Skip to main content

Fabulous Chocolate Cake

Do you love a rich, moist chocolate cake?  What about one topped with a fudge like frosting?  If you answered "yes" to those questions, then this cake is for you.  I have been making this cake for 30 years, but fell in love with it's chocolaty decadence while I was a student at Mississippi State University.  My college boyfriend's mother made this cake for me and I have been crazy about it ever since.  When I got married, a sorority friend gave me The Pick of the Crop cookbook.  I was thrilled to find the recipe in the cookbook.  It is my go to dessert for just about any occasion. It is a quick and easy homemade cake.  This page from my cookbook is a testimony to my family's loves for this recipe! 
So, let's get busy making this yummy cake!

The Starting Line-Up:


Cake Ingredients:
2 cups of all purpose flour                                            1 cup of water
2 cups of sugar                                                            1/2 cup of buttermilk
1 stick of butter                                                           1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 cup of shortening                                                    2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 tablespoons of cocoa                                                 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Icing
1 stick of butter                                                             1 box of powdered sugar
3 tablespoons of cocoa                                                  1 cup of pecans
6 tablespoons milk                                                         1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl.  Bring to a boil: butter, cocoa, and vanilla.   
Pour over flour and sugar mixture.   
To buttermilk, add soda, eggs, and vanilla.  Add this mixture to the sugar and flour mixture.  
Blend well.  Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 12 pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.  If you notice in the recipe, it calls for a 16x1/1/2 inch pan and cooks for 20 minutes.  I have always used a 9x12 pan and add 5 minutes to the cooking time.  While the cake is baking let's make the icing.
For the icing, bring to a boil 1 stick of butter, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, and 6 tablespoons of milk.   Whisk to combine.  Remove from heat and add the mixture to 1 box of powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly.  Add 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Add pecans and blend well.  Pour over cake while cake is still warm. 
Since it cooks in a 9x12 cake pan, it is easy to carry to events.  You never have to worry about cake layers sliding around!  This is sure fire way to take care of any chocolate craving!  Cut yourself a big piece and enjoy with a cold glass of milk.  Delicious! 
Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse
Sharing with these great blogs:
Amaze Me Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tuesday To Do Party
Blog Hopping Thursday!
Fill Your Cup Thursday
"Redoux" It Link Party
Foodie Friday
Sweet and Simple Fridays
 Time Travel Thursday

Comments

  1. BalishaSeptember 2, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    This is my go to chocolate cake recipe too. Mine came from a family that we were visiting many years ago. Their teenage daughter wrote it for me. I still have her recipe written on a piece of paper from a steno pad...and it looks like your recipe.
    I love your baking dish.
    Balisha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 2, 2013 at 8:44 PM

      Hi Balisha,
      Does your recipe have cola in it? Someone I know has a recipe that makes a cake similar to mine, but it has cola as an ingredient. I was given the baking dish as a set along with a few other pieces. It has a snap on lid, which I love. It is from the Temp-tations line from QVC. I have many pieces and use them often.
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  2. aspiritofsimplicitySeptember 2, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    I have a wonderful chocolate sheet cake recipe that every one loves. I don't make it very often though because I can't eat gluten and there is just so much cake...it's very hard to resist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 2, 2013 at 8:49 PM

      Oh, to eat a gluten free diet must be difficult. I can pass up a piece of cake, but bread is another thing! I think it is the German in me (my German grandmother always told me that Germans love bread)! Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmouse

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    It's one of my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  4. camp and cottage livingSeptember 2, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    I remember my Mother making this cake!
    I haven't seen the recipe in years.
    It was a moist and yummy cake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 6:57 PM

      We like it because it is so moist. I must admit that I am not a chocolate lover. I like chocolate chip cookies with no chips! This cake; however, is my one exception. Love it! Thanks for dropping by and following along. Come back anytime!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  5. Debby RaySeptember 2, 2013 at 10:01 PM

    Is this something like Texas Sheet cake? It looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 6:59 PM

      Hi Debbie Ray,
      It is similar to a Texas sheet cake. It is absolutely yummy! Thank you for visiting me at Still Woods and following along. Come back soon!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  6. chateau chicSeptember 3, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    YUMMY!!! My husband always says, "It's not dessert if it isn't chocolate!" I think this delicious looking cake would fit the bill.
    Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself. I'm following back.
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 7:01 PM

      Hi Mary Alice,
      I hope you make it for your husband. I bet he will love it, given his motto for dessert! Thank you for stopping by for a visit and following along. Come visit anytime!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  7. Julie NicholsSeptember 3, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Yummy..I have to try this. I am always in the mood for chocolate and your cake recipe fits the bill. Thanks for the visit. Following you on Google+

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 7:04 PM

      Hi Julie,
      It is yummy and super moist. I think that is what I like best about this cake. I hate a dry cake. The worst thing ever is to work on a homemade cake and have it turn out dry. I think you will really like this recipe. Thanks for the visit and following along on Google+
      Have a great evening!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  8. One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.September 3, 2013 at 4:05 PM

