CHOCOLATE SPICE CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING

Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing image

I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! -Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/3 cups 2% milk
ICING:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel popcorn with peanuts, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 well-greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in chocolate. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, allspice and cloves; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook and stir 3 minutes. Remove from heat; gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla., Place one cake layer on a serving plate; pour half of the warm icing over the cake. Top with remaining cake layer. Pour remaining icing over top of cake. If desired, top with caramel popcorn.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 589 calories, Fat 24g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 110mg cholesterol, Sodium 347mg sodium, Carbohydrate 92g carbohydrate (70g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.