Welcome to holiday baking season 2012.
This is not the type of cake I’d make for a pool party in July but it’s most definitely the type of cake I want to make and savor this time of year.
The cake combines some of my favorite flavors and ingredients including molasses, Baileys, medjool dates, with the dominant note being chocolate. Chocolate is incorporated twice, both from a hefty dose of cocoa powder and from semi-sweet chocolate chips stirred into the batter.
The chocolate flavor is enhanced by adding a couple tablespoons of brewed coffee to the batter. And no, the coffee doesn’t make the cake taste like a ‘coffee-cake’, but instead helps to accentuate the cocoa flavor profile. If you’re a coffee lover and do want the cake to taste like coffee, a teaspoon, or a tablespoon, of ground espresso added to the batter would do the trick.
Additionally, I added nearly a cup of diced Medjool dates to the batter, further complementing the chocolaty tones. Dates and chocolate are a natural pairing and since dates are like nature’s candy, they add a subtle sweetness to the cake as well as providing both moisture and chewy texture.
It’s safe to assume I love chocolate, but I have a penchant for the rich and robust flavor of molasses. I adore molasses in cookies, molasses in bread, in pumpkin banana bread, and also in cakes. It’s deep, it’s dark, and it’s potent. That potency can be both an asset and a detriment. In general, molasses is a flavor where more is not usually better; which is the opposite of how I feel about cinnamon or vanilla.
Too much of a good thing can cause bitter, pungent, or overpowering results. Plus, not everyone likes bold in-your-face molasses. I was mindful of those pitfalls and the molasses intensity is present and discernible, but this is a chocolate-molasses cake, rather than a molasses-chocolate cake. If you prefer enough molasses to put hair on your chest, be my guest and add more, and in doing so you may need to increase the amount of flour a bit.
I use unsulphered molasses in all my cooking and baking. Blackstrap molasses is too bitter of a brew and I would caution against using it in this recipe unless you know exactly what you’re doing and desire a very pungent bite. And make sure anyone else you plan to share this cake with wants to grow hair on their chest with you if that’s the type of molasses selected.
This cake is so incredibly moist, springy, bouncy, and soft. The tender crumb is achieved by using just the bare minimum of flour necessary to bind the batter, and it’s a very moist batter at that. Both sour cream and canola oil are used, and they both have a softening and tenderizing effect. Greek yogurt could likely be substituted in place of sour cream, although I haven’t tried it. I recommend sticking with oil, rather than using butter, as oil-based cakes tend to be softer than butter-based varieties.
I also used just enough baking soda to leaven the cake, and omitted baking powder entirely. I didn’t want to risk it drying out the cake with excessive leaveners and those choices allowed each bite of cake to melt in my mouth. It has the springy, bouncy, and moisture qualities found in a chocolate cake mix-cake, but has about twelve more layers of flavor complexities going on.
Because of the chemical reactions that happen between the molasses, sour cream, and baking soda during baking, if you’re an oven door watcher like I am, you’ll observe that the top surface of the batter will be bubbling like crazy, even foaming a bit, and you’ll likely wonder what in the heck is going on and wonder if the cake is going to boil over, explode, or turn out; don’t worry though. As the baking time draws to a close, the batter sets up, the bubbling stops, and all will be well.
After the cake is finished baking, allow it to cool in the pan for about fifteen minutes before inverting it. Invert it by placing a large cutting board over the pan, and then flipping it over so the cake releases onto the board, rather than just letting it plop out freefall-style. Some people say they have trouble with Bundt cakes or tube-pan cakes sticking and not releasing easily, but I use Pam for Baking floured cooking spray and I’ve never had an issue, knock on wood. If anything, my cakes release so well that I’ve had some come flying out of the pan with enough force to almost cause a cake-tastrophe, crashing out onto hard and unforgiving wire racks.
The best part of this cake, other than it being an easy and fast batter to whisk together and no mixer is necessary, is the glaze. I am a big fan of Baileys Irish Cream and decided what better way to get in the holiday spirit than to make a glaze with a favorite booze. Life doesn’t get much better than cake, frosting, and booze, all in one; a perfect trifecta.
You won’t get tipsy from the frosting, even though it sounds fun to try, because there’s only one-quarter cup of Baileys for the entire batch of glaze, to be distributed over the whole cake. The creamy Baileys complements the chocolate and molasses in the cake and pairs just perfectly with them. If you don’t happen to have Baileys on hand and don’t want to buy any for one-quarter cup, but do have rum or another whiskey, I’d try those. If alcohol is not appropriate for your situation, cream or milk may be used in its place.
