Spicy Chocolate Ginger Cake
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Author Notes: I’ve loved gingerbread ever since I discovered Laurie Colwin’s Home Cooking. I love how you can throw it together in a short time, and that you can vary the spices according to your taste. I love how it can be shallow and dense and chewy or light and fluffy. This cake is a cross between gingerbread and chocolate spice cake.
The cake uses three kinds of ginger--freshly grated (I used a microplane, a snap when the ginger is frozen), ground spice, and candied. It also contains Chinese five-spice powder and black pepper. You don’t taste the pepper; there’s just an undertone of heat.
Unlike a lot of cakes, it is even good warm out of the oven. And the flavors develop as it cools. Perfect for when your best friend pops over for coffee.
- drbabs
Food52 Review: This cake delivered everything it promised; a hybrid of gingerbread and chocolate spice cake. Spice notes were subtle, not "in your face." I especially loved the 5-spice powder. Very sophisticated, mellow flavor, not too sweet, perfect texture. The only change I will make when I make this again (and I will), would be to reduce the salt in the topping; the 1 tsp was a little too much for me, but go by your own taste preferences there. - Tarragon
Makes 1 8" square cake
- For the Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. Other salts are more salty. Use less.)
- 2 teaspoons Chinese 5-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
- For the Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (from about a 2 inch long piece)
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- For the topping:
- 2-3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 2-3 large pieces candied ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Heat oven to 350 and generously butter an 8 inch square cake pan. Melt the butter and set it aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices and cocoa.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the butter, yogurt, milk, brown sugar, molasses, grated fresh ginger and eggs. Whisk till thoroughly blended. Pour into bowl with flour mixture and gently fold until completely combined. The batter will be thick like brownie batter. Scrape it into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Combine the turbinado sugar, chopped candied ginger, salt, allspice and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the top of the cake. Bake for 40-50 minutes till a tester comes out clean. Eat it warm or at room temperature.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Chocolate & Spice
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over 1 year ago tota
Bingo! I think your comment on the varied salts might be the key to our slight differences. I did use Mortons, I have so many various sea salts but that is the kosher on hand, so it may have been this. But don't think for a minute the cake did not get eaten and enjoyed! Thanks.
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.
over 1 year ago tota
made this last week and it was excellent...a grown up cake, not too sweet and interesting spices but..have to agree with the comment about salt (and I am a huge salt fan) I cut back a bit on topping but still found it a teensy bit oversalted. Though the chococlate-seasalt thing does work nicely! so would still keep it, just reduce amount.
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Hi--this is the 2nd comment about the topping being salty, and I think it may be that we used different salts. I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, which is somewhat less salty than Morton's or regular salt. See this discussion: http://www.food52.com/hotline...
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
That said, i'll be more specific in the recipe.
over 1 year ago Jessica Toal
This looks absolutely incredible -- added to my to do list, thank you!
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks. It's really easy and good. One of my favorite things that I made this year so far!
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks, mrslarkin.
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Wonderful, I also really love gingerbread and chocolate is the perfect addition. It looks so moist and delicious!
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks; it has held up well. I just had a piece with a cup of tea.
over 1 year ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Sounds so good, drbabs. Gingerbread is the perfect vehicle for chocolate and spice! I use the frozen ginger trick, too - it's so great.
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Oh, this does sound lovely. Thanks for the tip about grating the ginger with a microplane while frozen! I like your use of the three gingers + allspice (an under-appreciated spice, to my mind). What a great idea, too, to put the allspice on the very top, where you can smell it while taking a bite. Mmmmmmmm. ;o)
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks for your sweet comments. Please come for coffee and cake any time.
over 1 year ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Okay, this sounds beyond fantastic! I love the use of the 5-spice. I'd come over for coffee and this cake any time!
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Let me know when you're in NY and I'll make it for you!
over 1 year ago aargersi
Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I heart this a LOT! I am coming over when Liz does, K??
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Anytime! You're always welcome.
over 1 year ago Lizthechef
Oh, I love this! I'm a huge fan of ginger and Laurie Colwin. Can I be your best friends and come for coffee and cake ;)
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks! It would be my honor to have you as my best friend. :)