Ingredients
|
Instructions
In a small (1/2 quart) saucepan, add 1 cup of the sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the chiles and simmer for 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chiles to a parchment-lined plate. (The simple syrup can be used for adding heat to a cocktail.)
Turn the oven on to 350 degrees and position the rack in the lower third. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch cake pan, then lay in a round of parchment paper cut to fit the pan and slather it generously with more butter (about a tablespoon). Sprinkle ½ cup of the pumpkin seeds in an even layer over the parchment, then sprinkle the seeds evenly with 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar. Set aside.
Measure the remaining 1 ¼ cups of pumpkin seeds and 1 cup granulated sugar into a food processor. Pulse the machine until the seeds are pulverized and resemble damp sand. Add the eggs and butter and pulse until incorporated. Add the flour, baking powder and mezcal and continue to pulse, just until you have a smooth batter.
Add the chocolate and chiles to the batter and pulse until it's mixed in - two or three times should do it. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan on a cooling rack, then upend it onto a serving platter and remove the parchment paper. The cake will have a crunchy layer of candied pepitas on top, which looks even more beautiful with a sprinkling of cocoa powder.
“2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (divided use)” > 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided use)
I can’t wait to try the recipe, thanks!
1st ingredient is Water.
Rick, That was a nice cake I’m making it today Thanks, looks great…
Actually, 1st ingredient is sugar I believe. 1 cup for the simple syrup, one cup for the batter and 2 TBSP for the bottom of the cake pan. The sugar listed later in the list appears to be a repeat and only 1 cup of water is used for the syrup.
I’m going to make this tonight, looking forward to it!
Well done Mitch! 🙂
We have shared this a number of times and we always get the same question!
I made this cake and baked for 40 minutes. Inside is still very wet. Almost like an undone brownie. Is this correct or should it be dry?
Okay I made this again and turned out better. I ended up baking for 50 minutes and it turned out just right
It should be dry.
Well, it is far from dry, it is more moist-brownie like. Making it according to recipe, with no modifications. As mentioned above, I have even added time to the recommended baking time, as my bake is between 50-55 minutes.
How about sharing the recipe for Plantain cake I devoured at Rick’s RED O in La jolla! The best cake ever and I usually don’t enjoy cakes that are not chocolate. This was a “knock-your-socks-off cake. I love the side pepita crunch. YUM
Thank you!
A.Gates
This is the best cake ever. The Plantain Cake served at Red O’s in La jolla. Can you please tell me how I can obtain this recipe? Is it included in one of Mr. Bayless’ cook books that I can purchase?
Thank you,
A.C Gates
What kind of cocktail would you recommend making with the left over simple ancho syrup?
I’ve seen Chef put the syrup in an old fashioned and it would also be tasty in a margarita!
I passed the syrup on to a friend of mine who said it made a perfect Old Fashioned.
I put it in a margarita and it was awesome
why not fix the recipe!!! So we do not have to guess. There is sugar listed later and why divided use?
Fixed now, sir. Thanks.
Very tasty. Had my eye on this recipe for a long time. Rich. Might consider reducing the sugar somewhat. Not spicy but my chiles are pretty old. I weighed them and found that 2 ounces was closer to 4 chiles. Pulverized the chiles along with the sugar as a commenter on another site said incorporating them at the later instruction left them too chewy in their larger state.
I made this cake and it was great!!! my friends all loved it. I will be making it again.