Cinnabon Coffee Cake and Why I Love Cinnamon

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What a wonderful email to wake up to!

"Hi Maria! I read your book 'Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism' at the first of Feb. After reading the book, I stopped eating wheat/gluten to see if my migraines would lessen or stop. I am 46 years old. I've had migraines since i was a teen. I'm so happy to say that I have had only one migraine in over 2 months. It happened the day after I accidently ate half a wheat roll at lunch time. The next morning, I woke at 3:00 (my usual time to wake with a migraine) with a huge one. I took imitrex and was able to muddle through the day. I LOVE your book. I have recommended it to so many people. I started rereading it this weekend when I took a quick trip to the mountains to hike - and search my soul. Thank you for writing the book and have a great page on Facebook. Oh plus - I've lost 15 lbs. No tummy bloat. My skin is looking so clean and clear. I wish I could have done this years ago." - D

Cinnamon health benefits!
1: Antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic: Cinnamon has been found to be effective in fighting vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections, stomach ulcers and head lice.

2: Anti-inflammatory: Many of us eat lots of fried, fatty and processed foods, and these foods cause inflammation of our internal tissues and organs, and this inflammation has been linked to one of the most life-threatening diseases of our time – heart disease.

3: Helps control blood sugar levels, and can significantly lower LDL “bad” cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids in the blood). A now almost famous study, was conducted by researchers from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2003 that showed that 60 people in Pakistan who had Type 2 diabetes, who ate 1 gram of cinnamon each day over a period of 40 days, experienced a significant decrease in their blood sugar levels, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

4: Excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium. The combination of calcium and fiber can help to remove bile, which prevents damage to colon cells, which helps prevent colon cancer. Fiber also can help with the relief of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Cake:
4 cups blanched almond flour (OR 1 cup coconut flour)
1 TBS aluminum free baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
2/3 cup butter or coconut oil
1 1/3 cups erythritol (or Swerve)
1 tsp stevia glycerite (omit if using Swerve)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs (6 eggs if using coconut flour)
2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
Cinnamon Syrup:
1/2 cup erythritol
1 tsp stevia glycerite
6 tbsp butter
1/3 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Layer:
8 oz cream cheese or coconut cream (if dairy allergy)
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 tsp Stevia glycerite (or to taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch pan. Stir together the almond flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter, 1 1/3 cups erythritol, stevia, and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating for at least 1 minute after each egg. Beat in the almond flour mixture alternately with the milk. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Remove cake from pan while it is still warm, and poke holes around the top of the cake with a fork.

To Make Cinnamon Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup erythritol, 1 teaspoon stevia, butter, water, 1 teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon. Heat and stir until butter melts. Pour onto warm cake or place in a serving dish and serve along with each slice of cake.

Cream Cheese filling: beat cream cheese with 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk and stevia (to taste). You can make this ahead of time and store in the fridge (it will get thicker overnight). Dollop a tablespoon or two on top of cake. Makes 14 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Cinnamon Cake = 396 calories, 21.9g fat, 3.6 g protein, 42 g carbs, 0.6 g fiber
"Healthified" Almond Flour Cake = 292 calories, 28g fat, 6.1 g protein, 4.3 carbs, 1.9 g fiber
"Healthified" Coconut Flour Cake = 244 calories, 22g fat, 4.9g protein, 5.5g carbs, 3g fiber


Click HERE to find a great cinnamon supplement to help balance blood sugar at meals.