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Home » Recipes » Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake {Happy New Year!}

Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake {Happy New Year!}

December 31, 2012 by Faith 30 Comments

DSC_6722(small)Ok, so I have to tell you right now: this cake has salad dressing in it.

Don’t leave. I promise there’s a method to my madness.

Have you ever had mayonnaise cake? If you have, this cake won’t seem so strange to you.

Actually, my mom’s recipe for Crazy Cake (which I know just about every family has their own version of) calls for vinegar and oil – the two main components of vinaigrette – so using a vinaigrette-style salad dressing in a cake didn’t sound completely off the wall to me.

DSC_6663(small)Last summer when I received all those Girard’s salad dressings to taste test, I was left with a fridge full of salad dressing, looking for ways to use it up. The Espresso Balsamic Vinaigrette was a very well balanced salad dressing. It had lovely coffee flavor with a hint of sweetness and a touch of tart flavor. There may have been savory spices in there (and I’m guessing there were), but it was so well balanced I couldn’t pick out any specifically. So, if I (inadvertently) added something like garlic to my cake it went unnoticed, lol. If you’re looking for a unique and decadent treat to serve for the New Year, this would be perfect.

I’m wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! May this year bring you happiness in every sense of the word.

DSC_6739(small)

Print
Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake
Prep time:  5 mins
Total time:  1 hour 5 mins
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
 
Ingredients
Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1¾ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1⅓ cups water
  • ⅓ cup Espresso Balsamic Vinaigrette (see note below for substitution)
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Butter, for the pan
  • Flour, for the pan
Mocha Glaze:
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon hot water
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch (about 1/16 teaspoon) sea salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon water
Other:
  • 2 teaspoons grated dark chocolate, for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F; butter and flour a cake pan (I used a pan 10½ inches long by 6½ inches wide by 2½ inches deep).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the water, vinaigrette, molasses, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk just enough to combine, being careful not to over-mix.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean or with just a couple crumbs, about 1 hour in the pan size that I used. Cool completely.
  4. For the glaze, dissolve coffee powder in hot water in a small bowl; stir in cocoa powder and salt. Stir in the powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon water until smooth. Spread the glaze on top of the cooled cake and sprinkle on the grated chocolate.
Notes
Cake Pan & Cooking Time: To cook the cake, I used a pan 10½ inches long by 6½ inches wide by 2½ inches deep, and the cooking time was about 1 hour; if you use a different size pan, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Espresso Balsamic Vinaigrette Substitution: If you can’t find this salad dressing you could very easily make your own. Mix together the following, whisking until the sugar is dissolved: 2 tablespoons espresso or very strong coffee, 1 tablespoon good quality balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons good quality olive oil (not extra virgin, which will be too strong-flavored for this), 1 teaspoon water, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 pinch salt, and 1 pinch black pepper. This will give you about ⅓ cup, the amount that is needed for this cake. And here is another idea, you could also whip up this vinaigrette when you’re making a grilled steak salad – so good!
3.5.3251

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: Cake, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Espresso Balsamic Vinaigrette, Recipes, Salad Dressing in Cake

Comments

  1. Catherine Maxey says

    January 23, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    Awesome recipe. Fabulous flavor. I baked as cupcakes so baking time was about 25 minutes.

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    April 22, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    This actually sounds really good! I like coffee and balsamic vinegar though! :P I am looking for a way to make extra cash at home. Did you get paid for taste testing?! I would be interested in info on that! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
  3. Carol | a cup of mascarpone says

    January 7, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I am so behind on all the wonderful recipes my favorite bloggers have created. Thank goodness I didn’t miss this lovely treasure. The cake sounds and looks fabulous, Faith! Happiest of New Years to you!!!

    Reply
  4. Ashley - baker by nature says

    January 3, 2013 at 11:30 am

    I can’t believe I almost missed this cake – what a gem! I love that you put such a unique twist on a classic.

    Reply
  5. Valynn @ Vanillyn says

    January 2, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    I’ve heard of mayonaise cake but espresso vinegar? Very interesting. I’m really curious on how it would taste like so I’ll make this real soon :)

    Reply
  6. Jessie says

    January 2, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    I’ve heard of dressing in cake, but I’ve never tried it. I’ll get the balsamic went really well with the chocolate!

