A few weeks ago, I was in charge of bringing dessert to a couples dinner organized through church. It’s an informal monthly dinner with 4 other couples around our age – none of whom eat a vegan or vegetarian diet. I’m pretty sure one couple said their favorite food was meat when we first exchanged notes. Of course that means I’m supposed to WOW everyone with yummy plant-based food!
Each dinner is potluck style, so I picked the entrée the first month. I made my Vegetable Lasagna and scaled back the spice for our guests. I know my tendency is to make things spicier than people sometimes are used to.
Last month, it was our turn to bring dessert and I was feeling adventurous. I broke the “rules”, which I often do, and created something new to share with the group. Certainly that’s the best place to test new recipes, right?
I feel confident that I’ve expanded my reputation for good, spicy food with this combination of chocolate and cayenne. I got several strange looks when I explained what was in the mix and may have made it a little spicier than necessary, but man was it good! Moist, chocolatey, with a finishing kick that is perfect for spice connoisseurs like Kirk and I!
For those a little less crazy, I offered an range of cayenne pepper measurements, so you can adjust the flavors from subtle to spicy! I made my version with the full spice amount.
Chocolate Spice Cake
by
Keywords: bake brunch dessert nut-free soy-free vegan vegetarian
Ingredients (6-8 servings)
For the cake
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 – 1 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 2 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
For the glaze
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cocoa
- 1/4 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
For the cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour through cloves. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining cake ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until completely mixed.
Pour mix into a bundt pan coated with cooking spray and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove and allow to cool. Flip over onto cake stand or plate for serving.
For the glaze
Combine the maple syrup, cocoa, and cayenne and mix until fully integrated. Heat for 15-20 seconds in microwave, if desired. Drizzle over the cake and serve immediately!
My mouth is watering thinking of this cake, I could go for another slice right now! I’m actually fighting something off right now (hopefully just a cold) and a little spice always seems to help with that.
And since I know this isn’t the most traditional mix of ingredients, I have to join Laura’s Strange But Good link-up this week. If you haven’t checked out this weekly series on Fridays, make sure you drop by this week so see what other “strange” creations are shared!
Looking for a little less spice in your chocolate? Check out these other sweet creations:
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Questions for you:
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What do you think of a dessert with a kick?
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Do you make tried & true recipes or new experiments for guests?
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never been one for spicy foods – from time to time it’s okay but it’s not usually a go-to for me, but this looks really good! Feel free to save me a slice next time! ;)
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..WIAW Honesty
I think being raised on spice made it a favorite of mine, but not everyone needs to be a fan like me. :)
I bet yours was the best dish! I love spicy, so you know I want the FULL amount. I can’t believe I’ve never combined cloves and cayenne… I feel an oatmeal bake coming on…
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Healthy Travel Food + WIAW
You’re always so sweet – thanks! I knew you would like this with all the kick intended. And this would be a great oatmeal bake variation.
And I just realized I never added the strange with good linkup – dang. I’m sick this week, that’s my only excuse!
I love the combo of spice and dark chocolate. Have you tried Vosgoes dark chocolate bar with wasabi and ginger, I think. It’s amazing!!!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad and M²T³ Event
Ooh, I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounds fantastic. I need to find that one!
Ohhhh . . . I found it in a post I wrote!! Black Pearl Bar. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. http://eatmovebalance.com/our-own-walking-tour-of-chicago/
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Mouth-Watering Baked Halibut
I am definitely in for the full spice amount – this sounds GOOD. and how very brave of you to use a new recipe – (I often do the same thing…) :)
Kristina recently posted..raspberry lemon cheesecake cookies
Oh yes, I think you would appreciate the fun kick at the end. I’m glad you’re crazy like me…living on the edge. ;)
I am really bad about making things too spicy for others too. Something I have to be really conscious of. I don’t think I’ve ever made a dessert recipe that called for spice, but it always intrigues me
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..New Spin Workout and Way to Go Wednesday
I’m glad I’m not the only one! :) One day I’ll figure out what “spicy” tastes like to normal people. If you like spice, you would love this. I love chocolate and spice together!
Ooh, looks delicious! I love the chocolate-cayenne combo. Pinning this to try sometime!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..WIAW + Benefits to eating in Season
Thanks Laura – I hope you get to try it! :)
Looks yummy! I however can’t handle spice, so I would have to go with low amount, maybe even less than that.
