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Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until light and fluffy—about 3-5 minutes. This step is key to ensuring a soft and tender cake.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, making sure not to overmix.
6. Add Boiling Water
Now, carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin at this point, but this helps to create a moist cake. Don’t worry; it’s supposed to be this way!
7. Fold in Chopped Peanuts
Gently fold the chopped peanuts into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout.
8. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Once done, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Make the Coffee Drizzle
While the cake is cooling, prepare the coffee drizzle. In a small saucepan, combine the brewed coffee, heavy cream, and powdered sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the drizzle to cool slightly before using it on the cake.
10. Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes have completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving platter. Drizzle half of the coffee mixture over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake. Place the second layer on top and drizzle the remaining coffee mixture over that layer. The coffee drizzle will give the cake a lovely shine and enhance the flavor profile with a subtle coffee kick.
11. Decorate the Cake
For a finishing touch, sprinkle some chopped peanuts and chocolate shavings over the top of the cake for added texture and visual appeal.
12. Serve and Enjoy
Slice and serve the cake with a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage. Enjoy the rich chocolate, peanut, and coffee flavors in every bite!
Why This Recipe Works:
- The Rich Chocolate Cake: The cake itself is moist, dense, and packed with cocoa flavor. Using both granulated and brown sugars creates a balanced sweetness that enhances the chocolatey richness.
- Peanut Texture: The chopped peanuts in the batter add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the smooth and creamy cake.
- Coffee Drizzle: The coffee drizzle is the secret ingredient that elevates this dessert to new heights. It not only adds moisture but also deepens the flavor profile, bringing out the richness of the chocolate while complementing the peanuts.
- Easy to Customize: You can adjust the level of sweetness in the drizzle, add more peanuts or even mix in a bit of peanut butter into the cake batter for an extra peanut flavor boost. The flexibility of this recipe makes it perfect for experimentation!
Tips for Success:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense cake.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother batter and a better rise, ensure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing.
- Control the Coffee Flavor: The amount of coffee in the drizzle can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, use a darker roast coffee or add a bit more brewed coffee to the drizzle mixture.
- Let the Cake Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool fully before frosting and adding the drizzle. This ensures that the cake holds its shape and the coffee drizzle won’t melt into the layers too much.
Variations to Try:
- Peanut Butter Drizzle: If you’re a peanut butter lover, consider adding a peanut butter drizzle instead of the coffee drizzle, or even combining both for a peanut butter-coffee fusion.
- Chocolate Ganache: For a more decadent finish, swap the coffee drizzle with a chocolate ganache. Simply melt chocolate with cream and pour it over the cake for a luxurious, glossy finish.
- Add a Layer of Frosting: For a richer dessert, add a layer of chocolate ganache or peanut butter frosting between the cake layers before adding the coffee drizzle. It adds extra sweetness and creaminess.
Final Thoughts:
This Rich Chocolate Peanut Cake with Coffee Drizzle is a dessert that will impress anyone who tries it. It’s perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to treat yourself or your guests to something indulgent. The combination of chocolate, peanuts, and coffee creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you enjoy it as a sweet finish to a dinner party or as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee, this cake will become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.
So go ahead, give this cake a try, and enjoy every luscious bite!
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