My mother is one of those mind over matter people, I’m sure you know the type. Whenever we were sick(the knocked out ratty hair, snotty red nosed, swollen eyes sick) my mother would make me do my hair, put on make up and get dressed in one of my best outfits…”if you look good, you’ll feel good.” No, I just feel like crap and now I have make up on to run down my face when my eyes and nose run, fabulous. But genetically it must have rubbed off a little, for I am baking with hot chocolate in order to “will” Fall into showing up early. I am sooo not a Summer girl as many long time reader know. And this Summer is really making me hate it just a bit more. We are breaking heat records, my allergies are insane from always having to have the windows open, I’m injured and can’t even enjoy the outdoors, and I am allergic to half the stuff at the Farmers Market. Boo.
Bring to me my crisp mornings. Bring to me my cool, rainy afternoons that are perfect for a blanket, good book and some hot chocolate. Bring to me the need to bundle up when I go outside. Bring to me the Fall foliage and more importantly the food.
I have made this cake before, using egg nog at Christmas time. I enjoyed that so much that I thought I would use hot chocolate instead. It is after all, just a hot milk cake recipe that I messed with. Hot chocolate is pretty much hot milk(just with a kick). The cake turned out perfectly fine. I point this out because usually only when disaster strikes do I chop up a cake. But I wanted something a little different. I wanted to feel like I was curling up with a cup of comforting cocoa. So I dragged out my trusted pig mugs, chopped up some cake. Put in a layer of whipped cream(spiked with peppermint schnapps), then crushed candy canes(yes, I have them year round…love those after Christmas sales) and then hot fudge. Then more cake, candy canes, and so on…you get the picture(if you don’t just look at the picture 🙂 ). I will say that I cheated and did not make my own hot fudge, it was a gift for my birthday(a box of chocolate, caramel and raspberry sauce) all from our local chocolate shop, Fran’s, and it is as good as anything I could make(I actually just eat the caramel sauce straight from the jar…just me and a spoon).
This cake truly did hit the spot, and more importantly, today it was 67F and rainy. I know it wont last(I watched the news) but it was nice to have a Fall preview.
Hot Chocolate Cake
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup prepared hot chocolate(your favorite kind)
1 TBSP butter
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 325F.
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar until very thick; the batter should fall from the beaters in a thick ribbon. Beat in the vanilla.
While you¢â¬â„¢re beating the eggs and sugar, heat the hot chocolate and butter in a small saucepan to just simmering. Add the hot chocolate mixture to the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream as you continue beating.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring utnil they¢â¬â„¢re just combined.
Pour the batter into a lighty greased 9 inch cake round. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the cake is a deep golden brown and starting to pull away from the sides of the pan. Remove the cake from the oven and cool it in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan.
Source: Inspired by Hot Milk Cake in the King Arthur¢â¬â„¢s Flour Baker¢â¬â„¢s Companion All Purpose Baking Cookibook
Meeta says
I love you Pea, you know I do – but I will fight you for longer summer days. Although I know the allergies can be distressful. You might be able to bribe me for ONE shorter summer day with this though. Looks insanely good!
barbara says
Wanna swap homes for a few days Peabody? I love summer. That cake is wicked.
Ronell says
My first visit to your blog and I love it…pics, recipes and great reading. I have to agree with Meeta above…bring me summer and I’m happy! This look sinningly good!
Ronell
Lydia says
I’m with you — Fall is absolutely the best time of year, and it cannot arrive soon enough for me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this chopped hot chocolate cake, but it looks fabulous in its pig cup!
Janet says
That mug is adorable… perfect for pigging out!
veron says
Aw…what a cute mug and with little candy canes! Let us wish fall here soon. The only thing Iike about summer are the bounty of fruits. My allergies are bothering me too. Hope you feel better.
Patricia Scarpin says
I love the mug, Peabody!
Hope you feel like your old self again soon.
Priyanka says
Wow!!! the hot chocolate cake looks sinfully tempting. Thanks for sharing. You have some wonderful recipes here.
Tanna says
Gosh Peabody I am so with you on the hot weather – I’ll never be a summer girl. Fall and even winter are lovely by me.
I’m so sorry the heat is such a dran and added onto the ankle, I know it’s a killer. Wish I could help with the clock but time is simply the only thing that heals those injuries.
This cake with all the add ons in the piggy – well, it’s just WOW! and yes it must be perfect for a pigging out!
