Dana Treat – Treat Yourself

Reading and Chocolate Cake

Posted February 17, 2010


Chocolate Spice Bread
The Sweet Life in Paris
Makes one 9-inch round cake

7 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
7 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 ¼ cup flour
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. whole anise seeds
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 large egg yolks
¼ cup honey
2/3 cup sugar

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper, and butter that as well.  Dust the insides with a bit of flour or cocoa powder, and tap out any excess.

2.  In double boiler or a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth.  Let cool to room temperature.

3.  In another bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.  Add the anise seeds.

4.  In the bowl of a standing mixer or with a handlheld mixer, whip the eggs, yolks, honey, and sugar until thick and mousselike, about 5 minutes on high speed.

5.  Fold half of the whipped eggs into the chocolate and butter.  Then fold in the remaining egg mixture.

6.  Add the dry ingredients one-third at a time, using a spoon to sprinkle them over the batter and folding until the dry ingredients are just combined.

7.  Scrape the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30 t0 35 minutes, until the  cake feels barely set in the middle, but still moist.

8.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.  Tap the cake out of the pan and cool completely on a rack  Wrap the cake in plastic and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours to let the flavors meld.

Storage: Well-wrapped, this cake will keep for about one week at room temperature, or one month in the freezer.


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