Sights and Tastes of Home

A fire in the fireplace to ward off the chill in the air

Deer in the yard

Snow flurries as we left this morning

Cinnamon Rolls

Mom's Famous Chocolate Cake

From my Sister Lois' Blog:

Saturday, April 01, 2006
Mom's Chocolate Cake

In my home community in western Maryland and among those in my extended family, Miriam's Chocolate Cake is well known and brings a pretty penny at MCC auctions. Everyone says, "no one can make it like Miriam makes it," and I think they're right. But I try anyway. Here's her recipe, so take on the challenge and give it a try yourself!

Mom's Chocolate Cake

1/2 cup butter
1-3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup cocoa
2-1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour milk
1-1/4 cup hot water
1-1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa, and salt, then add sour milk and mix well. Dissolve soda in hot water and add to mixture. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until it springs back when lightly pressed with finger.


Mom's Chocolate Icing

3-1/2 cups Domino brand granulated sugar
3-1/2 tablespoons Hershey's cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half

Mix all ingredients except vanilla. Bring to a full rolling boil and continue to boil for about 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when drips of icing hold together and form a soft ball when dripped into a cup of cold water. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Set the pan in a bath of cold water bath. Be careful not to let any water get into the pan. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the water bath and beat the chocolate slowly until it begins to lose its shiny gloss. Quickly spread on top of the cake before the icing hardens.

For this one truth I am eternally grateful: You're never too old to lick the beaters!