This cake is not-too-sweet, complex, and a little naughty
Ingredients
(for the cake)
1 cup milk
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
3 tbsp Greek yogurt
2 eggs
¾ cup oil
¼ tsp almond extract
1 tbsp rum
1 cup brewed coffee
1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
Salt
1 tsp cinnamon
(for the frosting)
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla
2-4 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, make buttermilk by combining milk and lemon juice/vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
Add the rest of the wet ingredients.
Incorporate the dry ingredients.
Pour or spoon batter into lined/greased cake tins. Bake for 23 minutes.
Let the cakes cool then take them out of their tins.
Make the frosting by combining powdered sugar, cocoa, butter, vanilla, and 1 tbsp milk. Add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Frost the cakes and serve.
Tips
The rum cooks off
I know I called this an "adult" cake, but kids can eat it too. This cake does not contain alcohol. Alcohol cooks off in the oven, so all you're left with the is the rum flavor. But the flavor is still a bit adult, so don't expect all children to love it.
Taste
This cake isn't a basic chocolate cake. I prefer it because of its more adult flavor. It's not very sweet, which makes the sweetness of the frosting perfect. This cake is complex in flavor: rum, cocoa, cinnamon, almond, and coffee. The cocoa will lead with a hint of rum following. Instead of shining through as distinct flavors, the cinnamon, almond, and coffee add depth.
Use a toothpick
Check if the cakes are down by sticking a toothpick in them. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
Level the cakes
The domes on my cakes were a bit uneven, so I cut them to be more level. This is a great way to test taste you creation before frosting it, and it will make stacking the cakes easier.
Calories
Baked goods are often high in sugar, fat, and carbs. As someone who bakes often, I have to watch how much I eat. I love to eat. I do. I also love to have a healthy body. That being said, I appreciate when a recipe states a calorie count. So I've decided to provide that for you.
Total calories in the cake: 3638
Divide that number by how many slices you cut the cake into. I cut 12 slices, so each slice was 303 calories. This does not count the frosting. If you used different ingredients, your calories will be different.
Photos!
I made my mom a rum cake for her birthday two years ago, and I wanted to bake with rum again. Also, Rachel's Cottage really needed a chocolate cake post. I like this cake because it's complex in flavor and not too sweet. Don't get me wrong, I have a sweet tooth, but sometimes I need something less overwhelming. I'll be sure to make a more kid-friendly chocolate cake soon, but for now this should satisfy people with a more adult palate.
Love,
Rachel