Chocolate Spice Cake
A rich and moist chocolate spice cake featuring warm spices, chopped nuts, raisins, and dates, making it perfect for festive occasions or cozy gatherings. Its deep chocolate flavor combined with aromatic spices creates a comforting dessert that appeals to chocolate lovers and those seeking a flavorful, textured treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare a 10-inch tube baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
- Cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add the eggs and dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, blending well.
- Stir in the applesauce until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Fold in the raisins, chopped nuts, and chopped dates.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Chocolate Spice Cake, consider using a mix of dark and light brown sugar for added moisture and depth. If you don’t have shortening, unsalted butter can be substituted in equal amounts. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be careful not to overmix after adding the dry ingredients, as this can lead to a dense cake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Chocolate Spice Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it perfect for afternoon gatherings. For an extra touch, drizzle some chocolate sauce on top or sprinkle powdered sugar before serving. This cake is also great alongside T.V. Snacks for a cozy night in.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Chocolate Spice Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for a week. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For a warm dessert, you can also pop it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chocolate Spice Cake contains roughly 829 calories, with 10g protein, 95g carbohydrates, and 52g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (59% of the Daily Value), iron (33% of the Daily Value), and potassium (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin C. It also contributes 16g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of sweetener besides sugar?
Yes, you can substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like stevia. Just keep in mind that it might alter the texture slightly, so adjust the liquid ingredients as needed to maintain the cake's moistness.
What can I use instead of eggs?
For an egg substitute, consider using unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas, using 1/4 cup for each egg you replace. This will maintain the moisture content and add a bit of sweetness to your cake.
How can I make this cake more chocolatey?
To increase the chocolate flavor, you can add an extra tablespoon of cocoa powder or fold in some chocolate chips into the batter. This will enrich the cake and give it a more decadent chocolate experience.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).