Recipe of the week- Chocolate Yum Yum Cake

I'm still trying to get that buttermilk in my fridge used up! This recipe was passed down from my dad's mom to my mother and it always brings back memories of my childhood. When I asked my mom for the recipe so I could copy it she handed me this wrinkled up, grease stained piece of green paper with the recipe hand written on it that looked like it had been to hell and back. That's when you know it's a good recipe! It even uses words like oleo (for butter). My mom used to only put pecans in half of the icing on half of the cake and leave the other half plain because I hated pecans (it was mainly a texture thing) when I was little. I like pecans now but I still prefer my icing plain and smooth.

This cake has an amazing texture that melts in your mouth and has just the right amount of chocolate flavor. I like chocolate but I'm not a death by chocolate kind of girl so this cake is perfect for me. You could always add more cocoa powder if you prefer a stronger chocolate flavor. Also, the recipe calls for shortening but you can substitute lard. Real lard, not the hydrogenated stuff from the store, is actually much healthier for you than shortening.

Chocolate Yum Yum Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening or lard
4 Tbs cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease and flour 11x17" (jelly roll) pan. 
• Sift flour and sugar in a large bowl. 
• Put butter, shortening, cocoa, and water in a pan and bring to a boil. After it has reached boiling, pour the mixture in with the flour and sugar and mix. 
• Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly and pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Icing

1 stick butter

4 Tbs cocoa powder

1/3 cup milk

1 box (16oz) powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

• Bring butter, cocoa, and milk to a boil. 
• Remove from heat and mix in vanilla, powdered sugar, and nuts.
• Spread over warm cake.  

Now, I never claimed that this cake was healthy! But I promise, it's one of those southern comfort desserts that will put a smile on your face and make you feel like you're back at Grandma's house : ) P.S. Don't forget your glass of milk!

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