"THE WICKED WENCH"

Provided by Kelly Lollman

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 26

CAKE
2 stick unsalted butter, room temp
2 c sugar
2 3/4 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 c cocoa powder, unsweetened
1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 Tbsp white ground pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 Tbsp orange zest
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 large eggs
1/2 c rum (or 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp rum extract)
2 c strong brewed coffee, cooled
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
FROSTING/GLAZE
12 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 c butter, room temperature
2 c confectioners' sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp rum (or 1/2 tsp rum extract)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp lemon juice
grated coconut for garnish

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium mixing bowl, blend together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, spices and salt. Set aside. Grease and flour a bundt pan and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until creamy using a hand mixer. Add the eggs, rum, coffee and vanilla and blend until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients, blending until mixture is smooth.
3. Pour cake batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until cake tests done in the center with a knife or bamboo skewer. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack, then remove to a serving dish/platter.
4. For frosting: Whip the butter and about 2 tbs of confectioner's sugar together in a medium sized mixing bowl until smooth. Then add the cream cheese and whip until smooth. Add the remaining sugar and other ingredients, blending until smooth. Depending on whether or not you want a glaze or frosting, add more or less confectioner's sugar to tighten or loosen the mixture. Garnish with a little grated coconut if desired.
5. Note: For a stiffer, spreadable frosting texture always start off whipping the butter and adding a small amount of sugar to start, then add the cream cheese and blend well before adding the remaining ingredients. For a runnier glaze, omit the lemon juice and reduce the amount of sugar.