Featuring guest authors; crafting tips and projects; recipes from food editor and sleuthing sidekick Cloris McWerther; and decorating, travel, fashion, health, beauty, and finance tips from the rest of the American Woman editors.

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Monday, February 13, 2012

COOKING WITH CLORIS -- MAGICAL MYSTERY MOCHA CAKE


In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re repeating one of our favorite to-die for desserts a la Cloris. -- AP

MAGICAL MYSTERY MOCHA CAKE

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
2T butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
4T cocoa
1T  instant coffee (optional, depending on how strong a mocha taste you want)
1 cup cold espresso or coffee (make it double strength for a stronger mocha taste)
1 cup either chocolate chips, dried cherries, dried raspberries, walnuts or combination of any of these

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Note: If using dried fruit, soak the fruit in warm water for 30 minutes.

Mix together first 4 ingredients.  Melt chocolate and butter.  Add milk and vanilla.  Stir to blend.  Add to flour mixture, stirring well until batter is smooth.  Mix in chocolate chips/dried fruit/nuts.  Pour into greased 8” x 11” pan.  Combine remaining sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, and instant coffee.  Pour evenly over batter.   Pour cold espresso over sugar/cocoa mixture.  Bake for 40 minutes.


For an even more decadent dessert, serve with a scoop of java chip ice cream. Just plan to diet for the rest of the month.


Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! How are you celebrating? Post a comment for a chance to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

3 comments:

Kathy said...

For a finishing touch, used heart stencils and confectioner's sugar or red sugar to decorate the top with hearts.

ANASTASIA POLLACK said...

Great idea, Kathy!

Jane R said...

This cake sounds yummy. My family usually isn't fond of mocha flavor but this might change their minds. I'm going to have to try it. Thanks!