Where There’s Smoke…

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)
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What does autumn taste like to you? Millions would likely respond with a resounding cry of “pumpkin spice” without a second thought, while others might venture down the less celebrated paths of chai, chili, apple pie, or perhaps speculoos. Happily, this isn’t a question we need to fight over. There are no wrong answers, nor any unsatisfying suggestions on this list. They all share one common thread, and that is a palate of bold, warm, yet utterly soothing spices. Colder days call for hotter dishes; succulent blankets to wrap around our tongues. While there’s never a bad time to ramp up the seasonings, a well-equipped spice rack comes in particularly handy around this time of year.

If asked the same question, I might hem and haw in my typically indecisive fashion, but in my heart I always know the answer immediately: Gingerbread is my everything when the temperatures drop and the sunlight wanes. Something about the combination of sticky dark molasses paired with the bite of ginger, belting out its sweet song along with a full cadre of spicy backup singers, makes it feel as though everything is right with the world, at least for those fleeting moments of indulgence. If it were lacking even one of those critical spices, the harmony would be thrown out of balance.

Even so, I can’t help but tinker. Lately I’ve been obsessed with smoky flavors, starting with a few innocent additions of smoked tofu and beets gracing my daily salads and quinoa bowls. Now I’m looking farther afield to the dessert course, finding little if any smoky sweets to experiment with. Clearly, this is a void that needs to be filled. I can think of no better candidate to step up to the plate, quite literally, than gingerbread. Smoky chipotle powder is right at home here, adding a piquant peppery accent to liven up the typical palate. Smoked salt was an obvious winner to continue the theme throughout each tender, sticky bite, and crunchy smoked almonds absolutely seal the deal. It might sound overwhelming in print, but there’s no denying the taste- It may be difficult to return to the same old gingerbread blend after adding a bit of smoke into the mix.

Take your time to luxuriate in all the spicy possibilities out there. The good news is that this cake only gets better with age, as the flavors mingle and meld, over the course of a day or two. Don’t wait too long though; it may be hard for others to resist nibbling away at the edges, until not a single crumb is left. Trust me on this one.

Yield: Makes 12 - 16 Servings

Smoky Chipotle Gingerbread Cake

Smoky Chipotle Gingerbread Cake

Chipotle powder is right at home in the classic gingerbread spice blend, adding a piquant peppery accent to liven up the typical palate. Smoked salt and crunch toasted almonds seal the deal.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

Chipotle Gingerbread Cake:

  • 2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Smoked Almonds, Roughly Chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Crystallized Ginger, Finely Chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Salt
  • 1 1/4 Teaspoons Chipotle Powder
  • 1 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 Cup Brewed and Cooled Coffee
  • 1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 Cup Molasses
  • 3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
  • 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Grated Fresh Ginger

Faux-Fondant Glaze:

  • 3 Cups (3/4 Pound) Confectioner's Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Water
  • 1 Tablespoon Light Agave Nectar
  • 1 Teaspoon Simply Organic Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan; Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and soda, salt, and spices. Mix well to distribute all of the seasonings throughout the dry goods, and double-check that there are no clumps.
  3. Separately, mix the coffee, maple syrup, molasses, pumpkin, sugar, oil, and ginger until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry, and stir with a wide spatula to bring the two together. Being careful not to over-mix, stir just until the batter is smooth and not a second longer. Transfer the batter into your prepared baking pan, smooth out the top, and pop it in the oven.
  4. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean- Perhaps with a few moist crumbs sticking to it but certainly not wet. Let cool completely before preparing the icing.
  5. In a medium saucepan, combine confectioner’s sugar, water, and agave. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches 100 degrees. It won’t look very different from when you began, but should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Quickly pour the icing over the cake and smooth across the top and over the edges. It sets quickly so you want to work fast!
  6. If time allows, this cake does get even better with age, so try to make it a day in advance for the flavor to really meld and sing. I don’t blame you if you can’t wait though; simply allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving, at least.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 192mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 4g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Cakes & Cupcakes

 

16 thoughts on “Where There’s Smoke…”

  1. You’re right. It does sound overwhelming but I’m really curious about the finished product.
    The smell, the appearance, the taste…
    Maybe when I have time, I’ll give it a try

  2. I would never have thought to add smoky flavors to sweet gingerbread, but you’re right, now that you mention it, it seems like the perfect choice. I love the addition of smoked almonds — so smart! Fall always has me wanting to bake bread. I think I need some smoked almonds to add to the next loaf!

  3. This sounds so interesting! Honestly, you had me at the photo, but I’m so glad that I read the whole post: 1–you write beautifully, and 2– this sounds really good in a complex/multi-layered way that really appeals to me in the autumn. Also, I’d never heard of smoky sea salt… I think maybe I covet your cupboard and spice rack!

  5. Can you believe that I have never baked gingerbread? I have only actually eaten it 2 or 3 times!!! I must try this recipe. Thank you for the inspiration. It sounds perfect for Fall!

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