Frank’s Chocolate Cinnamon Cake
- Details
Need a chocolate fix? If you can’t decide between brownies, cake or fudge- make Frank’s Chocolate Cinnamon Cake and enjoy all three. The cake is dense and moist like a brownie, the frosting is like fudge, and the two combine to create the ultimate chocolate cake. Thanks, Frank!
Frank’s Chocolate Cinnamon Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup water
- 4 tablespoons Valrhona cocoa
- ½ cup shortening or coconut oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour, unbleached white or gluten free
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons Vietnamese cassia
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
For the Frosting
- 1 stick butter
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 4 tablespoons Valrhona cocoa
- 1 box (1 lb) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts, toasted and divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped ginger (optional)
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Melt butter in water then add cocoa and Crisco. Bring to boil, stirring well to incorporate the cocoa. Remove from heat.
- Mix the sugar and flour together in large bowl, and add the cocoa mixture. Stir well.
- Add the buttermilk, soda and cinnamon, stir to combine.
- Add the vanilla and eggs, stir to combine.
- Pour the batter into the greased baking pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
For the Frosting
- Begin making the frosting about five minutes before the cake is done.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, milk and cocoa, and bring to a boil. Whisk constantly until combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar, vanilla and ½ cup of the nuts.
- Stir briskly, mixing well, and spread on cake while both are still hot.
- Sprinkle the remaining nuts, chopped ginger and pomegranate seeds on top.
Notes
The frosting comes out very thick and hardens quickly so don't make ahead!
If using pomegranate seeds as a topping, wait for the frosting to cool slightly on the cake before adding or the seeds will release their juice. Not an entirely bad thing to have little pools of pomegranate syrup on your cake....
1 Comment
Leave a Comment
Quatre Epices Cake
This recipe from our friends at Sunset promises a citrus and sweet taste, followed by a glow or a kick — depending on whether the signature French four-spice blend is made with white or black pepper. Well, …
Sultry Spiced Short Ribs
Slow cooked short ribs are the perfect vehicle for spices, and these spiced short ribs have a secret ingredient. A milder cousin of the better known variety, Black cardamom has a deep smoky, earthy flavor …
Steamed Cuban Beef Buns (with Chicken Stock)
At one time, Havana’s Chinatown was the largest Chinatown in Latin America. The large influx of Chinese workers also brought food traditions such as dumplings, chow mein, egg rolls and fried rice which still linger …
Olive Oil and Juniper Brownies
Juniper is a lovely spice, and capable of so much more than it is often given credit for. These aromatic berries are layered with flavor: piney at first, but then giving way to a sweet …
Roasted Quail Feast for Valentines Day
Exotic. Aromatic. Romantic. We prepared this intimate feast with a table for two in mind. Using Ras El Hanout, which contains a hint of Moroccan rose petals, succulent quail are pefectly roasted and finished with a finger …
Hey Amanda,
Lovely recipe. I guess Frank was a real factor for the making of the Chocolate Cinnamon Cake. ‘The frosting comes out very thick and hardens quickly so don’t make ahead!’ – Great advice. Much appreciated.
Regards,
Leila