Looks like a cake, tastes like a bread, well sort of, not really. If you like a not too sweet, looks dry but is not, well maybe, moist cake, then you are going to enjoy a flavor journey this cake bread has to offer you.
I came across this recipe on Samantha’s Hungry Dog food blog www.thehungrydog.blogspot.com I was more intrigued by her post than the recipe. However, it was her post that motivated me to prepare this very unusual cake bread. Now, I completely understand her ambivalence with this recipe. You can never quite put your finger on how to describe it. Although, I do think Samantha in true form gets as close as possible by describing it as “more dense than cakey, calling to mind a brownie that got kidnapped and sold into the spice trade.”
The most intriguing part about this recipe is that you will like it but, you won’t know why. Fascinating.
The ingredients create a unique flavor combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and whole anise seeds in a cocoa rich batter. It creates a very dark, dense bread cake. This dessert cake bread would pair up nicely with a good quality ice cream or fresh whip cream.
The recipe is easy to prepare but, it can make for a messy kitchen. Still, it’s worth the minimal effort with a few extra dishes to wash.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper, and butter that as well. Dust the insides of the pan with a bit of flour or cocoa powder and tap out any excess.
In a double boiler or a large, heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and the butter together, stirring until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a large bowl.
In another bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Add the anise seed.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer or with a handheld mixer, whip the eggs, yolks, honey, and sugar until thick and mousselike, about 5 minutes, on high speed.
Fold half of the whipped eggs into the chocolate and butter. Then fold in the remaining egg mixture.
Add the dry ingredients one-third at a time, using a spoon to sprinkle them over the batter and folding until the dry ingredients are just combined.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cake feels barely set in the center, but still moist.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Tap the cake out of the pan and cool completely on a rack. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours to let the flavors meld. Well wrapped, this cake will keep for about one week at room temperature, or one month in the freezer.
Enjoy!
Tomatoes on the Vine 
Looks fabulous! And I love David Lebovitz!
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Thanks for explaining how this just isn't \”cake\”, I was wondering when I read the title. Kidnapped brownie, hilarious.
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Oh, this looks and sounds chocolaty delicious! I have never made a cake like this and will definitely give it a try! Unusual and interesting!
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The spiced bread looks fabulous. So moist and dark..just my kinda bread. Pass me that wedge please!
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I love DL's recipes…they really work like a charm.This chocolate cake looks sensational!
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Hmm. Cake, masquerading as bread, that contains chocolate? This is all good!
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Anything Dave Lebowitz is a winner! This sounds like an intriguing bread/cake that is definitely worth making.
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It doesn't have a lot of sugar so I would probably like it better than a regular cake! Sounds really good! ♥
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Miam, chocolate goes so well with spices! This sounds and looks delicious!
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This looks fabulous. Another one bookmarked.
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Waw,..this chocolate spiced round cake looks fabulous, Velva!! Another must try,…that's for sure!
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Good blend! I like chocolate with certain spices..
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whatevder iti s abread or a cake I just take it !! Pierre de Paris
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Hmm, an interesting idea for sure. Maybe the recipe needs some tweaking, so one knows why they like it…maybe…
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Years agao I made a chocolate spice cake that has raisins in it; my oldest son always asked for this for his birthday cake; thank you for sharing this one.Rita
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I follow David's blog as well and his cooking is amazing, and this post is amazing and your chocolate thangy is amazing- I am hungry for this and amazed! Okay I am being silly too, but seriously!
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I love recipes like this, Velva! Must be divine with all those spices. And there certainly is enough sugar to make it sweet. Plus the extra semi sweet chocolate. The anise flavor must be interesting too.
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Glad to see this post, Velva! The cake looks gorgeous. And my ambivalence over this recipe is now validated… Have a great sunday!
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Great recipe, love the taste of anise seeds x
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A chocolate spice cakes looks wonderful.
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David is one of the first blogs I followed… A wonderful read… and I remember this recipe.. glad it found a home
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Sounds so interesting!! I am going to have to try this one.
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I'm intrigued! It sounds really good. I've got a happiness award for you over at my blog if you would like it. I've also referenced your address so my readers can get to know your blog.
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Oh my goodness! I love Dave Leibovitz and this is one picture perfect chocolate cake you made!
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that looks wonderful Velva and soooooo chocolaty!!! right up my alley…LOL!!!!
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what a fun cake, i looks amazing!
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spics cake with chocolate…sond great isn't david leibovitz great??sweetlife
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Nothing like ambiguous food to get the conversation going. I'm curious to find out what others think of it.
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Looks great. I love chocolate with spices…especially with cinnamon.
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That looks so tempting..yum!
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I think this sounds great for breakfast with butter & jam!
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Cake/bread sound perfect to me, you can eat it for breakfast or dessert.Mimi.
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Such a moist looking cake, love a slice to cheer me up!
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I love your description of this cake. I know what you mean about liking something but not knowing why…I find those foods the most intriguing.
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Looks really good, love the description, I'd definitely have a slice, or two 🙂 How about toasted with a scoop of vanilla?
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Hello Miss Velva! If you get a second, please stop by my blog. I've nominated you for an award:)http://meatandpotatoesfoodie.blogspot.com/
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Oh my, that does look luscious! And, I can't wait for \”tomatoes on the vine\”!!Best,Bonnie
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You're right, this looks like it would be amazing with some whipped cream…a gorgeous cake!
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That cake looks so rich and delicious,Velva!I love his recipes, too!
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Look at all those wonderful spices on the ingredients list – yum!
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You have me completely intrigued! That is a great description.
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Oh, this chocolate spice cake/bread looks heavenly! I can't wait to try it! Yummm!
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Looking at the list of ingredients I can see what you mean; maybe it is because all these spices have a hypnotic effect? I would love a slice of that cake/bread just about now!
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Your spice cake is gorgeous and well worth the trouble to clean up the kitchen.Sam
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Yum! Yum! Yum! I wish I had a slice right now.
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I adore the combination of chocolate and spices, and I know that this must have been a fabulous cake!
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