Have you ever bookmarked a recipe and waited years to make it? Am I the only one who keeps a hold of recipes for that long?? It’s probably ridiculous I know, but this recipe for Vintage Chocolate Pudding Cake by Donna at Apron Strings Blog caught my eye when she first posted it in 2013. It looked warm and gooey and perfectly rich for a special occasion like a Valentine’s Day dessert! Plus it’s inspired by a vintage recipe but made with a few modern alterations making it vegan and easy to alter for gluten free.
I made a few changes from the original recipe, adding some spice, making it a mexican chocolate flavor and using my favorite ingredients. I use Rodelle’s Dutch Process Cocoa which is rich and silky and contains contains one of the highest levels of cocoa butter on the market. I think if you’re using cocoa instead of pure chocolate for any chocolate recipe, you must find a high quality cocoa. Today I’m giving away a canister of Rodelle Dutch Process Cocoa. More details at the bottom of the post.
On Gratitude
Besides chocolate-y desserts, I think Valentines Day should be filled with thankfulness. It’s too easy to get caught up in expectations and commercialism but I want to bring it back to what I’m thankful for in love and in my spouse. If you’re not married, it’s a great time to show gratitude to your friends and others whom you love.
Earlier this week I dove into the idea of what’s in our hearts coming out in our actions and speech. Today, in thinking of Valentine’s Day I think it’s the perfect time to start training our minds in gratitude. This isn’t natural for me, I so wish it was, but when I say train, I mean it. Sometimes, I need to take some time to write down a few things I’m thankful for in my husband or friendships. This helps me to think positively and then also act more positively towards those in my life.
Since, we’re on the subject of gratitude and I can’t shy away from introducing the subject without some vulnerability myself, I thought I would share some things I’m grateful for in my husband and friendships.
Josh, I’m grateful that you enjoy cooking with me and that you’ll try anything random that I decide on for dinner. Most of the time it ends up good but occasionally it’s sub par and you still eat it with me, not wasting and grateful in your own way. I’m also thankful for the occasional coffee drop off or taking a turn on the dishes or house cleaning. These seem simple, but I need these little breaks and treats more than you know. I am also grateful when you turn on the music in our home or play your guitar in our home, it completely changes the feel inside and makes everything feel more light. And thank you for making me pancakes.
For my dearest and closest friends, I’m grateful for little drop offs on my doorstep from clothes for Everett to notes, and treats. This literally makes my day! Thanks for sharing coffee and life with me, taking laps around the park with me, for praying with me and for me, and for never judging me when I need to vent or have a bad attitude on life.
Like I said before, I tend towards being cup-half-empty when it comes to my attitude sometimes and I honestly have to train my mind to be more positive. Sounds weird but I’m telling you, it works. Remember that verse I shared earlier, that was how I got my start in all of this. Magically, when I’m thinking well, whether it’s a little forced or not, the things I was complaining about or bitter about fade away. I write all of this to you today in practice, because I need it, and if anyone else needs it too, please join me.
GIVEAWAY
For the giveaway of Rodelle Dutch Process Cocoa, please leave a comment with either a chocolate-y dessert you love on Valentines Day OR something you’re grateful for in someone you love. Winner will be announced Feb 5th is Erin from Well Plated.
Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe
Ingredients
for the cake:
- 1 cup flour, whole wheat pastry flour or gluten free cup for cup
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons Rodelle cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Rodelle vanilla extract
for the pudding layer
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoon Rodelle cocoa
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9 inch round cake pan or pie plate. Whisk together the dry ingredients for the cake: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, cayenne, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl mix together the coconut oil and almond milk (if you have trouble combining them you can heat them in the microwave for 5 second intervals, whisking in between until they are at the same temperature). Stir in vanilla to this mixture.
- Pour the almond milk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula just until combined.
- Pour this batter into the prepared pan and smooth over the top.
For Pudding Layer
- Combine the sugars and cocoa and spread them evenly over the cake batter. Then, pour the water over the top, making sure it's evenly distributed. Do not stir. The cake will rise to the top and the pudding will set at the bottom with the sugars creating a crispy top layer.
- Place the cake in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. The cake is done when the edges are crispy and the top is dry to the touch.
- Let cool for 10 minutes then serve with vanilla bean ice cream.
Notes
In case, you need more Valentine’s Day Dessert ideas. Here are a few more chocolate-y favorites
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
Becky, I adored this post, and I am so grateful that my sister always ALWAYS makes a point to call and keep in touch.
You and your sister seem like the best of friends! You are both very lucky to have each other 🙂
Oh my, I’m afraid my life isn’t complete without this cake. I’ve been wasting my life up until this point.
I couldn’t agree more 🙂 Must make this cake. ASAP!
