take my word for it wednesday.. poppi is 72 and we had grandmommy's miracle whip chocolate cake with fudge frosting to celebrate...

i've mentioned a time or two my paternal grandmother, aka grandmommy was an amazing cook.. i have posted some of her recipes here grandmommy's recipes.. and will be posting more very soon.. i was fortunate enough to be raised around {my mom, mommabell and grandmommy} and then to marry into a family of amazing cooks! grandmommy could do things with jello that were crazy but good.. she was a chocoholic {that's where i got it from} and was always coming up with new and decadent desserts.. the history of this cake is unknown and we don't know when she first made it.. all we know is no one can remember a time, even my dad, when she didn't make it.. she made it for birthdays, anniversary's, good grades on your report card.. pretty much if there was an occasion this cake got made.. and sometimes the occasion was she was just in the mood.. i have been for several years now trying to perfect the recipe and make it "just like grandmommy" it's not a hard recipe. the cake part is so simple you will never buy a box cake again.. the fudge frosting however is a little tricky.. and by that i mean you have to be patient, which apparently i never was until now.. if your patient and let the "fudge" do it's thing it will turn out perfectly chocolaty and wonderful.. she actually would ice the cake with her christmas fudge recipe it's the darnedest thing and it's the best tasting thing.. i think if i had to pick just one food item that was my favorite of all time.. over everything else..it would have to be this cake and frosting.. hands down..

the cake unfrosted is still perfectly good and wonderful to eat.. i like to keep it in the fridge and serve it cold.. it's so dense.. and chocolaty.. no frosting is even needed

 

 myabe not needed but soo appreciated.. the frosting is kinda hard and gets a "crunchy" texture.. i know that sounds funny but try it i promise you will love it.. but be sure to have a cold glass of milk on hand.. i am the first to admit i am not a baker.. but the cake recipe is so easy anyone can make it.. the frosting a tad bit harder but i am going to give you my tips as i did them and hopefully yours will come out perfect too..

grandmommy's miracle whip cake

prep time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 30 minutes

servings: 9 by 13" casserole dish

ingredients:

1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
6 tbsp. cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup miracle whip
1 cup warm water (make sure it's warm)
1 tsp. vanilla

sift dry ingredients together then add miracle whip, water and vanilla. combine all ingredients until mixed well. pour into greased {i sprayed with pam} 9 by 13' casserole dish and bake for 28-30 minutes in a 350 (f) degree oven.  remove when done and allow to cool before adding your frosting..{the reason she always baked it in a casserole dish is when you pour the fudge frosting over the top it seeps down the side settles on the bottom and forms a nice layer on top so you have frosting on the bottom and top.. aahhhhmmmaazing}

i have made this cake a few times with different frosting's like this time with vanilla butter cream frosting.. i recently made it poked holes it and topped it with a cream cheese and whipped cream frosting  then drizzled with chocolate ganach and caramel.. {recipe to be posted soon} the cake recipe itself is so versatile and so easy you must make it!!

grandmommy's fudge frosting

prep time: 5 minutes
cooking time: 25 minutes
servings: will frost one 9 by 13" cake

ingredients:

4 cups sugar {i used powdered sugar}
6 heaping tblsp. of cocoa
1 cup milk
1 stick of butter

in a medium pot over medium heat cook sugar, cocoa and milk for about 17 minutes, constantly whisking.. after 17 minutes it should be slowly boiling.. continue to whisk.. for 3 minutes.. add butter and incorporate, all the while whisking.. then for 3 minutes allow to cook without whisking.. turn heat off and allow to cool, i waited 13 minutes..then beat until thick.. {you can use a hand mixer or whisk} pour over cake and put in the fridge until ready to serve... needs at least 2-3 hours to set before serving..

happy birthday poppi

all the grand kids.. wishing poppi happy birthday..

just the boys!! no picture of just the girls :(

ollie helping poppi blow out his candles.. ollie will 4 years old in a few weeks..and won't let you forget it.. i {heart} this kid!!

enjoy and get cook'n!!