Ingredients

• 1 and 1/3 cups - all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup - unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp - baking powder
• 1 cup - chopped dried apricots
• 1 cup - boiling water
• 5 ounces almond paste
• 3/4 cup - white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup - whole milk
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2/3 cup - finely chopped crystallized ginger
• 3/4 cup - unsalted butter, melted

How to Make Sweet and Spicy Chocolate Cake

• Pre-heat oven to 350.5 F (175.5 C).
• Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• Sift together flour, cocoa, and baking powder.
• Soak chopped apricots in boiling water for 1-2 mins.
• Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix almond paste and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture looks sandy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, beat for 2 minutes after each addition.
• Continue beating for about 10 mins, mixture should look thick and creamy.
• Mix in milk and then flour mixture.
• Mix only to combine the dry with the wet ingredients.
• Do not overbeat.
• Fold in apricots, chocolate, crystallized ginger and melted butter.
• Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake in pre-heated oven for about 1 hour, until done. Cool for 10 mins in pan.
• Remove from pan, and place on a wire rack to cool completely.