Grown Up Sinful S'mores Bundt Cake
By: Lauren Katz - Ashburn, VA - 2nd Place Winner 2017
"This is a grown up s'mores-inspired version of my favorite chocolate cake recipe that calls for hot coffee as the liquid component. I have chosen to use mini-bundt pans, which are a very genius size for 1 person, or perfect for sharing by the fire. I brew the delicious Door County Sinful Delight Coffee double strength for this recipe, so that the coffee flavor comes through in every bite. The graham streusel adds a great crunch, and the coffee flavored Italian meringue is the grown up "marshmallow", which is torch-toasted just like a great s'more. Enjoy!"
Ingredients:
Featured ingredient: Sinful Delight Coffee 10 oz. Bag Ground
For the Cakes:
- Baker's nonstick spray
- 1-1/3 cup flour, for divided use
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot strongly brewed Door County Coffee Sinful Delight Flavored Coffee
- 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
For the Icing drizzle:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons strongly brewed Door County Coffee Sinful Delight Flavored Coffe
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
For the Coffee marshmallow meringue:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup strongly brewed Door County Coffee Sinful Delight Flavored Coffee
- 4 egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Using baker's nonstick spray, prepare a mini bundt pan, set of 6 (these are larger than cupcake sized)
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder, whisk to combine
- In a large measuring cup, combine buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla, whisk well
- Pour into dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined
- Stream in hot coffee slowly while mixing on low. When batter comes together, pour into prepared mini bundt pans until they are half full (Save any remaining batter for a second batch)
- In a small mixing bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until they resemble clumpy sand, reserve mixture
- Bake bundt cakes for 12 minutes
- Sprinkle streusel evenly on top of partially baked cakes, return to oven and bake until done in center when tested with a toothpick. This will be approximately 12-15 minutes, Let cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Flip cakes out carefully on parchment lined wire rack, Let cool completely.
- To make the drizzle, whisk powdered sugar, brewed coffee & butter together in a small bowl until a thick but pourable consistency is achieved, Begin with 1 tablespoon coffee, adding more if mixture is too stiff
- Drizzle using a piping bag over cooled cakes. Let icing harden.
- Combine 3/4 cup of the sugar and coffee in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and simmer syrup without stirring until the thermometer reads 240°, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush.
- Meanwhile, place egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment. Whip on high until frothy. Slowly add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, whip until soft peaks form & continue whipping until medium peaks form. Reduce speed to medium, then pour hot coffee syrup into meringue in a slow, steady stream while whipping, Increase speed to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Reduce speed to medium and whip until meringue is cool.
- Place meringue in piping bag with star tip and pipe on top of each bundt cake
- Brulee top of meringue to "Toast" the marshmallow. Serve immediately
Cakes can be prepared in advance up to the meringue topping, which should be done right before serving.