Happy Birthday Dad!

Sweet Recipe Saturday

Years ago, I dubbed myself the official birthday dessert maker for my family. I take their request, whatever it may be, and make it from scratch to have the night we celebrate their birthday. The common request in my family is, of course, chocolate. Today's birthday cake was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting served with chocolate ice cream. Even though I gave up chocolate for Lent, I used my "flex day" for the week today so I could join in on the sweet festivities!

Chocolate Birthday Cake

Ingredients
(Cake)
-2 cups flour
-2 cups sugar
-3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
-2 tsp baking powder
-1 1/2 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp coffee grounds
-1 cup milk
-1/2 cup vegetable oil
-2 eggs
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 cup hot water
(Frosting)
-3 1/2 sticks softened butter
-1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-5 cups confectioner's sugar
-1/2 cup milk
-1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 9" cake pans with cooking spray.
2. Using a mixer with the paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and coffee grounds.
3. Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla and mix on medium speed.
4. Slowly add boiling water on low speed until it is all in the mixer, and then beat on medium-high speed for 1min. Mixture will be bubbly.
5. Pour the very liquidy batter into cake pans evenly and bake for 30min.
6. Allow to cool for 15min in pan, then remove and place on cooling rack until completely cooled.
7. Clean out mixer.
8. Combine butter and cocoa together until smooth.
9. Add sugar, milk, and vanilla slowly with the mixer on low speed allowing everything to get thoroughly incorporated.
10. Place one of the cakes onto a cake display dish, then add 2 cups of frosting and evenly spread a thick layer all over the cake.
11. Place the second layer of cake on top of the frosted layer, then add 3 cups of frosting and evenly spread a thick layer over the top of the cake as well as down the sides.

The cake was so moist and flavorful, but it was not overly rich (so don't worry if chocolate-weary). The frosting was very whipped, so it provided a nice and airy compliment to the cake. Even though I loaded it up with frosting, there was still some leftover... Well, I just couldn't let that go to waste, now, could I? Happy Birthday Dad!

*For a lighter frosting, continue mixing on medium-high speed for longer!