Mulled Wine Cake Recipe

Developing a recipe with a signature ingredient you dont particularly like is a curious experience. This holiday-themed mulled wine cake is a perfect example. While Im definitely not a fan of mulled wine, especially when served hot, I was pleasantly surprised by how using mulled wine in the batter transformed it into one of the most delicious spice cakes Ive ever had.

This cake is inspired by the German rotweinkuchen, a red wine cake, which I combined with a classic gingerbread cake recipe. The results were incredible! By the way, even if you dont make the cake, I highly recommend trying the icing made with spiced red wine its flavor and color are simply amazing, and Ill definitely be using that trick again.

So, whether you make the cake or just the icing, I really hope you give both a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Mulled Wine:

• 1 1/4 cups red wine
• 4 whole star anise pods
• 8 whole cloves
• 6 allspice berries
• 2 tablespoons brandy

Cake Batter:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup hot mulled wine

Icing:

• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 to 4 tablespoons cooled mulled wine (or as needed)

Mulled Wine Syrup (Optional):

• 1 cup mulled wine
• 1 cup white sugar

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Generously oil a 10-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Step 2: In a saucepan, combine red wine, star anise, cloves, allspice berries, and brandy. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes. Set aside 2/3 cup of hot mulled wine for the cake batter and allow the rest to cool completely.

Step 3: If you plan to make the optional mulled wine syrup, prepare a double batch of mulled wine so you'll have enough for both the cake and the syrup.

Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, brown sugar, and white sugar.

Step 5: Add orange zest, vegetable oil, and beaten eggs to the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork or whisk until the flour disappears and the mixture is smooth.

Step 6: Whisk in the reserved 2/3 cup of hot mulled wine, making sure the batter is smooth and shiny. Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, tapping it a few times on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, but start checking at 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick near the center of the cake; it should come out mostly clean. The cake may take a few extra minutes depending on your oven.

Step 8: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then turn it out onto the rack and remove the parchment paper. Let the cake cool completely on the rack.

Step 9: For the icing, whisk confectioners sugar with 3 to 4 tablespoons of cooled mulled wine in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. If the icing is too thin, add a bit more confectioners sugar; if its too thick, add a little more wine.

Step 10: Drizzle the icing over the cake using a whisk, letting the icing fall in a pattern you like.

Step 11: If youre making the optional mulled wine syrup, bring 1 cup of mulled wine and 1 cup of white sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Let it cook for 1 minute, then cool completely and chill before using.

Step 12: For extra wine flavor, drizzle some of the mulled wine syrup over the cake while its still warm, before icing it. You can also pour a small amount of syrup over each slice of cake when serving or serve the syrup on the side for guests to pour as they wish.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 517
• Total Fat: 15g (20% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 1g (7% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 47mg (16% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 340mg (15% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 78g (28% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (6% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 53g
• Protein: 5g (10% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 5mg (6% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 40mg (3% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (14% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 167mg (4% Daily Value)