Deborah says
I’m with you as well – I hate the heat, but I hate the winter as well. I’m living in the wrong state – we have been near or above 100F for weeks now, and in the winter it is freezing! I need to move somewhere that has Spring/Fall weather year round!
But I can see how this dessert would help you feel better! That mug is so cute!
Abby says
Fall is my favorite time of the year, too! I can’t wait for my husband’s fall break so we can drive a few miles up the road and see the leaves change on the mountain trees!
That is the cutest mug EVER, and there is no better “hot chocolate” than the kind with peppermint. I always stir mine with candy canes, so I know this dessert would hit the spot!
Christine says
This looks fantastic! I love to hear that other people are also waiting for the summer to end so beautiful Fall and Winter can arrive. Most people I know think this is a crazy way to feel……
Sara says
mmmmm, can’t agree with you on looking forward to fall, but i am happy that we’ve cooled down a bit today too. love that pig cup, so cute!
gilly says
Hi Pea! Wow, this sounds like a nice little indulgence while dreaming of fall to arrive. Your mug is absolutely adorable, and the cute candy cane must be your extra little push for cold weather. 🙂
brilynn says
That’s the best mug ever!
Summer can stay, just not in the kitchen.
Kelly-Jane says
I’m not a Summer girl either, Fall and Spring for me.
Love your pig cup, so cute! your dessert looks fab too, and that pretty little candy cane!
Belinda says
I admit that used to love summer way more than I do now! These southern summers seem more out of control ho every year. Your hot chocolate cake looks very tempting, especially set against that pretty pink…the pig and the candy cane are cute touches. 🙂
Amy says
That is the CUTEST cup I have ever seen! It even has a curly tail! A perfect vessel for a delicious cake!
Kate says
Fall is my all time favorite time of year, I just wish we had it here in Cali, it is the thing I miss most about the East Coast. For some reason, seeing this post made me desperate for hot chocolate cake. It’s going to be perfect tomorrow morning for breakfast!
ashley says
those mugs are so cute! i wish i made a mug of this. i can’t wait to try out the eggnog cake recipe this christmas.
i too am a fall person. i guessed you were from seattle since you mentioned fran’s (i’m from vancouver, bc) and just checked your about page to see. must be why we had the same weather today. 😉 i was so happy to see the rain and fall-like weather.
KJ says
Do you want to swap??? I am freezing to death here and I am over it. I want to swim, bbq and eat ice cream.
Ellie says
Awesome photos and I am so totally in love with that mug of yours! How cute!
Sylvia says
Oh! What a beautiful and tender presentacion.The mug and the candies was the perfect complement for this wonderful hot chocolate cake. The all seassons I prefer the spring,full of colors ,life and ideal temperature.
Cheryl says
Oh I saw the candy canes in there and I got so excited. I can’t wait for the cooler weather.
I want to curl up with that cake right now.
Christine says
I think I just gained 10 pounds by looking at that picture. It looks so delicious and I want it. Now! 🙂
Kristen says
It is all about the power of attraction, right? You willed it to be cooler, you believed it would happen, and it did! Now…if you could will a little of that our way, I would appreciate it!
I love that cute little cup.
Sarena says
I am so with you on the need for fall to come sooner. I think I have tried to cook everything that has to do with fall just to will it here! Your hot chocolate cake looks and sounds amazing!
Nabeel says
wow wow, I love the chocolate syrup .. was it warm too? Loved the picture, loved the way all items are settling together.
lori says
I love cups and collect as many as I can that strike me. Your pig cup is one of those I’d like to steal. :p
Elle says
Fall is the best! That cake helps bring it closer and looks yummy, too. I tagged you for 7 Random Things About Me 🙂
Lynn says
Love the cup, love the cake, wish I could have a cup of comfort, too. Hope your ankle is better soon!
Ivonne says
I’m behind you all the way, Peabody!!! Bring on the fall … and lots of this delicious cake!
Heidi says
This dessert is very pretty.
chris says
I love fall. While we have one here – not like the ones we had in Boston. I miss those.
Your dessert? Yum! And the mug? A must find! 🙂
Hallie says
The fact that this cake is served in a pig cup kills me. And the pictures make me want to make something with whipped cream in it – this sounds delish!
steamy kitchen says
ooohhhh cutesy woostesy piggy cup!
Lcsa99 says
This sounds excellent. I can’t wait to try it with my white chocolate hot cocoa 🙂