Hot Cocoa Cake
Hot Cocoa Cake
Homemade hot cocoa is poured over a rich chocolate cake and served with gooey caramel sauce, warm chocolate ganache, whipped cream and toasted nuts. Recipe courtesy of Imperial Sugar.
Prep Time
1
hour
Cook Time
25
minutes
Servings
12
Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup imperial sugar extra fine granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup imperial sugar extra fine granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup imperial sugar dark brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cup milk
- 4 tablespoon imperial sugar dark brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 6 ounces or 1 cup chocolate chips (about 55% cocoa)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hazelnuts or any type preferred nuts
- ganache or chocolate sauce (optional)
- crème chantilly
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Generously butter and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Separate eggs ensuring that no yolk traces enter egg whites.
- Using a whisk, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Then sift the dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a bowl large enough to handle all ingredients, whip egg yolks until smooth.
- Add first listed (2/3 cup) sugar and whip until the mixture is very thick and pale in color, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add vanilla and milk (1/3 cup) and mix until just combined.
- Set aside.
- Immediately whip egg whites using clean whip attachment in a separate bowl along with second listed sugar (1/3 cup).
- Whip to medium peaks.
- Do not whip stiff.
- Using a rubber spatula gently fold one-third of whipped egg whites into egg yolk mixture.
- Delicately fold in half of sifted ingredients.
- Once combined fold in another third of whipped egg whites.
- Fold in remaining dry ingredients followed by whipped egg whites.
- Scrape into prepared pan and place in oven.
- Bake until center of cake bounces back when lightly pressed with a finger, about 23-25 minutes.
- Keep cake in pan.
- While oven is still hot, scatter nuts on a cookie sheet and toast for about 8-10 minutes until fragrant.
- Set aside.
- Prepare caramel sauce by combining cream, butter, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan.
- Boil for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and set aside.
- If serving cake with ganache prepare it now and set aside.
- Prepare crème Chantilly.
- Set aside in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve cake, prepare the hot cocoa by bringing milk, brown sugar and salt to a boil.
- Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla.
- Pour hot cocoa over cake.
- If needed, to help the cake to absorb the liquid, prick some holes in surface with a fork or toothpicks.
- Cut cake in desired pieces and place on plates.
- If desired pour hot ganache over cake.
- Spoon whipped cream on top and drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle with toasted nuts.