Chocolatey Mexican Mole Cake with Cinnamon and Vanilla

Name: Chocolatey Mexican Mole Cake with Cinnamon and Vanilla
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour; Baking Powder; Baking Soda; Salt; Unsalted Butter; Granulated Sugar; Eggs; Vanilla Extract; Buttermilk; Unsweetened Cocoa Powder; Ground Cinnamon; Ancho Chili Powder; Ground Nutmeg; Heavy Cream; Dark Chocolate, chopped; Vanilla Extract; Ground Cinnamon; Cayenne Pepper; Chopped Pecans; Cocoa Nibs; Edible Gold Leaf

A Decadent Spiced Chocolate Cake

This rich and moist Mexican chocolate cake is infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon and vanilla, finished with a luxurious mole-inspired frosting.

1 h 45 min
10
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Cake

All-Purpose Flour

1 ¾ cups

Baking Powder

1 ½ tsp

Baking Soda

½ tsp

Salt

½ tsp

Unsalted Butter

1 cup, softened

Granulated Sugar

1 ½ cups

Eggs

3 large, room temperature

Vanilla Extract

1 tsp

Buttermilk

¾ cup

For the Chocolate Spice Mix

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

¾ cup

Ground Cinnamon

1 ½ tsp

Ancho Chili Powder

½ tsp

Ground Nutmeg

½ tsp

For the Mole Frosting

Heavy Cream

½ cup

Dark Chocolate, chopped

170g

Vanilla Extract

1 tsp

Ground Cinnamon

¼ tsp

Cayenne Pepper

Pinch

For the Decorative Garnish

Chopped Pecans

2 tbsp

Cocoa Nibs

1 tsp

Edible Gold Leaf

optional

Preparation

Preparing the Cake Batter

Preheat & Prep Pans

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round baking pans.

Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

Cream Butter & Sugar

Cream butter and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

Incorporate Dry & Wet Ingredients

Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.

Creating the Chocolate Spice Mix

Sift Spice Ingredients

Sift together cocoa powder, cinnamon, chili, and nutmeg.

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to prevent batter curdling.

Fold into Batter

Fold the spice mix into the cake batter until well combined.

Divide Batter

Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.

For a perfectly even cake layer, use a scale to divide the batter equally.

Cooking Process

Bake the Cakes

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Prepare the Frosting

Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate, let sit for 5 minutes, then mix with cinnamon, vanilla, and cayenne until smooth.

Frost the Cake

Allow cakes to cool completely, then spread frosting over one layer, place the second layer on top, and cover cake with remaining frosting.

Plating & Serving