Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Crazy Cooking Challenge: Chocolate Cake


I came across the Crazy Cooking Challenge group during my Interweb travels last month, and since February's theme was "Chocolate Cake" I decided it would be a mighty fine time to join in on the fun!  The Crazy Cooking Challenge is headed up by Tina over at Moms Crazy Cooking.  The premise is simple:  every month a theme recipe is selected, and everyone who wants to participate must scour the web looking for a version of that recipe to make.  The catch:  the recipe must be new to the blogger and must come from another blog...but NOT from a famous person's blog (i.e., Pioneer Woman, Paula Deen, etc.).  Then everyone sets their posts to publish at the same time on the same day!  Pretty neat, huh?  The goal of the Crazy Cooking Challenge is sharing--hopefully getting others to visit the blog you got the recipe from as well as your blog.  What a fun way to get new visitors!  For more info on how it works or to join up for next month, please visit Moms Crazy Cooking HERE.

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Alright..now on to the cake!

This recipe comes from the lovely Amanda of Kevin & Amanda.  It's got lots of rave reviews, and for good reason.  This is one tasty cake--the perfect partner for that tall glass of cold milk!  When you go visit Amanda's blog, be sure to check out her main page as well as the recipes section.  As of this writing, it seems that the "Recipes" section is not getting updated regularly, but Amanda is still posting recipes within the main page of her blog.  While you're there be sure to check out her Free Fonts page!   

Recipe Notes:
  • My cake isn't as photogenic as Amanda's or others I've seen online.  I think I over beat my cake batter.  The recipe doesn't really state how long to mix the batter, so I followed the instructions on the box (30 seconds on low followed by 2 minutes on medium).  This probably lightened the batter too much, causing its structure to collapse upon cooling.  Underbaking was not the culprit here; the cake was clearly "done" when removed from the oven.  We didn't mind the denser texture though--we just called it brownie cake!
  • You can make the frosting with butter instead of shortening if you wish, but Amanda says she's tried it with all butter and half butter/half shortening...and still prefers the version made with all shortening!


The Best Chocolate Cake Ever
Recipe by Amanda, found HERE

1 box (18.25 oz) Devil's Food Cake Mix 
1 box (3.3 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups (12 oz. pkg) mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans or coat with nonstick spray.  In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips.  Batter will be thick.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Divide batter between cake pans and spread in an even layer.  Bake at 350°F for approximately 45 minutes.  Cool completely before frosting with buttercream frosting (recipe follows).


Buttercream Frosting
Recipe by Amanda, found HERE

1 cup Crisco® shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup heavy cream

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening until fluffy.  Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended.  Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream.  Blend on low speed until moistened.  Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.


Hungry for more?  Be sure to check out all the other entries in this month's Crazy Cooking Challenge!  You're sure to find that perfect chocolate cake recipe to make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day!



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16 comments:

  1. I like a dense cake like that...looks delicious!

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  2. Looks wonderful, I like the idea of having a cake mix to use once in a while. I will have to keep this recipe for that time. Andi

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  3. Love the idea of brownie cake! I've never had butter cream without the butter. I'll have to try that...how about the butter flavored crisco, have you tried using it? (Visiting from the CCC...I'm #60)

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    1. I've never tried using the butter flavored Crisco in a frosting before, but I have used it in baking. Not too sure about how it would taste, because to me it has a really strong artifical butter smell that I don't care for. But then again I have a hard time stomaching butter extract, movie theatre popcorn, and most microwave popcorn aromas!

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  4. This is the same recipe I used. I have seen it a couple times throughout the challenge, but I agree that it is the best cake ever! Yours looks beautiful!

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  5. Looks so dark and delicious and I bet it was super moist with the sour cream & pudding mix.

    If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Crazy Cooking Challenge entry: Double Chocolate Meyer Lemon Mousse Cake

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  6. Your cake looks wonderful! I love a chocolate cake with a white frosting, that is such a great combination. It was my first time on for the cooking challenge too, it was a lot of fun.

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  7. This looks good none the less. I say cake is cake. If it's not perfect it's still a day with cake. I love the blog you choose.

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  8. this cake looks so good! and I can tell it is.. i have never used crisco before..kind of worried about the fat..but I love the way this looks..and really..it IS cake!! I am going to try this recipe for a party on Sat...I am getting braver.
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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    1. Hello! You can use butter instead of Crisco if you prefer. The frosting will be a bit softer and off-white instead of white, but really...you can't beat the taste of real butter! I just made the recipe "as is" because I had Crisco in the pantry!

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  9. I just love a great Chocolate Cake like yours with a Buttercream frosting, it looks delicious! Thanks for sharing and hope you have a wonderful week!
    Miz Helen
    #7

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  10. We're both new Crazy Cooks this month. :) I would love a brownie cake!

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  11. This sounds like a great 'go-to' cake. Welcome to the group!!

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  12. Easy and Simple recipe! What can I ask for but a plate of that scrumptious delight! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! Have a happy evening!

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  13. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking Forward to Another Great article. Good luck to the Author! All the best.

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