Minnesota Chocolate Espresso Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A favorite from the Ellery House.
Cake 2 c. unbleached flour 1-1/2 c. white sugar 1/2 c. unsweetened baking cocoa 1 tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. baking soda 1 c. buttermilk 1 c. brewed espresso or strong coffee 2/3 c. canola oil 1 egg 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Frosting (see below) Frosting 12 oz. cream cheese 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 c. confectioners’ sugar Juice from half a lemon
Preheat oven to 350° F.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar (adding a little at a time). Beat in lemon juice. All ingredients can be adjusted to taste. More frosting may be required for a layer cake.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Add buttermilk, coffee, oil, egg and vanilla extract. Beat until batter is smooth. The batter will be thin. Pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool before frosting.
Chocolate Chai Latte Cookies
A favorite from Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek.
Cookie 1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) butter recipe chocolate cake mix 3 Tbsp. instant chai tea latte mix (or substitute 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground ginger and 1/4 tsp. ground cloves.) 1/2 c. butter, softened 1 egg 3 Tbsp. milk 1 c. milk chocolate chips Drizzle 1-1/2 c. powdered sugar 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 3 to 5 tsp. water
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Combine all cookie ingredients except chocolate chips in a large bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed and smooth. Stir in chocolate chips by hand. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until tops are set and cracked. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets.
Cool completely. Combine all drizzle ingredients except water in a small bowl. Add enough water for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Store between sheets of waxed paper in container with tight-fitting lid.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.