This cake was my signature and favorite cake from the fall, and today’s cake will likely be my signature cake for the pre-Christmas season. It’s a cake I want to stand around eating at a holiday party, with a big piece of cake in one hand and a glass of champagne, or three, in the other.
The layers of both flavor and texture were rich and varied. In each bite, between the crisp chocolate chips, the soft and moist cake itself, the chewiness imparted from the baked-in dates, the richness from the molasses, and the final drizzle of Baileys glaze, I was in texture and flavor heaven.
‘Tis the season. Deck the Halls. Fa-la-la-la-la. Spin the driedel. Eat cake.
Pin This Recipe
Chocolate Molasses Chocolate Chip Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Glaze
Part chocolate cake, part molasses cake, with chunks of chocolate chips and soft, juicy, tender dates in every bite. The cake is moist, rich, and reads more chocolate-flavored with molasses undertones, in a pleasantly intense way, without being bitter the way some dark chocolate or molasses cakes become. The Baileys Irish Cream Glaze adds creaminess, richness, and a light sweetness and is the perfect compliment to the robust cake flavors. This is an easy, one-bowl, mixer-less cake batter to make on the fly.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsulphered dark molasses (I use Grandma's Original
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt may be substituted)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark may be used)
- 2 tablespoons brewed coffee, optional but recommended (leftover or cold is fine)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste
- 3/4 heaping cup Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped (about 12 to 15 average-sized dates, chopped)
- 3/4 heaping cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Baileys Irish Cream Glaze
- 1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream
- 2 to 3 cups+ confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- For the Cake - Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spray a 12-cup Bundt or tube cake pan with floured cooking spray or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, granulated sugar, unsulphered dark molasses (use Blackstrap molasses at your own risk as it's much more pungent and bitter), oil, sour cream, brown sugar, coffee (coffee brings out the flavor of chocolate and molasses and does not make the cake taste like coffee), vanilla, and whisk until mixture is combined.
- Add the cocoa powder and whisk to incorporate, noting that it may be a bit challenging to get every last bit of cocoa powder incorporated and it's is much easier using sifted cocoa powder. Even after whisking for a few minutes the batter may seem bubbly and slightly lumpy with trace bits of cocoa powder; this is okay and it will smooth out after adding the flour.
- Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and whisk to combine until batter is smooth. Add the dates, chocolate chips, and stir to incorporate. Pour batter into prepared pan and give it a few firm wraps against the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for about 45 to 48 minutes, or until top of the cake has set and is not jiggly. The edges will have pulled away slightly from the sides of the pan and upon close examination they are browned (different than the inherent brown color of the cake), or a cake tester or wooden skewer comes out clean. While the cake bakes, the top surface will look bubbly (a chemical reaction between the sour cream, molasses, and baking soda), and there may even be some rising and falling of the edges and center, which is not a concern since this cake will be inverted.
- Allow cake to cool in pan for about 15 minutes and then carefully invert it, and then place it onto a wire rack to finish cooling (Invert cake in a controlled manner by placing a cutting board over the Bundt pan and turning it upside down; rather than inverting cake directly over a wire rack and waiting for it to plop out, as it can release too quickly or too forcefully).
- While the cake cools, make the Baileys Irish Cream Glaze - In a medium sized-bowl, combine Baileys, confectioners' sugar, butter (optional but it keeps the glaze more satiny and prevents it from hardening into as crunchy of a glaze as it sets up over time), vanilla, and whisk until glaze is smooth and silky, playing with Baileys and sugar ratios to achieve desired consistency. Liberally drizzle glaze over cake and serve immediately. Extra glaze may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Cake may be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days; based on food safety preferences, you may wish to store glazed cake in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 510Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 89gFiber: 3gSugar: 76gProtein: 4g
Related Recipes:
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache – Moist, rich, easy, and one of my favorite cakes of all time. The cake itself is reminiscent of a yellow cake mix-cake meets pumpkin cake. It’s springy, ultra moist, and chocolate is used in abundance
Banana Bread Brownies with Vanilla Caramel Glaze – Dense, rich, moist and very fudgy. For times when you want to have chocolate cake or brownies, but need to use up the ripe bananas on your counter; now you don’t have to choose
Pumpkin Banana Bread with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting – This bread is a mixture of both pumpkin and banana flavors, and also incorporates molasses, providing depth and boldness. The flavor from the browned butter frosting is lovely with the other key ingredients
Cinnamon Oatmeal Date Bars with Chocolate Chunks (no-bake, vegan, gluten-free) – Medjool dates, oats, cinnamon, and copious amounts of chocolate are blended together and for a healthier and perfectly portable no-bake granola bar, feel free to reduce some of the chocolate topping
Do you like molasses? Baileys? Medjool dates?
