Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

I’m sitting at a coffee shop. BY MYSELF. My foot, however, is repetitively tapping the floor, because I just can’t shake the habit of constant movement: of rocking, of bouncing, of swinging my baby girl. I’m not going “back to work” in the traditional sense. I don’t have a 4o-hour-a-week job (And I likely won’t. Ever.) But that doesn’t mean I don’t work. I have photography and writing projects that allow me to help provide for our family. And in case you think this means I have it easy…these projects often result in me putting in 6o hours of work a week all while trying to take care of a 4-month old. It gets crazy hard.

And so we’re trying something new. My sweet cousin Laura is watching Lucy two mornings a week so I can steal away for six hours and work, uninterrupted, during the light of day.

Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

But another thing I didn’t realize about motherhood was this: you never stop thinking about your baby, no matter if they’re with you or with someone you love.

And so here I am with images that need editing and with a chapter that needs writing and all I can think about is the way Lucy laughs. She laughs now, and its the best sound in the world.

We made this Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake together last weekend. She sat in her bouncer and watched me work. This is how it often goes: she works with me, it takes twice as long, and it’s exhausting but also wonderful to watch her soak up these creative processes that make up my job. This cake is the best of two desserts: gingerbread and chocolate cake. Moist, dense, and full of deep flavor, each slice is meant to be savored on a cold winter day with a hot cup of coffee or tea by your side. The white chocolate drizzle is optional (but totally delicious). I used organic cake mix and pudding mix (but you can use the regular stuff…much easier to find!)

Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 box instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1 tablespoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 cup dark molasses

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup brewed coffee (or water)

1 cup mini chocolate chips

White Chocolate Drizzle

4 ounces white chocolate

4 teaspoons heavy cream

Coat a 10-cup bundt pan with baking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except chocolate chips (yes, just mix them all together!). Beat for two minutes, or until smooth. Pour into prepared bundt pan and bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes or until cake pulls away slightly from pan and springs back when touched.

Allow to cool for fifteen minutes before inverting on a wire rack.

Once cake has fully cooled, make white chocolate drizzle. Melt white chocolate and cream in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring well after each. Drizzle over completely cooled cake and enjoy!

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

40 thoughts on “Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cake”

  1. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker

    I hear that about motherhood, especially with new mothers. My sister is home all day with her two girls. She never has a day to herself or a date night with her husband. Anyway… This cake looks incredibly delicious! I love all the warm spices here. YUM! 🙂 Have a great rest of the week Monet.

  5. SallyBR

    Monet, motherhood is not for sissies… I never had kids myself, but follow the adventures and worries of my nieces with their kids. My youngest niece had a baby boy just 1 month ago, and he had a strange fever, that ended with him and my niece staying at the hospital for 10 days so he could get close attention and iv antibiotics. She is going home today – I always send the link to your blog to her, by the way

    I guess one can never completely relax after becoming a parent, mothers perhaps more intensely, but fathers too – particularly the wonderful fathers like your husband is!

    sorry I did not say anything about the cake, as usual, your posts go beyond cooking, in a bautiful way!

  7. Julia {The Roasted Root}

    Awww, I can imagine how it can be difficult to spend time away from your little bundle of joy, but I’m happy to hear you’re settling into a life where you can work and be momma at the same time 🙂 This cake is driving me nuts-OH! Looks so good!

  11. Shundara@SavyNaturalista

    It can be frustrating when people think blogging and writing recipes is so easy; all the work that goes into it!! Makes me cringe sometimes! I admire all the moms who do it because writing, commenting, answering emails, and taking care of the kids your putting more hours then me with just school and work.. I love your recipes Monet and thanks for making it seem effortless.. 🙂

  12. john@kitchenriffs

    Nice that you’re finding a way to carve out some time for yourself! Although how can you not continually think about little Lucy? 😉 Lovely flavors in this cake – thanks so much.

  13. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

    how sweet of your cousin to watch little Lucy for you! I’m sure she’s constantly on your mind. You are such a talented writer and photographer, and I am in awe over how much you are able to do while taking care of that little one!

