Valentine Cake

Valentine Cake

Valentine’s Day begs for chocolate! Surprise your Valentine with this easy, but romantic chocolate cake. Honestly, who can resist?

INGREDIENTS

6 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate

2 Ounces Unsweetened Chocolate

4 Ounces Butter

3 Tablespoons Instant Espresso (Dissolved In 4 Tablespoons Hot Water)

2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract

2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

2 Teaspoons Ground Allspice

4 Large Eggs (Room Temperature)

1 1/3 Cups Sugar

¼ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

¼ Teaspoon Salt

½ Cup Cocoa Nibs

½ Cup Unbleached Flour

Preheat your oven to 375° F. Grease the bottom and sides of an 8 inch spring form pan. Melt the chocolates in a small bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir in the coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and cool to room temperature. To make the cake mix together the eggs, sugar, cocoa powder and salt until creamy. Stir in the cocoa nibs, flour and melted chocolate mixture until nice and smooth. Make sure not to beat. Just stir until everything is nicely blended. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Release the sides of the spring form pan and set the cake on a cake plate. Frost with chocolate ganache and serve with chocolate dipped strawberries.

Serves 6