After our success with churros, I ended up having leftover chocolate dip.
How that happened, I have no idea but I what I knew, was that it will be used in something.
The whole Sunday, after Cinco de Mayo, I was brain-storming what I could do to use this delicious dip. Enter Pioneer Woman.
Well, not in person of course. Because if she did, I would faint and there would be no fiesta but the ER for me.
Now, I trust Ree when she says it's "the best chocolate cake ever". But because it was a holiday, and because I like to challenge myself, I wanted to jazz it up a bit.
I halved the ingredients to make an 8" x 8" cake, and not a sheet cake on purpose. I wanted to infuse the cake with my mocha dulce de leche.
I am evil like that! Bwuahahahaha!
This cake was named by my oldest daughter.
She is a genius by the way.
And I am her mommy. 🙂
And Mocha Dulce de Leche Chocolate Cake with Mexican Chocolate Ganache is a mouth-full.
So here you have it: chocolate cake, infused with mocha dulce de leche and topped with Mexican chocolate ganache. Fiesta in your mouth, baby!
Fiesta Cake
for the cake:
1 c all-purpose flour
¾ c granulated sugar
a dash of salt
2 tablespoon cocoa powder
½ c ( 1 stick ) butter
½ c boiling water
¼ c buttermilk ( or sour milk - see note below )
1 large egg, beaten
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon vanilla
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add cocoa. Whisk until combined.
Add boiling water and cook it all for about 30 seconds.
Pour the chocolate mixture over your dry ingredients and fold it in with wooden spoon or spatula.
In a small mixing bowl, combine buttermilk or sour milk, egg, soda and vanilla.
Add it to your chocolate mixture. Stir it in until all is smooth and combined.
Pour into prepared baking pan.
Bake 30 - 35 minutes, or until the toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
source: Pioneer Woman
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for the Mocha Dulce de Leche:
1 c freshly brewed coffee
½ whipping cream
½ c granulated sugar
In a medium saucepan, bring the coffee to a boil.
Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved.
Cook for 15 minutes on medium-low heat, until it becomes syrupy.
Add the cream and whisk until smooth.
The mixture will be very thin but it will thicken up as it cools.
Transfer into a jar and refrigerate 12 hrs or overnight.
makes: about ¾ cup
for the Mexican chocolate ganache:
1 egg yolk, beaten
¼ c heavy cream
¼ c milk
¾ c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Place the chocolate chips into a small bowl. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the yolk and cream. Heat to boiling, whisking constantly. Immediately pour over the chocolate chips. Let stand for 3 - 5 minutes.
Heat the milk in the same saucepan and add to chocolate cream mixture.
Whisk together until smooth.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and whisk again.
Refrigerate for 1 hr, until thicker.
Pour over warm cake. It will thicken up as you let the cake cool.
makes: about ¾ cup
Assembly:
While the cake is still warm, poke the top with a toothpick. You need holes to infuse the cake with dulce de leche. Pour the mocha dulce de leche over the cake, spreading gently with spatula.
Let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes.
Pour the chocolate ganache over the top. It will melt but that is ok. It will thicken up again while the cake cools.
Cool the cake completely. If you can wait that is! I cut out a piece after just few minutes. Are you surprised? 🙂 The cake was tricky to cut, because the toppings were not set yet, but the warm cake with dulce de leche and the ganache was so incredibly good!! Still, wait until it cools or you will burn your mouth.
Note on sour milk:
If you don't have buttermilk on hand, pour ¼ cup of milk into a measuring cup and take away 1 teaspoon. Now, replace that teaspoon of milk with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Stir. Let sit for a couple of minutes and you have sour milk you can use in place of buttermilk. I do it all the time and it always works. Always.
Angie's Recipes says
A rich and decadent cake!
Have a great weekend!
Angie
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Angie!
Kristen says
That is one great looking cake. The moist, yummy, gooey topping...be still my heart!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Kristen!
Kristina says
Those pics are soooo tempting! Your cake looks so moist and decadent Anna! Its not even 9 am and I am CRAVING a slice of this 🙂 And the mocha dulce de leche with the chocolate ganache sounds incredible! Can you tell I'm in love with the cake.... haha
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I wish I could serve you up a piece, Kristina! I know you would love it 🙂 Thank you, sweetie!
Soni says
Oh my!Gorgeous!!I'm literally craving for a bite of this right now Anna!!Seriously,awesome pics and a great use for your leftover chocolate dip 🙂
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you, my friend 🙂
Curry and Comfort says
Goodness... the CHOCOLATE... It's almost memorizing!! What a great way to use up the dulce de leche chocolate recipe. Take a bow my friend.... this is completely outstanding. 🙂
PS..I love the Pioneer Woman too. 🙂
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Lol 🙂 Thank you so much, Ramona!
MyFood says
This is festive. We had chocolate mug cakes with pecans and almonds when we celebrated Cinco de Mayo. I love the super rich color of this cake. A must try for a chocoholic like me.
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much 🙂
Tiffany says
Sweet Anna, I just had to wipe the drool off my table. I know, not very becoming. But oh.my.heavens, girl! This looks incredible. I so wish I lived next door! 🙂 xoxox
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
That would be sweet indeed! 🙂 Thank you, my friend!
Baking Serendipity says
I always end up with recipe names that are a million words long. I need your daughter's help too! This cake looks amazing 🙂
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Like I said: she is a genius! 🙂 Thank you so much, Sarah!
Lizzy says
I've made Ree's fabulous cake before, but you just made it even better!!! What an incredible idea! You rock, my friend!!!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you, Lizzy! That means so much!
atthepatisserie says
Props to your daughter for naming this dessert perfectly! it sounds so yummy! I love the cinnamon-spiced ganache especially 😀
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much, sweet Ann! She will be so happy to know that you like the name 🙂
Kim Bee says
Oh my gosh Anna. This had me cursing out loud when I saw it. Apparently gorgeous cake brings out the sailor in me.
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Lol And your comment made me laugh! 🙂 Thank you, Kim!
Carrie Burrill says
Ree might have THOUGHT her version was the best chocolate cake ever... but I can tell from your photos how ridiculously moist and awesome this cake must have been. Bookmarking this one for later!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Yay! I am so glad you liket it, Carrie! Thank you!
SerenaB says
Looks delicious sweetie! Please pass a piece over here!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Will do! 🙂 Thank you, Serena!
Tina Bk says
I knew you would make something delicious with that Mocha Dulce de Leche! Now I am wishing I had this for my birthday cake. Not big and fancy but really big on flavor-yum! Well done!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Tina! That means a lot. 🙂
Jessica says
Oh. My. Goodness. This sounds amazing!! My mouth is watering. . .
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you, sweet Jessica 🙂
Baking Addict says
wow just wow I want a slice NOW!! I love the name of the cake too as the original is a mouthful! Bookmarking now 🙂
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you 🙂 Let me know if you make it!