It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring… Do you remember that ditty from when you were a youngster? For whatever reason, it was a favorite of mine and my friends when we were in the primary grades. This March’s rain made me think of it again. We used to have a small snack, something like teatime, after we got home from school and had changed from school clothes to our play clothes. Many of the recipes my mother used were not written down, but when I saw this (minus the kahlua) recipe it made me think of the cake she used to make that she served without icing. My mother’s was a round cake while this is a loaf cake. Still, the taste is a reminder of long ago and, I think, quite similar to that cake I remember on a rainy, can’t play outside, kind of day. Have it with a delicious cup of warm cardamon flavored black tea (or your favorite tea) with a touch of milk.
Dark Mocha Molasses Snacking Cake Recipe
Serves 8. Adapted from Smitten Kitchen's "Everyday Chocolate Cake" and taken from: ALWAYS ORDER DESSERT
Recipes for delicious living, by Alejandra Ramos
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup strong black coffee, room temperature
1/4 cup kahlua (or substitute additional black coffee, for a non-alcoholic version)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x5" loaf pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, molasses, and egg until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the coffee and kahlua until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet and mix until completely blended and no lumps or dry spots remain. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake 60 to 75 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan about 15 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool on a rack completely.
Of course, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of the holiday, try a green Martini. I like to combine an equal measure of each of the following:
Green Crème de Menthe
Baileys Irish Cream
Vodka
Half and Half Milk
Finally, garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. This is like dessert in a glass. Your St. Patrick’s Day will be quite happy with this drink!