Do you have a signature holiday dessert or recipe you’re excited to make?
If you have any favorite recipes or favorite holiday desserts, I’d love to hear about them and feel free to include recipe links.
Thanks for the An Edible Mosaic Cookbook Giveaway and Special K Gift Basket Giveaway entries
Absolutely love your creative idea with chocolate molasses chocolate chip cake with baileys irish cream glaze! Never seen something like this! Definitely i will try to make it too! Thx for sharing!
It’s wonderful and I hope you try it!
This looks amazing! Your cranberry bliss bars were so amazing; my husband and I have become big fans!!! Need to make this for a GF friend’s dinner, though. You mentioned adding 1/4-1/2 c of fgf baking mix until obtaining the desired consistency. What should the consistency be?
Thanks – looking forward to trying more if your recipes!!
I’m not sure I understand your question as there’s a bit of shorthand/abbreviations going on that I’m trying to figure out what you mean – as well as talking about the Bliss Bars and then this cake.
Desired consistency as it relates to frosting/glaze just means, add sugar until you like how thick the glaze is. Some people like a real thin and drippy glaze, others like something with a bit more shape. Add sugar until you like how it looks – it’s frosting. Nearly impossible to mess up :) LMK how it goes!
So sorry! I noticed the typo much later! I’m actually asking about the consistency of the batter in this recipie, if using a gluten free flour/baking mix. Someone asked the question in an earlier post, but it is a little unclear as to what the consistency should be. Don’t want the batter to be too runny – or worse! Thanks for your response :)
I really couldn’t answer about batter consistency because I didn’t make it gluten-free. I made it with all-purpose. Anytime one wants to bake GF and starts altering original recipes and deviating, you’re going to have to use a little ad-libbing, winging-it, and good guestimates of I think looks right or I think this could use more abx xyz. It’s going to be all you, at your mixing bowl, with what exactly to do. Have fun!
I don’t know how you do it all.
You have a new recipe everyday!
I can only imagine your grocery bill!
And you must be pooped at night.
I agree that chocolate and molasses are a perfect combo.
I might steal this glaze for a batch of cookies
Deck the Halls with cups of Irish Bailey! Tee hee.
Seriously =) Love that you are using molasses and dates and chocolate…Those three ingredients remind me of visits to my grandmother, Nona in the Colorado mountains. She was a fantastic baker and a beautiful person. And baking is all about passing on the love…Thank you for inspiring my Nona memories, Averie.
Appreciate the tip about the bubbling batter, too =)
Glad that it reminds you of your Nona!
Oh yes, I do use and love all of the above: molasses, Irish cream, dates… This cake is lovely, I can “taste” all the ingredients. As of favorite cake for the holidays, we don’t have one. Most of the time our desserts would be just a bowl of fruits, a big bowl of fruits… :) But again, I would definitely have a slice of this cake, quite intriguing taste…
I bet you’d like this one – not uber sweet and more ‘mature’. It’s more your speed than some of my other creations I think!
Quadruple yes to chocolate, Baileys, dates, and sour cream! I’m on the fence when it comes to molasses but this could easily push me over (or break the fence entirely!). :D
I’m an oven watcher too! I even have a special oven cushion so that I can play Angry Birds as I steal a few glances into the magic window.
Thanks for the Pin! xo
Oh I LOVE that you have a cushion set up to watch the oven. We need to bake together :)
and thank YOU for all your pins – you are so good and sweet with that, always! And I re-pinned like 10 things from you cake board. You also have the classiest and best boards!
Another amazing bundt cake by Averie. You know that I’m going to make this right? I’m glad you warned against the blackstrap molasses, as I use that to make my gingersnap cookies and I love the flavor it gives to them, but I don’t know enough about blackstrap to try it in this recipe.
I never have a problem with my bundt pan releasing a cake either. I use butter to grease it and I never use flour, and it comes out beautifully. Maybe because it’s a non-stick bundt pan.
Question for you. I know I sound lame, but can you taste the alcohol in the glaze? The reason I ask is because I’m not a fan of cakes with liquor in them, I don’t know why, but it just doesn’t taste good to me. Whenever I have one, all I can taste is the liquor, not the cake. I think I had one to many rum drinks in college and I just can’t stand the smell or taste of any liquor.
Have a great night girl!
xoxo,
Jackie
You can taste the ‘alcohol’ in the glaze to a degree, but I don’t think it’s the actual alcoho’ per se; but it’s the flavor of baileys, which is alcoholic. So I dunno…make up a batch of glaze or literally mix a tbsp or two of confectioners’ sugar with a capful of baileys and see if you like it or not – or just use a regular buttercream or cream cheese or favorite glaze on the cake. Don’t let the glaze ruin the cake but no, it’s not one of those omg it masks the whole cake glazes – I hate those too!
