Hyde Park Fudge Cake

I mentioned making this cake for Thanksgiving on twitter earlier, some of you showed interest in it. So here it is for your chocolate loving delight! This is a recipe is from a local bakery here in Austin, this cake has been requested for many birthdays and family gatherings.

Cake
5 1/3 oz unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2/3 cup all-vegetable shortening
2 3/4 cups sugar
2 2/3 eggs*
3 cups flour
1 1/3 cups water
1 1/3 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/3 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 teaspoons salt
Bunt Pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the chocolate with the shortening. Combine all liquid ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly so the flour will not clump in the batter. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients blending on low speed with a mixer until well mixed scrape the sides of the bowl well. Pour mixture into a greased bunt pan. Bake until done about 50 to 65 min. Let cake cool in pan for 30 min. Turn out on cake rack and glaze with icing.

Icing
3/4 cup granulate sugar
6 tablespoons evaporated milk
3 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 tablespoons butter (not margarine)

While cake is cooling, in top of double boiler heat sugar with milk until the sugar is dissolved. ( The mixture will not feel grainy when rubbed between fingers) When sugar is dissolved combine with chocolate and butter, which have been melted together. You can 1 to 2 teaspoons of hot water to the icing to add to the sheen. Pour icing over the cake.

* the recipe does call for some interesting measurements, that's because was broken down for home use. the recipe recommends using 3 small or medium eggs instead of rounds up to 3 large eggs.

Thanksgiving

I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It's time for friends and family to gather together with out having to worry about the presents like at Christmas. We get a chance to look back on the past year and discover all the things we are thankful for. I also love the holiday because of the food! This girl likes to eat and I always look forward to the yummy food that we have for Thanksgiving lunch ( this family doesn't even wait around until dinner). There are some recipes that are must haves at our Thanksgiving meals. The one thing we always have to serve is my grandma's Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole . Someone suggested that we have a different broccoli casserole recipe , let's just say there was a slight uproar. Let's just say we will be having that recipe this year. Other recipes on this years menu:

Turkey with Dressing and Gravy
Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
Sweet Potato Casserole
Spicey Green Beans
Dinner Rolls

Desserts
Hyde Park Fudge Cake
Toffee Coffee Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake

What are some most have recipes at your house? Do you do something out of the ordinary and not even serve a turkey?

Maddie

Where do I begin? Today should be your 2nd birthday , today you should be in the arms of your family , today your legions of fans should be anxiously awaiting a picture of the birthday girl. Today is not what it should be, it is so different that anyone could have ever imagined. Heather, Mike, Grandma, Bampa and many others you are all are in my thoughts and in my heart today and always.

I wish there was more that I could say or do to my make this day any easier for those who love you. All I can do is share your story with all those I know. I can laugh and cry while I remember the life of a brilliant girl with my group of friends who also fell under the Maddie charm.

Maddie you are truly missed by so many , you are a light that will always shine bright in so many lives. Happy Birthday sweet Maddie, Happy Birthday.


Please consider making a donation in honor of Maddie's birthday to Friends of Maddie.