Saturday, August 29, 2009

Take a Bite Of: Mexican Chocolate Cake

Congratulations to Tara at Tarable for winning the Starbucks giveaway. Thank you all for celebrating that landmark with me.

We are having a fab get together this afternoon with some close friends and family before JohnnyMac and I head off to the formal night of my 20 year reunion. JohnnyMac's interest in his own 20 year reunion was quite low to the ground while my enthusiasm for mine is skyrocket-like which includes high kicks and singing song lyrics like "It's tricky to rock and rhyme, rock and rhyme its right on time".

And since I am a speaker tonight, I green-lighted a few extra shots for him, AND assured him none of my comic stylings on the mic will be about him.

And if you don't like to bake, don't want to learn, but need the one sure thing you can bring to holiday parties, office get togethers, or baby showers, look no further my friend. This may be the most delicious cake I have ever made. And I make a particular cake that requires seven hours of my time. This one though, could not be easier. I even won a neighborhood bake-off with this recipe.

Not too long ago, it was pointed out to me (by JohnnyMac and supported by HiPie) that whenever I make something I like, instead of just asking someone to try it and tell me what they think, because I am brimming with enthusiasm (and confidence, apparently) I opt rather to say "try this. Its incredible, isnt it?" I will save you all of the accolades that accompany this recipe because some people don't need to be led to the water to drink, do they? Buon Appetito!

Mexican Chocolate Cake:
Ingredients:

1 stick butter (no one said light or fat-free did they?)
1/2 cup oil ( I use canola)
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 cup water
2 cups unsifted all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk (*you can make your own, see below)
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Put butter and chocolate in saucepan over medium low heat until completely melted. Cool by adding oil and water. Put all other ingredients in mixing bowl and slowly incorporate the melted chocolate mixture until well blended. Pour into a greased 11 x 15 pan (you can use a lipped cookie sheet) and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. While cake is still warm top with:

Mexican Chocolate Cake Icing:

1 stick butter (don't worry about it!)
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
6 Tbl milk
1 lb powdered sugar.
1 tsp vanilla

Put butter and chocolate in saucepan until completely melted. Remove from heat and add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Use handmixer until completely smooth.

Note: the batter and icing are not stiff.
Note 2: when my Aunt makes this cake, she uses all buttermilk and no water
Note 3: I have added cinnamon to the icing as well. And I have added a dash of cayenne pepper to the batter before too. Mmmmm...spicy and fantastic.

* if you don't have buttermilk, add 1/2 T of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 c. of milk. Let stand for a few minutes and then proceed.

29 comments:

the walking man said...

No joke: Comic sued over mother-in-law gibes

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32567262/




Better stick to knock knock jokes.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

All this time they've been looking for a 'cure' for the symptoms of PMS, PMDD,Pre-M, Post-M, etc. Shoot honey, PATENT AND MARKET!!!

The Savage said...

But how can I be a maven of anything? I'm a guy....

If I make this cake, I'll be upset if I grow a set of boobs.

Wonderful food porn, as always, my dear.

lsnellings said...

That sounds amazing!!

I was sooooo excited about my 10 year reunion but my husband asked if he could stay home with the kids. I said no!

I left you an award on my blog!

sheila said...

It was hard to focus on the post after looking at the picture. lol. (no, really, it was) ha ha

I enjoyed my 20 reunion a few yrs back. I loved seeing the girls who thought their shit didn't stink..now fat and sloppy. And the hot guys who were now balding and had guts overlapping their jeans.

good times.

Anonymous said...

That sounds yummy! Have fun tonight!!

mzbehavin said...

I just gained 3 pounds reading that recipe...... and decided to become a follower... in case you have more..... :-)

James said...

OK, I'm sold.

Debbie said...

That sounds incredible! I bet my husband would do anything for that:)

Laura Trevey said...

I included you in my
Inspiration post today ~~
Have a wonderful weekend!
Laura

Deborah Godin said...

Sounds like a great time coming your way. The cake recipe is fantastice, and the drinks will be great, no doubt, but what I want to hear about is the playlist, the music!

HalfAsstic.com said...

OH GAWD! Jenny, can I just say that my family loves this recipe and we have been making the exact same thing for years?! (Well, only difference being the use of coco instead of unsweetened chocolate and the addition of cinnamon.) We refer to it as "The Birthday Cake" because everybody knows Birthday cake is the best!
The next time I make it I am definitely going to throw in the cinnamon and some red pepper. I love to try things different!

Hit 40 said...

I think we call this texas sheet cake in Ohio?? Very yummy recipe.

Mike said...

Looks like a couple of really nice receips. Thanks for sharing...

Stephanie Faris said...

WOW. That sounds delicious. Hope you had fun at the reunion!

Ashley said...

Delicious! I will definitely have to give this one a try!

Sabrina said...

Yum!!! Thanks for the recipe!! :)

Chief said...

Oh Lord, My ass does not need this

Jeanne Estridge said...

Thanks for coming to visit. While I don't cook, I do bake, so I'll be trying this baby out!

Erin Bassett said...

Oh yum!! Sounds delish!

Stopping by from SITS.

Missy said...

This dessert sounds better than sex!

kel said...

Oh my gosh that sounds so good!!

Melissa B. said...

From one chocoholic to another, THANK YOU! And have fun reunionizing. After a few shots, try playing my Silly Sunday Sweepstakes. Sure would love your comic stylings over here!

Keith said...

That sounds so delicious.

Unknown said...

sounds absolutely yummy!

Dacia said...

Wow, what a yummy sounding recipe! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.

Jen said...

I am SO making that cake - it's birthday season for all the kiddos here, so I have lots of opportunity to try new recipes :)

Cocaine Princess said...

You always have the greatest dessert recipes. I love Mexican chocolate, especially Hagen Dazs ice cream- Mayan Chocolate.

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Yummy! Love mexican chocolate I made some cookies this Christmas. I'll have to try this one! Thanks :)