter, softened

½ cup brown sugar, softened

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Glaze

1 1/3 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

3½ tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9-by-12 baking pan.

For the cake batter, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.

Using an electric beater, whisk the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture until smooth. Add the melted butter gradually, continuing to beat, until batter becomes smooth and thick. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread gently with a rubber spatula.

For the marbling, beat the softened butter in a small bowl until very soft. Beat in the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until smooth, then set aside.

Spoon the marbling mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter and, using a fork, swirl the mixtures to create a marbled, streaky effect; don’t overwork it, the marbling mixture should not blend with the batter.

Transfer the dish to a middle shelf in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. If the cake starts to brown before the middle is set, cover the pan loosely with foil.

For the glaze, mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and, while the cake is still warm, pour the glaze evenly over the top of the cake, waiting for each addition to be absorbed before pouring more. Let cake set for a few minutes before serving. Serve while warm.