  15. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking

    That’s so nice that your cousin is helping watch Lucy so you can wrap up other projects, Monet! Hopefully it allows you some mind-clearing time even if your thoughts never stray from that precious little lady! This cake is magnificent. I can never get enough gingerbread this time of year… and of course, chocolate, all year round! Such a great recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  17. Ashley

    So glad that you’re able to get in a little time to yourself to work : ) Even if you are thinking about that little cutie while doing so! This cake sounds delicious – I love that it uses sour cream and of course all those spices!

  19. Becky

    Monet,
    I will be making this cake for the holidays.I love the chocolate gingerbread combo.

    Once a mother. always a mother. You never stop thinking about your children, even if they are grown up. It is good that you can steal away for a couple of hours, even if you are working.

  20. amy @ fearless homemaker

    How neat that you’re getting some time to yourself now – my mother-in-law wants to stay watching our little one every Friday for a few hours so they can bond, and I can get some AMy time. I think we’re going to start this week! I’m so excited, yet reluctant to leave my little one. Silly, but true. =) Oh, and this cake looks divine!!

  21. Catherine

    Dear Monet,

    Life is a balancing act for sure. Take one day at a time. It will all fall into place.
    Your cake looks rich and delicious, as I am sure it is. It is perfect for a good cup of coffee. Blessings dear and a hug, Catherine xo

    p.s. Please stop by and enter my giveaway for a cookie cookbook.

  23. Jessie

    Aww! Lucy is going to be a master baker someday with all that’s she’s learned from you at her disposal. This dark chocolate gingerbread cake looks absolutely amazing with its dark molasses. I can see myself have a warm wedge of this with a cup of hot tea 🙂

    I’m so glad you’re getting some uninterrupted time to work – you’re a busy gal! And with a little Lucy waiting for you, I can imagine you’re eager to finish your work 😉

    Hope you all are having a great week!

  24. Terra

    Everything about this cake screams YUM! I love that you added pudding mix, I have heard it adds moisture to the sweet treat:-) Beautiful, Hugs, Terra

  27. Kelly

    Oh my goodness Monet, this cake looks magnificent and I am swooning over the white chocolate glaze!
    Aaw, it can definitely be hard not to think about your precious little one while you leave them in someone else’s care. It does get a little bit easier as time goes by but I don’t think that feeling ever goes away as a loving mom. I am glad to hear you are able to get away for a little bit – even if it is to work – it definitely is a balancing act but sometimes needed. Take care and hope you and Lucy have a fantastic first Halloween together:)

  30. Megan

    Your daughter is going to love it when she gets old enough to really help in the kitchen, I’m sure. Great that you can share this with her already. The cake looks beautiful!

  32. Marcie

    This cake looks spectacular, Monet. Gingerbread is a favorite of mine and it sounds wonderful with dark chocolate! I relate to your hard work at home. The hardest years of my life were when my kids were small, yet they are some of my very best memories too. It’s all worth it as you know! It’s so nice that you get a healthy break a couple of mornings a week as being away only makes you miss her more. You sound like such a great mother!

  33. kitchen flavours

    Having sometime for yourself is simply wonderful! Taking care of a baby is indeed a round-the-clock “work”!
    Your cake looks so delicious, as always!
    All the best in your project!
    Hugs to Lucy!

  34. Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner

    One of my sisters recently had her first baby. She quite her job and stays home now. It’s definitely an adjustment but she’s happy.
    You sound like a great mom. A little time set aside for a mom is a good thing. 🙂
    Your cake looks mad tasty! Love how you combined chocolate and gingerbread together. I never thought to do that but it makes sense.

  37. Liz

    Yup, I want mine with the white chocolate drizzle! And that momma feeling never goes away…even when your baby is 20!

  38. Amy @ Elephant Eats

    Aw, I bet Lucy’s laugh is so cute! Glad you’re figuring out a way to balance motherhood and work. Sounds like you’re doing a great job. And this cake looks amazing…I’ve been doing the pudding mix + cake mix trick for years and it makes such a moist and delicious cake 🙂

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