It can’t decide if it wants to be Winter or Spring here in St. Louis. One day it’s in the 20’s and the next day it’s in the 60’s. Our two cats don’t understand why it’s ok to be let out on the screen porch one day, and not ok the next. (Did I ever tell you about the bell on the back door? When we got our dog as a puppy, someone told me to hang a bell on the back door and teach the dog to ring it whenever she needed to go out. It was GREAT advice, and Casey quickly learned to do just that. No matter where we were in the house, we could hear it and knew that she wanted to be let out. Then the dog apparently taught that to the cat. After we’d had Zoe for about 2 weeks, I was in the kitchen and watched her walk to the back door. She reached up and swatted the bell and then turned around and looked at me expectantly, waiting to be let out. Cracked me up! She still uses that method regularly. Gracie, the other cat, has never caught on. Or chooses not to.)
The Elves made dinner for WH and I this week and it was such a nice thing for them to do! (Birthday dinner. Tomorrow is my birthday.) This chocolate cake that Karen contributed to the meal was so good that I asked her if I could share the recipe with all of you. I hope you like it.
Karen’s Chocolate Bliss Cake
1 pkg chocolate cake mix, any variety
1 pkg (4-serving) Jell-O Instant Chocolate Pudding
4 eggs
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 cup flavored coffee, cooled (any variety)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (Karen uses Ghirardelli)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan, or a 10″ tube pan.
Beat all ingredients together on low speed, except the chocolate chips. Beat until just moistened, scraping the bowl often. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and then pour into prepared pan.
Bake 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides with spatula and turn the pan onto a wire rack, easing the cake out gently. Cool completely.
Top with Chocolate Glaze (below) or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries. Serves 12-16.
Chocolate Glaze
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbl. butter or margarine
2 Tbl. corn syrup
1-2 tsp. hot water
Heat chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup over low hear, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted. Cool slightly. Stir in water 1 tsp at a time, until desired consistency. Drizzle over the cake.
Can’t you just imagine how wonderful this smells while it’s baking? I think it’s twice as nice to then give the whole cake away, without even getting to taste it. Thank you again, Karen!
Sheri whospentalldayyesterdaythinkingitwasFriday
GladthatFridayisactuallyherenow.Haveagreatweekend!
Happy Birthday Sheri!!! You mean yesterday wasn’t Friday?…ugh! hehehe…Oh well! Have a great birthday and enjoy bunches of chocolate cake.
Wishing you a Super Duper Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday Sheri! Tomorrow is my boyfriend’s birthday too — I might just have to make him that cake.
Enjoy your birthday!! The cake looks so good, you will definitely enjoy that!
Have a wonderful birthday weekend. Mine is on Tuesday and am planning to take a day off from school and knit!
Paula
Happy Birthday, Sheri!!! I hope you have a day as wonderful as you deserve, but I’m not sure that’s possible.
Maybe all of the critters will ring the bell in celebration of your special day. (I’m of the opinion that Gracie knows, but she chooses not to.)
Have a great weekend.
Happy Birthday Sheri and have a wonderful weekend!!!
Happy Birthday Sheri!!!!!! What is it with the cake all the time??? Are you trying to make me fat LOL. Hey are you getting any spinning done????
Happy Birthday!!! I love birthday’s Enjoy your family. Oh bye the way thanks for the recipe
Happy Birthday Sheri! I hope you have a great day.
Have a wonderful day,Happy Birthday Sheri!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday Sheri! Have a wonderful day. Do something special for yourself…you deserve it.
Happy Birthday, Sheri!!! I hope that you have a wonderful celebration. You deserve it for finding all of these lovely yarns and patterns for us, and beautiful bags to carry them all around in, too!!!
Happy, Happy Day.
Sheri, Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many more!!!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday! That cake looks SO good! Enjoy, enjoy!
Well, you almost missed having you Birthday in the great month of FEB -you me, and Lincoln 🙂
Have a great one!!
Have you ever had a Red velvet cake?? I just made some cupcakes using a red velvet recipe.. OMG, delic!! (has a chocolae base)
that dinner, PRICELESS!!
sherry
Happy Birthday dear daughter.
We were thrilled when you came into the world and we are still thrilled to call you daughter. We love you
Mom and Dad
Oh man, I can’t top your Mother’s post. That brought tears to my eyes. My dogs taught my cat to scratch on the back door too.
Happy, Happy Birthday Sheri!! Make some memories.
Happy BIrthday Sheri:-)
Happy Birthday!!! I can just smell that chocolate cake YUM!!! Have a fun day
Happy Birthday Sherry!!!
LURVE Red Velvet cake!! It’s always my birthday cake!
Happy belated birthday Sherry! We February babies have got to stick together – mine was the 6th! Thank you for all the happiness you bring to others.
Our stores have started carrying a chocolate chip brand called Guittard. They are the same price as the Nestle chips but it’s excellent chocolate and not quite as sweet as the Nestle ones – more chocolate flavor than sugar flavor!
Happy Birthday!
Sherri I hope you had a wonderful birthday.
It’s snow here this morning on the east coast (looks like 6″ so far). I guess I’ll be shoveling for awhile, but maybe if I get it done my package from TLE will be here this afternoon.
Happy Monday!
Happy belated birthday!!!! May you enjoy each day of the coming year as a special gift.
Hope you had a great birthday!
And the cake…It is fabulous! I am not a chocolate cake person, but I really liked this. I knew my husband and DD would like it so I made it for them. Well, DD is in 4-H and wants to make this for her foods. (She needs a simple chocolate cake.) So, that you again for sharing the recipe!
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Our dogs ring a bell to go out too. Our cat makes the young dog ring the bell for her. The young dog also rings the bell anytime she wants me to come play. I’ll go to the door to let her out and she’ll be sitting there, several feet from the door with her ball, looking at me expectantly.
Cake recipe looks great!
Happy Birthday even though it’s late!! My bloglines is acting up. 🙁
Sounds delish! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!