Dolly’s Chocolate Bundt Cake

This is a recipe from Mad Hungry, the recipe book that I was talking about in a previous post. I still haven’t bought my own copy, but the next time I’m in a mall, I am definitely going to look for it! I found a copy of the recipe in this website. Below is the excerpt from the book, with my own pictures & adaptation. Click to enlarge pics.

Dolly’s Chocolate Bundt Cake

makes 1 large cake

I use this recipe (thanks to my first employer, Dolly) more often than any other for special birthdays and holiday baking. If you think you’re just a competent or if you’re a novice baker, this is the cake for you: it’s easy to prepare, bakes in one pan, has a moist and tender texture, and requires only a glaze to finish. Its distinctive look is on the fancy side, which brings a little something extra to a birthday party or holiday table.

Cake

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup chopped semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup buttermilk

Glaze

1 cup finely chopped unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons rum or brandy (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter a 12-cup Bundt pan. (I only had a 4 cup pan available to I used 1/3 of all the ingredients above)

2. To make the cake, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Bowl 1: Sinful butter & sugar

Bowl 1: Added the egg and vanilla

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Toss in the chopped chocolate and the walnuts, if using.

Bowl 2: Good thing I had some walnuts! Oh and next time, I'm gonna add a bit more choco chunks!

4. Into the butter mixture, alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk in three additions, ending with the flour. Mix just until everything is blended together; don’t overmix.

Bowl 1: Alternately added the powder mixture & milk until combined

5. Spoon the batter evenly into the Bundt pan and smooth the top of the batter. Bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan briefly. Turn out onto a cake plate to cool completely.

I made a mistake of setting 45mins (not 60 because it's much smaller than the original recipe) but next time I'm going to make it 40mins instead. To make it come out more moist.

The best part is licking the left over batter =P

6. For the glaze, place a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Add the glaze ingredients and stir to melt and combine. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cake and let the glaze set, 15 to 20 minutes, before serving.

Triple-Duty Glaze: This chocolate glaze also doubles as a spread or topping. Pour into a jar and refrigerate for up to 6 weeks. Spread on warm toast or reheat and drizzle on ice cream, layer into a sundae, or use as a dip for fresh strawberries.