We all try to be good all year so that when the time comes for the jolly man carrying a magical bag full of toys is out and about, he pays a visit to our houses. You know what makes it hard, though? When you have yummy treats sitting in your kitchen that you just can’t say no to. That’s why this one is called the Naughty List Food Cake. This moist, chocolatey cake is almost sinful! It has hints of all your festive spices, too, to make sure the holiday cheer is there. The rich, creamy chocolate icing smeared on top is what really gets ya, in the best way. We know Santa has a sweet tooth, so surely, he’ll understand and keep you on the Nice List… even after indulging in some Naughty List Food Cake!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, plus more to taste
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the icing:
- 3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 6 tablespoons strong-brewed coffee
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- toasted almonds, optional, whole or chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
Step 3 –In a bowl, cream together 1 cup of the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
Step 5 –Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla to the butter mixture.
Step 6 –In a bowl, sift the flour, 1/4 cup of the cocoa, the baking powder, the baking soda, the cinnamon, the ground nutmeg, and the ground cloves. If more spice is preferred, add more of the nutmeg and the ground cloves to taste.
Step 7 –Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, to the butter mixture.
Step 8 –Divide the batter between the two prepared baking pans.
Step 9 –Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
Step 10 –Cool the cakes on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert them to cool completely.
Step 11 –In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, the remaining cocoa, the coffee, the remaining butter, and the remaining vanilla extract.
Step 12 –Spread the icing over the top and sides of each cake and then carefully stack the iced cakes.
Step 13 –Sprinkle the iced cake with the almonds and slice.
Step 14 –Serve.