Chocolate Red Wine Cake

The chocolate red wine cake is a delicious and intriguing variation of the classic chocolate dessert. The red wine contributes with its aromatic nuances to enhance the chocolate flavor, creating a truly special mix. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 200 g of all-purpose flour
• 150 g of granulated sugar
• 100 g of soft butter
• 100 g of dark chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 120 ml of full-bodied red wine (such as Chianti or Merlot)
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• Icing sugar (optional, for decoration)
• (Optional) Cinnamon or a pinch of chili powder for a spicy touch

Preparation

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, then let it cool slightly.
2. In a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream the soft butter with the sugar until you get a light and fluffy mixture.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating well into the mixture.
4. Add the melted chocolate and mix.
5. At this point, slowly pour in the red wine, stirring to blend the ingredients together.
6. Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt, and fold into the mixture gently to avoid lumps.
7. (Optional) Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder depending on the variant you desire.
8. Pour the batter into a previously buttered and floured cake pan.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
11. (Optional) Dust with icing sugar before serving.

You can serve this cake as a dessert at the end of a dinner, perhaps pairing it with a glass of the same wine used in preparation, to create a perfect match.

Curiosity

The addition of red wine in a chocolate dessert is not just a modern twist, but has deep roots in European gastronomy, where wine and spices were often used to flavor sweet preparations. Wine, in particular, helps to enhance the bitter tones of the cocoa, adding a layer of complexity to the taste.