Name: Chocolate Espresso Spelt Cake
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for pan; 3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder plus additional for dusting pan and cake; 1 cup boiling-hot water; 1 1/2 tablespoons instant-espresso powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 lb Medjool dates (12 to 14), pitted and coarsely chopped (1 1/2 cups); 2 cups spelt flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup packed dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs; Accompaniment: lightly sweetened whipped cream; a 9-inch springform pan

A single slice of a dark onelayer chocolate cake with whipped cream on the side.

Photo by Romulo Yanes

This cake is the little black dress of fiber — velvety and sophisticated. Medjool dates lend it an unbelievably unctuous texture. When measuring spelt flour, be sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off to prevent packing it down; this will keep the cake light.

Recipe notes

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.