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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! 

Comments

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. It's one of my favorites!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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. 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. 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. That would be a great idea! I will have to work on that!

      Delete
  12. 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. 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

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