Name: Mexican Chocolate Cake
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 hr
Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients: 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder; 3/4 cup water; 2 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk; 2 tablespoons vanilla; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 cups chopped pecans (71/2 ounces); 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup half-and-half; 1/2 cup confectioners sugar; 5 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped; 1/4 teaspoon salt; a 9-inch tube pan or 12-cup bundt pan

At the bakery, Rather makes both cupcakes and bundt cake with this recipe. The hint of cinnamon in the batter is a nod toward Mexican chocolate, which often contains cinnamon and spices.

Cooks' note:

Cake (with glaze) can be made 2 days ahead and kept at room temperature in a cake keeper or covered with an inverted bowl.

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.