Dad loves chocolate chip cookies.
Since I’ve made them for his birthday in the past, I decided to try a recipe I
found for a chocolate chip cake that came from my cousin Lori, who died from
cancer a few years ago. We weren’t close since we never lived in the same area
and only saw each other a handful of times. Her aunt, Sue, (who is also my
second cousin, or first cousin once removed, or whatever works) sent many of
Lori’s recipes in a collection of family favorites she copied for me a few
years ago. In some ways, I feel like I get a better picture of who Lori was
through the recipes she enjoyed.
However, there was one problem with this particular recipe: I only had half. The front of the recipe card was copied, but not the back. So I had to wing it!
After reading the ingredients, I
decided to make this a bundt cake and create a chocolate glaze to go on top.
Walnuts were listed in the recipe, but not added to the batter. My guess is
they were sprinkled on top of the cake, either before it was baked, or afterwards
on melted chocolate. Since Dad likes nuts in his cookies, I put them in the
batter.
Everyone enjoyed the finished cake.
It’s rich and dense, so small slices are best. (Serious chocoholics can always
have seconds!)
Dad, my nephew, Nick, and The Picky Eater waiting for Dad to blow out his candles. I love this photo, even though it is slightly blurred.
Dad with his cake in the farmhouse kitchen. Happy Birthday, Dad! Glad you liked the cake.
Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with
Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze
For cake:
1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal (not quick or instant)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For glaze:
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate,
chopped into pieces3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 to 4 tablespoons boiling water (or hot coffee)
1 teaspoon vanilla
To make the cake, preheat the oven
to 350 degrees F. Coat a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Place the oatmeal and boiling water
into the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. In another bowl,
whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Once the oatmeal has absorbed
almost all of the water, add the sugars and butter. Mix until the butter is
melted and combined. Mix in the eggs one at a time until well combined. Slowly
add in the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Remove the bowl from the
mixer and hand-stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using).
Pour the batter into the prepared
bundt pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out with
just a few crumbs on it. Allow the pan to cool for 5 minutes, and then turn the
cake onto a rack to cool completely.
For the glaze, place the chopped
chocolate and butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Zap on high in the microwave
in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate and butter
are just completely melted and combined. (Mine took 1 minute total.) Add the
sifted powder sugar and enough boiling water to get a pourable consistency.
Whisk in the vanilla.
Spoon the glaze over the top of the
completely-cooled cake, allowing it to flow down the sides. Use as much or as
little as you like—I didn’t use all of it. The remainder would taste great on
ice cream! Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes to harden a bit. Ready to serve!
Gorgeous cake for a handsome old dude! It's always special, isn't it, when you make something special for your dad? I always make my dad a pie for his birthday. I am so impressed that you just flew by the seat of your pants on the recipe! Good work, girl! The results looks scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteLucky Dad! the cake looks and sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteMary x
Ooooo! This cake looks so gorgeous! Sharing recipes with family just preserves your family history! Such a wonderful thing to keep your cousins memory alive!
ReplyDelete