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..Year of Baking: Flour’s Intense Chocolate Brownies
It would still be good with the low amount, that’s the beauty of spicy food – it can always be adjusted to taste. ;)
SOUND DELISH! I must try!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Post-op Update
Oh yes – I have always thought spicy food was healing, so maybe it will help you too?! ;)
Oh yummy yummy. I always ‘over spice’ and ‘under salt’ for most people, but I figure, if it works for me, who cares? :)
This looks amazing, and sounds delicious. Sometimes it’s fun not to tell people what is in there at all. When I made my Blueberry Mustard Stuffed Squash at Christmas, I definitely didn’t want to cop to the fact that the reason it was slightly pinkish brown was because of blueberries…
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Cookies. With Cream. [Plant Fusion Giveaway + #WIAW]
Me too! I am getting better at salt, but I remember growing up and being told to skip that in recipes, so I’m still adjusting. I love that you keep it a secret, I should learn to keep my mouth shut. I’m no good at that! ;)
That sauce with maple syrup sounds so good! I’ve had a chocolate chili bar once and I liked it but I think that’s the only dessert I’ve had with a kick!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Itz WIAW
I licked the bowl on that syrup. But let’s be honest, I licked the bowl with the cake too. This is why I don’t eat as much homemade dessert – I end up eating so much while I bake. ;)
I absolutely love cayenne pepper and dark chocolate together, next party I throw or have to bring a dessert to, I will strongly consider creating this!
Lizzie recently posted..The Joys of Sticking with a Plan
Me too – such a great combo!! It would be great to share at a party – let me know if you make it.
Heather, I have to tell you, I almost never look at a recipe and think “Yes. I would make it just like that.” I am always immediately thinking about how I would change it (probably to a fault…), but this? I would make it. Exactly how it is. Maybe it’s because this is exactly how I like my baked goods (healthy and whole wheat, but without all sorts of weird things added and substituted), or the fact that I LOVE spicy chocolate, but I am ALL ABOUT this recipe, and your pictures look great!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Chai Spiced Vanilla Bean “Buttermilk” Muffins
Oh wow – I can’t tell you what a complement like that means to me! Thank you so much Ari! :) You’ve made my day (and night!).
Cayenne pepper in a cake… humm wound interesting! Do you think you could make this in two loaf pans if you dont have a bundt pan?
Reba- Not So Perfect Life recently posted..Mom’s Vegan Soft Pretzel Bread
Hmm..I think that would work. I’m not 100% sure what that would do with the rising of the cake, but it’s worth a try!
I’m sure you’re veggie winning over all of those people. And I’m a big fan of spice, so I would happily eat up some of this cake.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Good Reminders
I’m sure trying. To be honest, i think they think I’m a bit weird with my food choices, but that’s okay. We’re all a little weird in some way! ;)
I am the odd female that doesn’t like chocolate cake (however, yours does look fabulous!). Candy chocolate on the other hand? Yes, please. When I was living in Barcelona there was this little chocolate shop that had every chocolate combo known to man and the chocolate bar with chiles and cayenne was definitely one of my favorites!
xx Kait
Kait @ ChickadeeSays recently posted..Save The Children: Celebration of a Special Birthday
I know that feeling, I never used to like cake – not even for my birthday. My tastes have changed for things like this though. The chocolate from Barcelona sounds right up my alley!
Mmmm… I LOVE spicy things. You will never make things too spicy for me. I tend to spice things up too much as well!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..WIAW #36 Coconut Milk Obsession
It’s sounds like too much spice is more common than I thought, glad to hear I’m in good company! ;)
I like desserts period.
Cake looks wonderful :)
Kierston recently posted..Gratitude and Food.
Well said. :) And thank you!
Great pictures! I love making vegan or vegetarian dishes for meat-eating friends. They’re always shocked that they actually enjoy something that falls under one of those labels, haha.
Stacy @ Stacy Eats recently posted..Signed Up for a 10K
Mmmmm, chocolate! I’ve been on a chocolate kick lately. It’s actually starting to drive me a little bonkers. haha
I usually make tried-and-true recipes for guests, but this past weekend was an exception. Luckily it turned out well. :)
I might have to make this for my stepdad for his birthday. He’s a huge fan of spice cake!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted..WIAW: Experiments!
YUM! I love chocolate with spice or salt. There’s a delicious chocolate bar with chilies that I adore. Sadly, I am a *terrible* baker so this will probably never be made by me.
Carly @ Fine Fit Day recently posted..Pin It Party! (You’re invited)
Chocolate with chiles sounds divine! I really don’t think you need to be a good baker to make this at all. I wouldn’t say that about myself either. :)