    Happy New Year, Faith! I hope this year is even better than the last :)

    Reply
  7. Girlnapurpledres says

    January 2, 2013 at 4:32 am

    Wishing you a wonderful New Year Faith! This cake looks really yummy & I like the twist with the addition of coffee type dressing. Very interesting :)

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says

    January 1, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Chocolate is always good to bring in the year or end the year. Happy New Year Faith. Look forward to another good year of blogging together.

    Reply
  9. Nancy-SpicieFoodie says

    January 1, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Happy New Year Faith! I love adding espresso to chocolate goodies. Though I have to admit that I’ve never heard of either mayonnaise cake or adding vinegar. Then again I’m not much of a baker. Your cake looks amazing! Thanks for sharing:)

    Reply
  10. Shannon says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:55 am

    love the sounds of that salad dressing in a cake! (never thought i’d type that!) what a great idea, happy new year faith :)

    Reply
  11. Alison says

    January 1, 2013 at 8:30 am

    I love the way this cake looks and I like the idea of using an unusual ingredient! Yum!
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    January 1, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Oh this would be wonderful. It is such a good way to use up salad dressing a great recipe to tuck away

    Reply
  13. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    January 1, 2013 at 6:08 am

    Happy New Year, Faith!
    The cake looks fabulous!

    Reply
  14. Veronica says

    January 1, 2013 at 4:53 am

    Not weird at all, but very ingenious. Love it Faith! Happy new year to you.

    Reply
  15. Phong Hong says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    Faith, I have faith in your cake with salad dressing even though it does sound so weird :) It’s a great looking cake and I am going to take a leap of faith and try it. It would make a great conversation piece, eh? Happy New Year to you and your family and may 2013 bring all good things to all of you!

    Reply
  16. BeadedTail says

    December 31, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Sounds very interesting and looks good but I just can’t like coffee. Saves me calories this time right? :) Happy New Year to you Faith!

    Reply
  17. dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says

    December 31, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    wow this is quite a unique idea for a cake. I have never had mayo in cake before.. I love anything chocolate, espresso- I am sure this one is spot on too :) Happy New Years :)

    Reply
  18. grace says

    December 31, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    how devious of you! i’m pretty excited about the idea of this cake–it’s certainly one of the most unique creations i’ve seen lately!
    happy new year!

    Reply
  19. [email protected] says

    December 31, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Espresso Balsamico! Wow! Faith, this cake is beyond gorgeous!
    Happy New Year to you and to yours!! xo

    Reply
  20. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 31, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    You haven’t scared me off, I love the sound of this cake. Happiest New Year to you, Faith! xo

    Reply
  21. Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Very interesting addition….would never have thought of using salad dressing in a cake!

    Reply
  22. Erica says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:15 am

    I cannot believe this has salad dressing in it! How awesome is that! I want to try it for the salad dressing alone (but also because I love what espresso and chocolate do together). Gorg. Happy New Years

    Reply
  23. Heather @girlichef says

    December 31, 2012 at 10:43 am

    That cake looks perfect. I’ve had both mayo cake and tomato soup cake, so it doesn’t really sound all that strange to me…love the balsamic and espresso w/ the chocolate. Wishing you a very happy new year, Faith!

    Reply
  24. Kelsey @aslolife says

    December 31, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Happy New Year Faith–I think I’m going to need this to keep me awake tonight!

    Reply
  25. marla says

    December 31, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Beautiful chocolate cake & happy new year to you too!!!!

    Reply
  26. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    December 31, 2012 at 8:23 am

    It sounds delicious – balsamic goes well with desserts and sweets, so it makes sense to me!

    Reply
  27. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    December 31, 2012 at 8:12 am

    This cake sounds unreal! Love, love, love this!

    Reply
  28. deana says

    December 31, 2012 at 7:49 am

    I think it’s a great cake, Faith! WHen I was young, a friend and I used to joke about chocolate mayonnaise wonder cake as a bad thing to make. I was shocked when I saw a recipe for it but had to try… it was good! Chocolate and coffee are brilliant together.

    Have a happy new year! Now that I’m back to blogging I still have to write a blurb for your wonderful book!!!

    Reply
  29. Rosa says

    December 31, 2012 at 5:53 am

    A wonderful sounding cake and terrific flavor combination!

    Best wishes for 2013!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  30. Krista says

    December 31, 2012 at 5:50 am

    What an interesting addition to cake, Faith! :-) I’m delighted by the quirkiness of it, and imagine it would be absolutely delicious. :-) Happy New Year to you!! XO

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Faith and I write An Edible Mosaic. This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. I focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home. Welcome to my mosaic of recipes.

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