I love this. I recently purchased a planner that has a section for daily gratitude and I’ve loved it. It makes me take a moment to remember the good things about each day. I’m also thankful that my husband joyfully eats all the random things I end up cooking even when they don’t turn out as planned. Also, I adore this cake and the photography!
What a great planner. I need to find one of those! And I second you on your thankfulness… my husband has eaten a lot of random meals over the years!
Lovely, sincere post. I need training too. I’ve always viewed relationships being on an escalator, you either go up or down. You never stay the same. So we need all the training we can get to strengthen those relationship muscles!
Gratitude is absolutely tied to love. It reminds me of what Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” 🙂
I love making chocolatee desserts on Valentine’s Day, too! A recent favorite is the Mississippi Mud Pie Cake from one of the BAKED cookbooks. It has an Oreo crust, flourless chocolate cake layer, homemade chocolate pudding layer and then barely sweetened whipped cream top to balance it all out!
I love that quote Becky and the idea of the relationship escalator. Very true. And whoa… that dessert sounds too good to be true!
So so much to be thankful for!
It’s hard to not come out of our busy days and look at reality with the rosy glow we wish it was. However, I think you’re right on track, and I must say, I’ve never not seen you without a smile on your face and kind words coming from your lips. So I’m thinking you’ve got this glass half-full thing nailed. Hope you’re loving your trip.
Thanks friend! If I’m honest, its not always easy but when I take a step back I really do have so much to be grateful for! And yes, our trip to Spain was perfect. It happened too fast though!!
Great post Becky. We can all be more grateful. I love chocolate truffle cake. We only have it once a year, which makes it all the more special.
Bonnie, great to hear from you!! Chocolate truffle cake sounds divine!! And I agree that making special desserts on certain occasions makes them even more of a treat!
Chocolate brownies are my favorite when they are still gooey. I think the pudding cake would be the best of warm and gooey.
If you love gooey brownies, this cake is for you!!
Becky, I am thankful for the way you love my son and my grandbaby. When we are grateful for even the smallest things our heart becomes tender and joy filled. I wasn’t like this in my marriage but realized later what a kind word spoken and a simple “thank you” does for the atmosphere of the home! You are precious and I love you!
Thank you Lana. Josh does a lot that I am thankful for!
I love a molten chocolate cake with cream and berries on Valentine’s Day! I’m also grateful for my husband who makes me laugh in the best possible ways at the best possible moments!
A husband who can make you laugh is worthy of great molten cake in my book 🙂
I’m grateful for my husband’s patience and calm sense of self. He really brings that home and makes me feel whole and peaceful.
What a beautiful note Cori! Thanks for sharing your thankfulness here – I think its inspiring to hear how other people are grateful!
You are definetely not the only one bookmarking recipes and waiting for ever to make it! 😉 I´ve had my eyes on a similar recipe for …lets just say longer than a couple of years, but it´s for 12-15 people and we´re usually just on or two… Maybe I should just downscale it and get to it! Cause it looks so yummy!!!
Glad to know I’m not alone Malin! I’m sure you could also cut this recipe in half and bake it in a few ramekins!
I’m planning making a magic creme brulee chocolate cake for the one I’m grateful for, my nephew. I’m handicap and he has been helping me with whatever i need since he has been little. Now 12 he helps me up and down stairs, he won’t let me walk the dog, he does it. He deserves a special treat
What a beautiful note Annette! I cam imagine that a creme brûlée cake would be enjoyed by everyone! And your nephew sounds like a perfect gentleman!
This desert you whipped up looks luscious, decadent and delightful. Definitely on the list to try, ASAP. The Rodelle baking cocoa, vanilla and other extracts are such great high quality ingredients. Thanks!
My favorite chocolate dessert in the Valentine’s Day has always been molten lava cake. The reason is simple, it’s simple to make, which helps me reserve some time and energy to celebrate this occasion with my love. And it’s flexible, allowing me to make whatever flavor I liked. I have made strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, apricot, and matcha green tea flavor. What a perfect dessert!
Jacky, is the recipe online. I’ve made lava cake before but it wasn’t a really great recipe and I’d love to try it again!
Ohh green tea lava cake. I must know more!! Do you have a recipe to share?
I’m grateful eternally to the one that has provided me with everything for my good. And He is my Lord.
I couldn’t agree more 🙂
I love shortbread cookies, half dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with pistachios. That’s a great V-day dessert!!! This cocoa powder looks fab… Thanks for the chance at it!
Melissa, your shortbread cookies sounds perfect with chocolate and pistachios!
My favorite chocolate v-day dessert is Williams Sonama’s triple chocolate brownies. Every bite is heaven. Beautiful post!
Brooke, I’ve never tried those but I’m a huge brownie fan! I’ll have to try them and you should totally try Tim Keller’s brownie recipe that I have posted on this site. I think you would love them!
Chocolate Guinness cake is my to die for chocolate dessert…this sure looks yummy too!
I’m grateful for my parents. They do a lot for us.