CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CAKE

Chocolate Espresso Cake image

You can have your cake and eat it too with this lower-in-calorie, decadent cake. This single layer, rich chocolate cake is draped with a fantastic cherry sauce. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup strong brewed coffee
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
TOPPING:
1/2 cup cherry juice blend
1/2 cup port wine or additional cherry juice
2/3 cup dried tart cherries
2 tablespoons honey
Dash salt
1 package (12 ounces) frozen pitted dark sweet cherries, thawed and halved
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sweetened whipped cream

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 9-in. round baking pan with cooking spray; dust with cocoa, tapping out extra., In a large bowl, beat eggs, egg whites, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into egg mixture. Transfer to prepared pan., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Cool completely., In a large saucepan, combine cherry juice, wine, dried cherries, honey and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Stir in halved cherries; cook 2 minutes., Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cherry mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in extract. Cool. Serve cake with cherry sauce and whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 306mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.