Keep me posted if you make it! :)
Thanks for the info girl! I will definitely let you know when I make it! It’s been a slow cooking week for me. Busy with all those girly maintenance things like getting a highlight, OBGYN, haircut, blah blah). I use to enjoy highlights and haircuts, but now they are just another chore!
Hair salons and trips to it lost the appeal by the time I was about 25. With a job, child, house, etc. it’s just one more chore I seriously wish I didn’t have to do! I went last Friday…half day day-kill. Hate it!
Another awesome dessert creation here. Totally agreed on dessert porn overload! :-)
Thanks, Christine :)
oh my,. gorgeous, sticky, soft .. chocolate..baileys,. i am in!
I love baking with unsulphured molasses. It gives amazing flavor and moisture. I find that I have to very thoroughly butter and flour bundt pans or very bad baking things happen.
Try the Pam for Baking – my bundts FLY out! And I’m using a $5.99 pan from the groc store I got like 10 years ago, not any big fancy pan or anything!
Wow! This dessert looks amazing! Your website is definitely dessert food porn.
You are now deemed the Queen of Glazes. Giiiiirl, you’re a glaze master! Yours always look positively amazing and this Bailey’s version is no exception. Plus, can that cake get any fudgier? Methinks not. Love the addition of the dates, too!
Somehow I want to incorporate this glaze on the cupcakes with the straws you just made….best of both worlds :)
I LOVE the flavor of molasses, but yeah, it’s definitely a fall or winter thing, ha. This cake looks awesome. And it’s beautiful, too. :-)
Thanks, Anna! Yeah couldn’t exactly imagine eating this one in July but right now it was so good!
I am not a fan of Bailey’s but I do like molassas and dates. I don’t have any signature holiday desserts, but a bunch of traditional goodies that I make and people expect to see around my place at holidays parties etc..
I’m surprised you don’t like Baileys! Then again, you don’t have a super sweet tooth and it’s a sweet liquor. Can’t wait to see what you make and bake this year!
Omg yes please! Molasses – check. Chocolate goodness – check. Glaze – check. Booze – check.
All my favorite things wrapped up into a beautiful cake :)
I would totally eat this at a pool party in July. But I would love it on a cold night with a big Chocolate Stout :)
That glaze would not even make it on top of the cake before I ate all of it with a spoon. Amazing recipe, Averie!
Thank you, Christina! I loved the glaze, too!
I really love all of the things going on in this cake, from the dates to the Bailey’s glaze – I can totally see why it would be come your signature pre-Christmas cake. Plus, it’s visually quite striking and would make the perfect centerpiece for any dessert table – I can’t wait to try this one!!
Well if you do try it, LMK how it goes!
Wow, Averie! This looks absolutely amazing! Such great flavors in this one, and SO pretty too.
Thanks – Ashley – and I’m loving your roasted butternut!
You had me at the Baileys glaze! Love!
Thanks for the pin, too :)
When you said prepare yourself, you weren’t kidding! This looks absolutely incredible. I love – LOVE – dates with chocolate and molasses in cakes and cookies and breads is to die for. I am so happy you mentioned about the bubbling thing going on in the oven! It is so nice to know what to expect and that everything will turn out OK and look like THAT! :-) The frosting is the icing on the cake! Hee-hee. Baileys? Powdered sugar? Butter and vanilla? Yes to all 4…and I know this would be a favorite at any party!
This weekend is a concession stand for Seraphim’s soccer team. We are supposed to bring homemade baked goods…I think I will give this one a go! Thanks, Averie! LOVE your cakes! :-)
If you make this one, LMK!! And yes, I was sort of surprised about the bubbling – I knew it could happen to some degree and had I used more flour, I think it would have bubbled less, i.e. too thick to really bubble like crazy, but as it was, it was pretty bubbly but it all works out!
Mmm! That bailey’s cake looks soo chocolately! Yummy.
I am looking forward to making everything peppermint and chocolate!
I seriously now know why they call it food porn…sooo good I swear you do this just to tease me ;) great recipe!
LOL – and glad you like it!
