Easy Molasses Cake
Boqueron, also known as Torta Hu and Torta de Miel Negra, is a staple Old Fashioned Molasses Cake from Paraguay. If you're a fan of molasses, you'll love this authentic Paraguayan version of molasses cake. Boqueron is a very popular and beloved dessert in Paraguay, and it can be prepared in many varieties. The predominant flavorings include fresh orange juice and zest and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg, which provide an extra flavor boost. Perfect for Fall, this cake will surely be a hit with family and friends! 😋
Ingredients
- 500 ml (2 cups) Molasses
- 250 ml (1 cup) avocado oil or canola oil
- 57 g (4 tablespoons) light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- zest from 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 eggs , room temperature
- 250 ml (1 cup) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 500 g all-purpose flour , sifted
- 4 g (1teaspoon) baking soda
- 15 g (1 tablespoon) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze:
- 120 g (1 cup) confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the Bundt pan with 1 tablespoon of butter, then add 2 tablespoons of flour and shake and tap to coat the interior of the pan; set aside.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a medium bowl and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the avocado oil, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and molasses until well combined.
- In a large liquid measuring cup, combine orange juice and orange zest. Add the flour mixture and orange mixture to the avocado oil mixture, alternating between the dry and wet ingredients in three parts, starting and ending with the dry. Fill the prepared pan with the batter. Bake the Molasses Cake "Boqueron" for 1 hour or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a rack and cool for 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto a rack to cool completely, at least 20 minutes.
How to Make Orange Glaze
- Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Add a few more drops of juice, if necessary, to make it pour easily. Use a large spoon to drizzle the glaze all over the cake and allow the glaze to dry. Slice the Molasses Cake "Boqueron" and serve.
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you could freeze the cake for 2-3 months. To freeze, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a freezer-safe container.
To reheat: The cake you could wrap individual slices in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 15-20 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, you could warm the cake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated. Watch the cake carefully when reheating to prevent it from drying or burning. You could also top the warm cake with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Make-Ahead
Molasses cake can be made ahead of time for convenience, especially if you're planning to serve it for a special occasion or event. To make the cake ahead of time, prepare the batter as directed in the recipe, then pour it into the baking pan and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. You could refrigerate the unbaked cake for up to 24 hours before baking or freeze it for 2-3 months before baking. If you freeze the unbaked cake, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking. Once thawed, bake the cake as directed in the recipe and allow it to cool completely before serving.
You could also make the cake in advance and store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, as described in the previous section. This is an excellent option if you want to prepare the cake in advance for a special occasion or event or if you want to have a sweet treat on hand for the week. When storing the cake, be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from the refrigerator.Nutrition Facts
Easy Molasses Cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
580
% Daily Value*
Fat
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
0.004
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
14
g
Cholesterol
41
mg
14
%
Sodium
264
mg
11
%
Potassium
971
mg
28
%
Carbohydrates
94
g
31
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
61
g
68
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
104
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
223
mg
22
%
Iron
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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