white chocolate cakeAround the holidays many years ago, my mom took my sister and me to a chocolate bar in downtown Chicago. It was like the most high-end of all Willy Wonka-ish goodies exploded in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel, and we were beyond psyched to dig in and start tasting. I actually don't remember many of the chocolate delicacies I tried that day, but I will never forget the white hot chocolate. Yes, hot cocoa, but made with real, amazing white chocolate. It was total heaven in a cup. 

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago, and my sis and I tried a white hot chocolate cupcake for the first time. Oh, MAN! Delish! Maybe it's because white chocolate seems so decadent, it's usually just a once in a while treat. But that makes it even more special. So what better time than the holidays to indulge in a hot white chocolate cake?

White Chocolate Cake from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

For cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 (1-ounce) squares white chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk

For frosting:

  • 6 (1-ounce) squares white chocolate, chopped
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together the 2 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In small saucepan, melt 6 ounces white chocolate and hot water over low heat. Stir until smooth, and allow to cool to room temperature.
  3. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix in melted white chocolate.
  4. Pour batter into two 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  5. To make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine 6 ounces white chocolate, 2 1/2 tablespoons flour, and 1 cup milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is very thick. Cool completely.
  6. In large bowl, cream 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add cooled white chocolate mixture. Beat at high speed until it is the consistency of whipped cream. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cake.

 

Image via Sira Hanchana/Flickr