On the Road Again, Plus: Cake!
Well, the Colorado interlude is drawing to a close, and this morning the bairns and I will hit the open road again. Next stop: Somewhere, New Mexico.
But before I leave my mother's kitchen, she said I could share the My Favorite Cake recipe with you. So now you'll all know what to make me next time I visit. (Kidding! You don't have to!)
(Cherry cobbler will be just fine!)
(Or pie!)
(Or that thing people make that has chocolate cake and pudding and whipped cream all in one big gloppy bowl, whatever it's called. That's always a fine choice.)
(But I digress.)
Rocky Road Sheet Cake
Sift together: 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa.
In saucepan, combine 1 cup cold water, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup butter. Bring to boil and pour over dry ingredients. Beat until creamy. Add 1/2 cup buttermilk (only I'm pretty sure Mom just uses regular milk), 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 2 eggs. Beat well. Bake in greased sheet pan (one of those big old cookie sheets, not a cake pan) at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.
Frosting:
Melt 1/2 cup butter and stir in 1/4 cup cocoa. Then stir in 1 lb. powdered sugar. Yes, one whole pound. Hush. Add 1/3 cup milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and stir until creamy. Fold in 1/4 cup chopped pecans (I think my mom uses more than that, YUM) and, if you must, 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows cut in half. Personally, I'd think the marshmallows would make it too sweet. But it's your cake; do what you like.
Okay, there's my contribution to world happiness today. Now I have to go finish packing up. It's always the socks that get you, you know? I think we've left a trail of socks all the way across the country. There are at least six mateless socks in my bag now. I guess we can keep them as spares in the car so we won't get kicked out of any more McD's Playplaces. Did I tell you that story? Apparently you're not allowed in with bare feet anymore. They are very strict about that rule in Indiana, just so you know.
I have personal experience with that rule in Indiana. Just so you know it's not just you.
Posted by: MamaLynx | October 15, 2006 at 09:02 AM
I was just thinking "now I know what to serve Lissa next time she comes to visit" and then I finished reading your blog post! Ah well, maybe if you know what we'll eat, you'll come sooner....
Blessings and a safe rest of the trip (and a quick and safe connection with dh!)
Posted by: Mary G | October 15, 2006 at 09:56 AM
Thank you! I was going to ask you for the recipe because Richard's B-day is next week. Then he told me he doesn't like chocolate cake (he must've been switched in the hospital!) I think I'll make it for the grownups, beecause we're all on diets and if we're gonna splurge, it's gotta be good! Next time you're ANYWHERE near Maine, I'll make you the cake AND homemade lasagne and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (can't promise chocolates on your pillow, though...maybe old bits of tootsie roll...)
Love:
Mary Beth
Posted by: Mary Beth P | October 15, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Lissa,
I grew up on Rocky Road Sheet Cake. I'll have to get my mom's recipe and compare. :)
She never put marshmallows in her's though. And my children have a "thing" about nuts in their cookies and cakes. So I might have to do one half of the cake with nuts and one half without. I personally love the nuts.
Btw, we stopped at a McD's last week while on a field trip. My girls ran around barefoot in the playground. Yes, the thought makes me shudder but how can I deny them the pleasure?
We didn't get kicked out but had I only known that it was a possibility.
Posted by: Cay in La. | October 15, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Thank your mother profusely for me! We have an extremely important birthday to celebrate here this week, and this just might be on the table for it!
Posted by: Alice | October 15, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Oohhh... sounds yummy! (Wandering away to see if there are any miniature marshmallows that survived rice crispie treats the other night)
...drool....
Posted by: bella | October 15, 2006 at 05:53 PM
Yeah, New Mexico!!!
Thanks so much (and please thank your mom!) for sharing the cake recipe. I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Melissa | October 15, 2006 at 07:19 PM
Ooooh, thank you. Tell your mother I like her very, very much.
Posted by: Karen E. | October 15, 2006 at 07:28 PM
Thanks for the recipe and for leaving in the marshmallows! : ) Too sweet?? Never!!
Posted by: Amy | October 16, 2006 at 10:56 AM
That dessert in the dish with cake and pudding? We like Homegirl's recipe for it, Cheatin' Chocolate Trifle, and the recipe's here: http://www.recipezaar.com/136251 . I think that name sounds like a bad country song, but it's a wonderful dessert, especially if you give the cake and pudding and whipped cream time to get to know each other before you serve it. A little chocolate grated on top is nice too.
Posted by: Mama Squirrel | October 18, 2006 at 10:03 AM
Oh, a P.S. on that: Homegirl says you have to use the cook-type pudding mix, but I have made it with instant pudding and it works just fine.
Posted by: Mama Squirrel | October 18, 2006 at 10:05 AM