A chocolatey treat that will spice up your tastebuds! Every bite is rich in chocolate, leaving lasting hints of cayenne pepper, cinnamon and vanilla. This unique combination is perfect for the chocolate lover who is searching for a way to zazz up a traditional chocolate cake recipe!
1 1/2cupstrong hot coffeeUse a Moka pot so it's basically espresso
3/4cupvegetable oil
1tbsvanilla extract
1 ½cupwhite chocolate
For the Browned Butter Frosting:
1 ¼poundsbrowned butter
1teaspooncayenne
⅓cupfudge
1 ¼poundconfectioners sugar
¾teaspoonsalt
2 ½teaspoonscinnamon
¾cupcocoa powder
½cupmelted and cooled semi sweet chocolate
For the Spicy Cinnamon Buttercream:
1teaspooncinnamon
1tablespoonvanilla bean paste
¼cayenne pepper
3sticks butter
¾poundconfectioners sugar
Instructions
For the Cake:
Butter and flour a 9-inch, 6-inch and 4-inch cake pan. I highly recommend using cake strips for a more even bake.
Sift together the dry ingredients and spices into the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine.
Add the wet ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Whisk to combine then mix on level 2 for two minutes.
Distribute batter evenly to the three pans and bake for about 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I recommend rotating the pans halfway through the bake.
Allow time to cool for 10 minutes then invert onto wire racks to cool fully.
For the Browned Buttercream:
In a medium saucepan, brown your butter. Let it cool until room temperature.
In a stand mixer bowl, combine browned butter, cocoa, spices and salt.
Mix with a paddle attachment.
Sift in confectioners sugar and mix.
Combine semi sweet chocolate and fudge.
For the Spicy Buttercream:
In a stand mixer, cream butter.
Sift in confectioners sugar.
Mix in spices and vanilla bean paste.
Mix until fluffy and combined.
Transfer to a piping bag.
For the Assembly:
Cut each tier in horizontal halves.
For the Bottom Tier:
Place first half on cake stand. Pipe a layer of spicy buttercream, then add the other half. Pipe chocolate buttercream on the outside and smooth.
For the Middle Tier:
Add the next half tier. Pipe a spicy buttercream layer, add other half. Pipe chocolate layer and smooth.
Melt white chocolate and transfer to a piping bag. Snip off the tip.
Starting from the bottom of the middle tier, pipe circular rings until reaching the top of the cake.
Using a point tool or a toothpick, drag through vertically from the middle point to the bottom.
Do this until the pattern covers the middle layer completely.
Repeat the same strategy but from opposite directions. Moving the tool the other way to create an opposing pattern.
For the Top Tier:
Using a cupcake stand, pipe spicy buttercream between layers. Pipe chocolate buttercream and smooth.