    Oh my
    my copy of Nashville Cookbook
    I have it dated 7/1975
    has this stained and well worn recipe.
    My children all grown now
    it is their favorite.
    They would rather have then candy.
    Always made at Christmas and special gatherings.
    You make me smile
    when they all visit in the future
    will have to make it.
    IT IS THE BEST.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 7:08 PM

      It is the best, isn't it?! I was telling another visitor that I am really not a chocolate lover. I would rather have a plain cookie or dessert than one filled with chocolate; however, I love this cake. Glad to know other people have cookbooks with stains like I have pictured above!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  9. LeslieSeptember 3, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    Oh my! This chocolate cake looks perfect!! I would love a slice now!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 4, 2013 at 7:10 PM

      Hi Leslie,
      It is a great, easy cake! There are times when "easy" is a necessity. Thank you for dropping by for a visit. Come back anytime. We can have a slice of cake and a cup of coffee on my front porch!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  10. GeorgiaSeptember 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    OMG these pictures. I just cant'. I need cake now!!!

    Also, how much easier is it with a food mixer?!! We got a Kitchen Aid mixer recently and I love it, makes an 'easy' recipe even easier!!

    Lovely post, thanks!! Georgia x

    http://thepescetarianpantry.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 5, 2013 at 5:56 PM

      I have been wanting a Kitchen Aid RED mixer for the longest. I have a nice mixer, so it would be a waste just to purchase the beautiful, RED mixer. BUT, it would look great in my kitchen! This is a delicious and easy cake. Since I piqued your interest, you should make one this weekend:) Thanks for dropping by!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  11. Buttercup BlissSeptember 5, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    Looks delicious!!! I think it would be perfect with our afternoon coffee.... really soon!!! Don't you think that is a great idea??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 8, 2013 at 9:49 PM

      That would be a great idea! I will have to work on that!

      Delete
  12. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    The page in your cookbook made me smile. I have pages in mine that look like that. I'm sure that this cake is delicious and that so many chocolate lovers would 'die' for a piece of this cake. Can you believe that I am a white cake lover? No chocolate cake for me. lol! Oh, I can handle a small piece of German chocolate. Love the frosting! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsSeptember 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM

      Hi Jann! We share something in common...I don't like chocolate cake either. In fact, I don't like chocolate at all. My only exception would be hot cocoa. I also love white cake, minus any frosting! Thanks for stopping by.
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I had planned to share my new front door decor, but alas, like many residents of the MS Gulf Coast, all  loose outside objects have been secured as we await the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Instead, I thought I would share with you a set of my favorite dinnerware.  I began collecting Memory Lane ironstone many years ago, but my love of the pattern began when I was just a little girl.  My Grandma Mercer had one dinner plate.  I imagine that she picked it up either in a box of laundry soap or as a reward for shopping at the IGA of Chattahoochee, Florida.  I came to love her one plate.  My grandmother would make sure that my food was served on that plate no matter what other dinnerware pattern was set on her table!  When she passed away, I was blessed to receive her dining room set which included a lovely buffet with glass knobs along with the matching table and chairs.  I also received my Memory Lane plate. During my search for more pattern pieces...
35 comments
Read more

Quarantine Reno: The Butler's Pantry/Laundry Room

Good morning everyone! I wanted to share with you a major renovation which Mr. Still Woods and I accomplished during the quarantine. I have been feeling a huge push to simplify not only my life, but our home as well.  I started with reorganizing room by room and donating items we no longer use. After that was accomplished, I began thinking. My husband says that my thinking is always dangerous and usually means a lot of work for him! So let me tell you how this all started.  I have a large pantry in the kitchen with pull out drawers and deep shelves. While it holds tons of pantry items, I was always complaining because items tend to meander to the back of the shelves. When you need a flashlight to see what's in your pantry, you know its too large.  So I decided that I wanted to relocate our pantry into a free standing, shallow unit.  We sat down and drew up a plan we were both happy with.  As with most plans, our plan got altered along the way.  What was to ...
7 comments
Read more

Patriotic Tablescapes

I was perusing the internet for a little 4th of July tablescape inspiration.  Wow...are there some wonderful ideas for any Yankee Doodle Dandy table.  Let's take a look! I love the blog Between Naps on the Porch.  She has a gift for setting a beautiful table.  This one is set with solids of red, white, and blue.  The tall lanterns also lend a patriotic flair and really make the setting cozy. I love the entire setting in this photo from The Gathering of Friends.  The house and yard phtograph beautifully.  Those red chairs really pop! Looks like a great place to entertain and watch fireworks. Tampa Homebody has incorporated some of my favorite glassware into her table setting.  American Fostoria and blue Cape Cod glass make this a festive display. Doesn't this make you want to pull up a chair?  The centerpiece is simple, but quite lovely.  I am crazy about checkered prints.  Super cute from Stone Gable! This is just prec...
10 comments
Read more