Rainy day -> comfort food -> CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!

Another cold, rainy day encourages the desire for some comfort food. How about some of our favorite chocolate cake recipes?

Chocolate Macaroon Bundt Cake

• 2 c. flour
• 1 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. cocoa
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. soda
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 c. cold water
• 1/2 c. sour cream or plain yogurt
• 3 eggs
• 1 egg yolk (reserve the egg white for the filling)
• 1/2 c. butter or margarine

Macaroon filling:

• 1 egg white
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 c. flaked coconut
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla

In small bowl beat egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in the rest of ingredients by hand.

In large bowl, combine all ingredients for the cake, beating at low speed until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. Pour 1/2 batter into greased and floured bundt cake pan. Drop spoonfuls of coconut filling over the batter, then pour rest of cake batter on top. Bake at 350 for 55 to 65 minutes or until cake tests done. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes in the pan before removing to a rack and cooling completely. Top with a vanilla or chocolate glaze.


Chocolate Magic Cake

• 1 3/4 c. flour
• 2 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. cocoa
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. strong black coffee
• 1 c. soured milk (put 1 tsp. lemon juice in a 1 cup measure, add milk to equal 1 cup)
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add rest of ingredients and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour into a greased & floured 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes until cake tests done.

We like to frost this with
Chocolate Lover's Frosting

• 3 c. powdered sugar, divided
• 1/2 c. cocoa
• 1/2 c. margarine, softened
• 5 to 6 Tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa, margarine and 2 Tablespoons milk. Beat slowly until mixed well. Add rest of powdered sugar and milk and mix well, then whip at high speed until fluffy and light.


Chocolate Sheet Cake

• 2 c. flour
• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. margarine
• 1 c. water
• 3 Tbsp. baking cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix flour with sugar and salt and set aside. Melt margarine water and cocoa together in a saucepan; bring to a boil then add to flour mixture, beating on low speed until mixed. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Batter will be very thin. Pour into a greased/floured 15 x 10 x 1 inch cookie sheet/jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Sheet cake frosting

• 1 stick margarine
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa
• 3 Tbsp. milk
• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Melt together margarine, cocoa and milk in sauce pan. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and pecans if desired. Pour over hot sheet cake.


Chocolate Zucchini Cake (forget about the zucchini in it, this is great! Hubby's favorite!)

• 1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 c. milk
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1/4 c. cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. cloves
• 2 cups peeled & grated zucchini
• 1/3 c. chocolate chips

Cream margarine, oil and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and milk. Beat until well blended. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in zucchini. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 13 cake pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and bake at 325 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes until cake tests done.

Glaze:

• 1/4 c. margarine
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/3 c. chocolate chips

Melt together in pan, stirring until smooth. Pour over hot cake.


Dad's Favorite Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

• 1/2 c. cocoa
• 2 tsp. soda
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 1/2 c. white sugar
• 1/2 c. margarine or butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together cocoa, soda, and water and let stand. Cream together sugar and shortening and add eggs and beat well. Mix flour and salt and add the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Add the vanilla and the chocolate mixture and beat well with mixer. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan or two 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Let layers cool about 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

• 1/3 c. margarine or butter
• 1/2 c. cocoa
• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• Warm coffee or milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Melt margarine or butter and add cocoa and powdered sugar. Then add enough warm coffee or milk to make it spreading consistency. Add the vanilla and mix well.