Description
A moist, fragrant chocolate cake inspired by Dubai, featuring a blend of European techniques and Middle Eastern flavors, topped with a glossy ganache.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 60 g (2/3 cup) cocoa powder (40 g Dutch-process + 20 g natural)
- 300 g (1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar
- 10 g (2 tsp) baking powder
- 4 g (1 tsp) baking soda
- 6 g (1 tsp) Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 2 large eggs (about 100 g)
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
- 240 ml (1 cup) buttermilk
- 240 ml (1 cup) hot coffee
- 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 60 g (1/4 cup) sugar for simple syrup
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) water for simple syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom for simple syrup
- 300 g dark chocolate, chopped
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 50 g (1/2 cup) toasted pistachios, roughly chopped
- Flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Butter two 8-inch pans, line with parchment, and lightly flour.
- Combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until uniform.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Slowly stir in the hot coffee until smooth.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating halfway through.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack.
- Brush the warm layers with cardamom syrup.
- To make the ganache, heat the cream, pour over the chocolate, mix until smooth, then whisk in the butter.
- Assemble the cake by spreading a layer of ganache between the layers and on the top, garnishing with pistachios and flaky sea salt.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 GF flour blend and add ½ tsp xanthan gum. For a dairy-free option, replace buttermilk with cultured coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg