I’m not sure what I love most about Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake! It’s a tie between the buttermilk vanilla icing drizzled all over the warm cake that settles in every single crevice, or the crunchy brown sugar, walnunt, and chocolate chip topping! No need to worry about choosing your favorite part though! Grab a fork and dive right in because every single bite is pretty amazing!
My mom used to make this Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake quite often when we were growing up. Thank heavens it had plenty of chocolate chips, but I never liked raisins and thought it was a bit of a mean trick. Since they look like chocolate chips I was completely expecting that chocolate taste I’m absolutely addicted to. It was such a let down to learn they were actually raisins!
To this day I still don’t like raisins; not in my Spud Nut Cinnamon Rolls, or even in my S’mores Trail Mix. The other day I needed to run into town with Justin to run a few farm errands. We got caught up working in the office too long, then a cute old man stopped by to buy a couple calves. Why does that always happen?
We ended up rushing out of the house to make it to our appointments on time so I grabbed a cup of trail mix for lunch. I know, it’s not much of a lunch but it’s all I had time for. Don’t tell Justin, but I picked all the M&M’s out and gave him the raisins and nuts! Don’t tell him though…he just thinks we bought low quality trail mix!
Even raisin haters will love them in this cake!
I’m not sure what it is about this cake, but I actually really like raisins in here. Most of my family is a bit ify about raisins and they chowed this stuff right down!
One of the steps in this cake is boiling raisins in water with baking soda in it. Obviously it makes the raisins puff up and soft. They aren’t chewy in the cake at all. They’re a fantastic addition. But, if you really just don’t think you’re family can get past them, just omit them. You really should try it though…you might suprise yourself. (Still no raisins in my trail mix, or cookies!)
Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake is a perfect company dessert!
This is seriously the most moist and decadent cake! I love making this cake for company because
- it’s quick and easy to throw together
- I always have all the ingredients on hand
- And everyone always loves it!
I love the added crunch of walnuts, and some of my family won’t touch them. Here’s my tip for entertaining, whether it’s company or just your family. To make everyone happy I only add nuts to half of the cake. It’s kind of a good idea for company so everyone gets what they want!
When do I add glaze to the cake?
Mix the cake batter.
Sprinkle brown sugar, walnuts, and chocolate chips over the top of the cake.
Bake the cake.
When the cake is almost finished baking baking prepare the glaze.
As soon as the cake comes out of the oven pour the glaze all over the cake.
It will pool up on top of the cake a bit, but eventually it will sink down in, and when it does magical things will happen to that cake!
You don’t even have to wait for the cake to cool!
This cake is fantastic served warm! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to offset all that sweetness. Or pile it high with freshly whipped cream! And if you want to eat it just as it is, go ahead! My mom always served it by itself and it’s fantastic that way too!
Picnic Spice Cake is pretty darn good served at room temperature, and it’s also delicious served straight out of the fridge! You get to pick!
Can I make Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake ahead of time?
You know how some foods are even better the next day (I’m thinking of you Slow Cooker Beef Stew)? As this cake sits it continues to soak up all that glaze and is every bit as tasty as day old cake as it is the first time around! Go ahead and make it the day before company arrives! It will still be amazing!
Grab my Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake recipe!
This cake is not you’re average cake recipe! It’s more than just a plain old cake! Trust me…you’re going to fall in love with he moist cake, crunchy walnuts, decadent chocolate chips, and of course that glaze truly is like icing on the cake!
Chocolate Chip Picnic Spice Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 c. raisins
- 1 1/2 c. water
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 c. granulated sugar
- 3/4 c. butter room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. walnuts chopped
- 1 c. chocolate chips
For the Glaze
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1 c. garnulated sugar
- 1/2 c. buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp. corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Instructions
For the Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add water and raisins to a saucepan. Over medium heat bring to a gentle boil. Add baking soda. Remove from heat. Set aside.
In a seperate bowl add flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix together to combine. Set aside.
In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and beat again. Add vanilla.
Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix only until combined.
With mixer running, slowly add water and raisins to the bowl. Beat until completely incorporated.
Pour in a greased 9" x 13" baking pan. Sprinkle brown sugar, walnuts, and chocolate chips over the top of the cake. Do not stir.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
For the Glaze
About 5 minutes before the cake finishes baking make the glaze.
Add butter, sugar, buttermilk, and corn syrup to a sauce pan. Overn medium heat bring to a gently boil. Reduce heat to low. Add vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will get super bubbly and foam up. Remove from heat.
After cake has finished baking drizzle glaze all over the top of the cake. The icing will pool up on top of the cake but will settle over time.
Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Or serve at room temperature. May also be served without cream.
Jen says
March 11, 2019 at 11:18 amI love trying new things and this sounds amazing! I’m all about that icing drizzle!
Amy Engberson says
March 11, 2019 at 10:01 pmThe glaze is yummy enough to eat with a spoon! It’s worth resisitng because it’s so yummy on this cake!
Paula says
March 11, 2019 at 5:10 pmThis is the kind of picnic I want. Oh my gosh, this has to happen.
Amy Engberson says
March 11, 2019 at 10:01 pmLet the warm weather and picnics begin! This cake is the perfect addition to any picnic!
Anna says
March 11, 2019 at 6:59 pmCan’t wait to make this cake! It looks fantastic!
Amy Engberson says
March 11, 2019 at 9:58 pmYes! It’s so scrumptious! My whole family loves it!
Amy Engberson says
March 11, 2019 at 10:08 pmThanks! It’s a fun spin on traditional spice cake! I think you’re going to love it!
Taylor says
March 12, 2019 at 12:38 pmWOW this cake looks like a dream! Love the glaze on top!
Melanie Bauer says
March 12, 2019 at 7:35 pmSounds spectacular! I’m seriously craving for this right now, need to make this!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
March 14, 2019 at 12:46 amI need to try this immediately, it looks so good!
Amy says
March 20, 2019 at 1:49 pmOh wow! Just look at all of that deliciousness! I am checking to see what I need and then I will be making this! Yum!
Amy Engberson says
March 22, 2019 at 9:43 pmI can’t wait for you to try it! It’s made mostly from standard staple ingredients, plus buttermilk and raisins. I hope you love it as much as we do! Enjoy!