The high altitude chocolate cake recipe is a recipe that is adapted to use less baking powder than the norm because it reacts differently to humidity at high altitudes.
This chocolate cake, which originated from New York Times cooking columnist Molly Stevens and found its way into some Colorado cookbooks, has been around for years in various variations. I read a version of this recipe not long ago while working on an article. My version is adapted from that one, and I think it is a keeper.
The original recipe calls for baking powder, soda, and salt to be added all at once. Since baking powder reacts with cocoa, alkalinity, and acidity, you need to readjust the amount of baking powder to keep your cake nice and moist. If you really want a dry cake, cut down on milk or water in the recipe.
How to make High altitude chocolate cake recipe?
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 1 hour
Yield: 20
Servings Size: 1 generous slice
Cooking Vessel: 9 x 13-inch baking dish
Ingredients for High altitude chocolate cake recipe:
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cup hot coffee
- 1 ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 2 cups unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Directions for High altitude chocolate cake recipe:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and sides of an un-greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
Step 2: To make your high altitude brownies, add unsweetened cocoa powder to ½ cup of hot coffee and mix with a double-mixing whisk till foamy. Add remaining oil, eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract when cocoa is still hot. Mix until it forms a thick batter. This will be about 20 minutes.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ½ cup hot coffee and mix with a whisk till just combined. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Step 4: After an hour of baking, have a toothpick come out clean (no dry crumbs). Let cool for at least 20 minutes.
Step 4: Finally, you can serve your favorite chocolate cake or cupcakes with cream, ice cream, or yogurt. The original recipe calls for chocolate frosting, but it is up to you if you want to add a topping to make these high altitude brownies even more amazing.
Nutrition Facts of High altitude chocolate cake recipe
- Calories: 104
- Fat: 8.4 grams
- Saturated fat: 2.1 grams
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Carbs: 21.9 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 11.8 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
7 Amazing Health Benefits of High altitude chocolate cake recipe
#1. This cake provides you with a variety of nutrients that your body needs to function properly. The protein in this recipe helps you build strong muscles, bones, and tissue in your body.
#2. The high altitude brownies are low in fat content, making them very good for people on a diet that limits fatty foods and for healthy people who want to stay healthy by limiting fat intake.
#3. Those with type 2 diabetes are advised to consume less sugar to lower their risk of getting diabetes. This brownie provides you with healthy fats and protein, which keeps your blood sugar levels stable so that you do not experience the risks associated with high sugar intake.
#4. The high altitude chocolate cake recipe helps your body build strong nails because of its vitamin B content.
#5. When pregnant, it is best to avoid consuming high amounts of caffeine and alcohol; both tend to interfere with your baby’s health. This chocolate cake provides the right amount of protein and nutrients your body needs to function properly, especially during pregnancy.
#6. You will feel more energetic when you consume this high altitude chocolate cake because it is rich in B vitamins. These vitamins help your body produce energy by helping the conversion of food into usable energy in your body.
#7. When you have high altitude chocolate cake, you can stabilize your sugar levels. This is because the recipe calls for Greek yogurt, which contains lactose, a sugar that is not easily absorbed by the body.
Can I Freeze High altitude chocolate cake recipe?
Yes, you can freeze this high altitude chocolate cake recipe. Slice the cake into individual sandwiches and wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container for up to a month.
What do you add to a cake for high altitude?
The frosting is not needed for this healthy high, altitude chocolate cake recipe; however, you can add your favorite frosting on top of the cake.
This high altitude chocolate cake recipe is extremely delicious. However, too much of any good thing is a bad thing. If you decide to make this recipe, don’t eat too much, as it could lead to a large caloric intake and unnecessary fat gain in the long run. Moderate will be the key to maintaining weight while consuming these healthy high altitude brownies.
How do you make a high altitude cake moist?
To make a high altitude cake that tastes good and is moist, you must adjust the amount of baking powder used in the recipe.
If you notice cracked pieces of brownies after baking, it means that the Baking powder was not mixed well with the cocoa or simply too little cocoa was used. For excellent results, follow the instructions on this recipe and adjust the amounts accordingly.
Do cakes take longer to bake at high altitudes?
It takes longer to bake a cake at a high altitude than to bake the same recipe at lower altitudes. This is because the air pressure is lower at high altitudes than at sea level.
This means that cakes will rise faster and have more space between each layer of brownies, resulting in a denser final product. Another reason high altitude cakes take longer to bake is using fewer leavening agents such as baking powder.
How do you compensate for high altitude baking?
You will have to compensate for high altitude baking by using a cake pan that is not too large. When making a big batch of brownies, leave some space between each layer so that the air can flow through the pan and give your brownies an evenly baked crust.
Another method for baking high altitude cakes is removing the Baking soda from your ingredients. As this is a chemical leavening agent, it will not function properly at high altitudes and may lead to a dense cake.
Conclusion
Baking a high altitude chocolate cake can be a daunting task for some. In this article, you will learn about the best baking ingredients and how to adjust the ingredients when baking because of altitude. If you want to bake at home and want an easy recipe, follow this recipe and enjoy every bite of these delicious high altitude brownies.
I hope you were able to learn something about the High altitude chocolate cake recipe; feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think about it.