Did you know that the combination of chocolate and cinnamon is a classic Mexican dessert flavor? This fabulous Mexican chocolate cake is perfect for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
While most chocolate cakes start by beating butter and sugar together, this is a saucepan cake. It starts by melting butter with chocolate and water in a saucepan. That makes the cake moister, and also enhances the chocolate flavor of the cake. It also means this cake is easier to make!
Ingredients
For the Cake
4 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup hot water
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs (beaten)
2 teaspoons vanilla
For the Frosting
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
8 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Steps to Make It
Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this Mexican chocolate dessert is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for baking.
Make the Cake
1 Gather the ingredients.
2 Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9- x 13-inch pan with nonstick baking spray containing flour and set aside.
3 In a large saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter in the hot water and bring to a boil.
4 Remove from heat and add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk or eggbeater.
5 Then stir in the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
6 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top springs back when touched with a fingertip. The cake should pull away from the sides of the pan slightly.
Make the Frosting
1 Gather the ingredients.
2 While the cake is baking, make the frosting. In a heavy saucepan, melt 2 squares of the chocolate and 1/4 cup butter together.
3 Add powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla and beat well. You may need to add more milk or powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency: the frosting should be pourable and smooth, not stiff and spreadable.
To Assemble the Cake
1 When the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
2 Then pour the frosting over. Spread if necessary, and let the cake cool.
3 Slice, serve, and enjoy!