Desert of the Month: Chocolate Cake with Homemade Caramel Drizzle

Whether it is Chocolate, Vanilla or Fruit flavored we all love something sweet, and being able to bake it at home is just an added bonus. The best part about this recipe is that it can be made in a pinch.

My Chocolate Cake with Homemade Caramel Drizzle uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, or after you read this they will become new staples.

My favorite part about making this cake is that it truly is a one-bowl recipe, the ease of a boxed cake with the taste of homemade. Also for anyone who has been to an older NYC apartment they know we do not all have dishwashers so the less dishes the better!

Chocolate Cake

Yields 12 Servings

Dry Ingredients: 1 Cup of Sugar, ¾ Cup of All Purpose Flour, 1/3 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (This may be the one ingredient you do not have on hand but you should, it is versatile and perfect for last minute baking for a party or a spur of the moment project with friends or your kids), ¾ Teaspoon of Baking Powder and ¾ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Wet Ingredients: 1 egg, ¼ cup of milk or your choice, I have used regular, lactaid and almond milk and they all work just fine, ¼ Cup of Vegetable Oil, 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract (hint in the winter peppermint extract can also be added for a chocolate peppermint cake) and ½ Cup of Bowling Water

This cake will come to life in a few easy steps:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, or your toaster oven which is where I do most of my baking. Start Boiling Water either on the stove or you can use an electric tea kettle, do not measure now just boil a good amount and you will measure when you are adding it. Using a medium sized mixing bowl add all of your dry ingredients and give them a quick whisk. 

Top: All your Dry Ingredients Mixed; Bottom: After Wet Ingredients have been added

Now add all of your wet ingredients including your now boiling water which you should use a measuring cup to add, be careful when pouring not to burn yourself and if you are making this with kids please use adult supervision. Whisk it all together! Use cooking spray on your cake, cupcake or loaf pans whichever your would like to use and then fill them ¾ of the way with your cake mix and put them in the preheated oven. Cook times will vary based on your oven and the pan you are using, I have found with cupcakes 15-20 minutes should suffice and for cakes 20-25 minutes based on size. When in doubt check every few minutes until you can put a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean. Now COOL your cakes in the pan for a few minutes and then on a cooling rack or even a plate. 

Once your cake is cooled simply pop it our of the pan by gently turning it over, you can display it on a plate or I used a cute little pie pan for a cleaner look and to show off the caramel drizzle

Once your cake is cooled you can start your... 

Caramel Drizzle 

½ Cup of Butter (4 Tablespoons), 2 Cups of Sugar and ½ Cup of Heavy Cream

Using a non stick pan on medium to low heat melt your butter slowly and be sure to not burn it, and when it is almost done add your sugar 1 Cup at a time stirring in between. Continue stirring constantly to avoid burning and until the caramel is a nice golden brown, now slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. Once it has all been incorporated and has a nice glaze consistency drizzle over your cake for a delicious and beautiful topping. Then sit and enjoy and accept the many compliments that will come your way from anyone who gets a taste.

If you are a Frosting lover this caramel can be made into a Caramel Butter Cream with a few extra steps, which you will be able to find in the downloadable version of this recipe.

Download the Recipe

Post by Amalia Queller of Queller Crafts

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HEALTH & BEAUTY: The Benefits of Dark Chocolate

When February arrives, we think of chocolate! Maybe it’s because of Valentine’s Day? Actually…it’s probably because we’re always thinking of chocolate. But not just any type of chocolate. Dark chocolate!

Milk and white chocolate are higher in sugar and fillers, while dark chocolate typically has a higher cacao (cocoa) content that has been touted for its health benefits.

So, how can something that tastes so good be good for us? It’s all in the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant power of flavonoids. Dark chocolate with higher cacao content has been shown to have various health benefits that include the following:

  • reduce stress
  • enhance mood
  • lower cholesterol
  • increase cardiovascular blood flow

The higher cacao content does lend to a more bitter taste. Despite that, we still prefer dark chocolate with 65% to 90% cacao. The higher the better for our tastes. While tempting to start loading up on dark chocolate for its health benefits, remember to consult your medical practitioner to address any specific medical needs.

For us, we’ll continue to toast to our health with more dark chocolate. Cheers!

published by Susan Ng | www.NaturallySusans.com | www.NaturallySusans.etsy.com