"Gentle rose and pistachio . . . is a very common combination in Indian sweets and desserts. This just lifts the very chocolatey pudding and makes it amazing."
"The rose is so subtle, and the pistachio just goes so well with chocolate. This is absolutely delicious." — Chetna Makan
Watch this recipe:
Rose and Pistachio Mississippi Mud Cake
Yields
1 cake
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
Cake
- Cooking spray or butter, for greasing pan
- 280 grams (2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 198 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 78 grams (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) light brown sugar
- 100 grams (1 cup plus 3 tablespoons) cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 200 milliliters (3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon) boiling water
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 200 milliliters (3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon) vegetable or sunflower oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2-2 teaspoons rose water, to taste
- 100 milliliters (1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons) buttermilk, at room temperature
- 200 grams (4 cups) mini marshmallows
Icing
- 100 grams (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) shelled pistachios
- 70 grams (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons whole milk
- 42 grams (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
- 200 grams (1 3/4 cups) confectioners' sugar
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Grease a 9x13-inch cake tin and line with parchment paper with overhang on the two long sides.
- Make the cake batter: In a large bowl, combine the flour, both sugars, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda, and salt.
- In another large heatproof bowl, combine the boiling water and instant coffee and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk in the oil, eggs, rose water, and buttermilk. Pour the coffee mixture into the flour mixture and beat for 1 minutes until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared tin. Bake for about 20 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Sprinkle the marshmallows over the surface of the cake and return it to the oven for about 5 minutes until they have melted slightly (but don't take on any color—this will vary by oven). Let the cake cool in the tin for 5 minutes before pulling it out by the parchment overhang and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the topping. Use a food processor or knife to very finely chop the pistachios. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the butter, milk, and cocoa powder until the butter has melted. Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in the confectioners' sugar until you have a smooth icing. Dollop the icing over the cake and spread smoothly with an offset spatula, then sprinkle the pistachios on top. Serve at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