Your desserts always make me swoon, but this one really makes me weak in the knees!!! A little coffee is great in chocolate cake. I appreciate all the tips you share with your readers…it’s fun to know why something works better or tastes different and you definitely do a lot of reading and research. I learn something in every post. After showing my husband the dinner rolls yesterday, he absolutely agreed I should make them. I’m pretty sure I can pull it off this weekend so I’ll report back as always!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the rolls! And glad you learn something in my posts – they do take me what seems like forever to type and to research before I even start baking :) but glad to know that you learn something. That makes it so much rewarding for me! :)
Holy cow, there is not one word in that title I do not love. I want to drink a glass of that frosting please! These kinds of cakes are my fav during the winter months. :)
I want to drink the frosting, too :)
This looks incredible! Love that thick glaze :) Baileys is such a great flavor!
Bundt cake is instantly a festive cake – if you ask me. Love the addition of dates! Molasses – well, I could bathe in this stuff so LOVE it! :) The glaze – wow! Baileys is always for special occasion and holidays are just that. All the way amazing cake, Averie!
It looks festive but it’s a FAST batter to make – love that kind!
I can’t even form a complete thought right now. This is just….perfect. I need to go out and buy all of these ingredients and a bundt pan. Then, I need to sit down in my stretchy pants and NOT SHARE with anyone. Coffe, dates, and molasses?!?! You’re kidding me with all this, right?
$5.99 bundt pan from the grocery store will work just fine – and I hope you try this one! It’s really your kind of flavors and it’s not a sweet-sweet cake; it’s more mature :)
First you had me at Molasses. Then you just killed with the Baileys Irish Cream Glaze. It’s too early in the morning for this!! Looks INCREDIBLE =)
Thanks, Rachel!
Oh my goodness! Just the title started making me drool! I can’t wait to try this (vegan-ized!), especially since it includes dates, one of my favorite sweeteners! : )
Not sure how that will all work between the egg and sour cream and Baileys but LMK how it goes!
Loving everything about this cake, Averie!
That looks crazy decadent. So do you think a GF AP flour would work with this?
A standard GF AP-flour like Bob’s should likely be fine; I’d maybe use a bit more, like 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 c but it’s going to depend on the batter, the flour, and eyeballing it. If you do try it, LMK!
Ooh this is like Fall meets St Patty’s day. Yum!
This does sound like the perfect holiday cake. I’m not usually a big molasses fan, but I think with all the other flavors and textures going on, I could get on board with this yummy cake. The glaze alone has me going gaga:-)
I love molasses but it’s actually much more of a chocolate cake than a molasses cake, so I think you’re safe!
So pretty! Perfect for a hostess gift too. A little coffee does so much for chocolate!
So pretty! Love this idea!
this is a terrific, inventive holiday cake! love ANYTHING with bailey’s :)
Bailey’s is some good stuff! This cake is so intense. So many awesome flavors going on. This would be heavenly to end a thanksgiving feast with. Yummmm :D
Or just have this AS the feast :)
amazing Averie! I enjoyed reading all about why you chose the ingredients you did – dates (nice!), BS, sour cream, the amount of molasses, bailey’s, etc. I’m not a fan of blackstrap molasses at all – WAY too strong for me and yes you’re right about molasses in general – too much of a good thing can be bad. Pam for Baking – I need to get my hands on that for next time. I sprinkled the pan with cocoa powder after spraying it with non-stick spray. It worked for me, but yes – pam for baking would be so much easier. the cake looks SO moist, thick, and soft. The pictures are gorgeous, just like how perfect your pumpkin chocolate bundt cake pics are – my faves pics from today are the 3rd and 5th one down with the drippy bailey’s glaze on the side- THOSE are the ones you need to submit to FG and TS – hello drool.
I am SO excited for holiday baking and have already begun. I always always look forward to making gingersnaps, like the ones I posted last week. I’m making them again this weekend but plain, without any butterscotch. Cannot wait!! http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/11/08/soft-gingersnaps-with-butterscotch-chips/
The weird thing about those FG crop boxes is sometimes what looks good on a full-size sceen doesn’t translate well into them, and vice versa. But I did submit one of those drippy shot, but I don’t know if they’ll use it or another one. The other angles in their boxes seem to POP more. You know how that goes!
And yes Pam for Baking is great stuff. There are other floured cooking sprays, but that’s the one I’ve used for the past few years and have always had great results with it so stick with it.
And you’re the cookie queen – glad you’re going to be back at it with more this weekend!
Molassass-yes. dates-yes. bailey’s-yes. Otherwise, I have no words. This had my mouth watering. WOW!
Thanks, Michelle!
Ooooooh Bailey’s. Well played, very well played:)
My holiday special is my apple-cranberry-streusel pie, which I am baking beaucoup of recently since people are actually buying them off me now! I’ll be ready for the cookie/cake transition that comes once Thanksgiving is over…
People are buying your pies? Okay I need that job :) I would never want to open a bakery (the stress!) but I wouldn’t mind doing what you’re doing!