We love chocolate! We love to get it, we love to give it! And remember, Valentine’s Day is one week from today. During these somewhat gloomy winter days, what could be better than an easy and delicious chocolate dessert to share with your loved ones? Before we get to the recipe, I wanted to cover a bit of background on the history of chocolate.
Scientists have discovered that chocolate was invented at least 3,100 years ago in Central America and not as the sweet treat people now crave, but as a celebratory beer-like beverage and status symbol. Unfortunately, chocolate languished as this sorry, bitter concoction from about 600 AD until 16th Century Europe when the Spanish began to add cane sugar and flavorings such as vanilla to their sweet cocoa beverages. From this point the French, Swiss, Irish, English and Americans all had a hand in creating the chocolates we know today. All I can say is, Thank You!
We’ve all heard that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. It contains an endorphin called phenylalanine, levels of which in the brain have been linked to falling in love. Chocolate has been used as a gift since the days of the Aztecs and Mayans and was used in marriage and fertility ceremonies. Yes we Love Chocolate! It tastes good and it makes us feel good!
Now it is possible to find several brands of Organic and Free Trade Chocolate available. I always try and use as many organic ingredients in my recipes as possible. I find that the resulting product is tastier and healthier too. If you would like to see some of my favorite organic products, visit my board on Pinterest. So without further ado, here is the recipe.
Double Chocolate Butter Cake
2 cups sugar
5 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 egg, plus 2 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened (neufchatel works well also)
1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Lightly spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) softened butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside. In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of softened butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Do not over-bake the cake; the center should still be slightly soft when finished baking. Let cake partially cool before cutting into pieces. Top with whipped cream or ice cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a little spice.
In the top photo, I wanted a smaller version to serve on a dessert buffet, so I simply scooped out about a heaping tablespoon of the cake and rolled it into a ball. I placed them in muffin papers and set them aside until serving time. When ready to serve, I popped them into the microwave for about
15 seconds and then topped them with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon before
placing on my serving table.
The photo below is how we usually serve it...a big square, with lots of whipped cream!
This is an especially good reward after shoveling snow!
Linked with The Charm of Home
I love butter cake...but chocolate butter cake? Looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, you have to eat it just slightly warm..mmmmm.
DeleteThat's funny that you watch Chocolat before lent! I love that scene where Alford Molina is in the window with all of the chocolate.
ReplyDeleteSherry
That scene is hilarious!
DeleteMmmm, it looks delicious! In Canada, a "double-double" is a cup of Tim Horton's coffee with 2 creams and 2 sugars in it.
ReplyDeleteOh Yum! never had butter cake or chocolate butter cake, this I gotta try...LOL! Love anything chocolate and this looks so good. Thanks for the recipe! :o) Hugs Jennifer
ReplyDeleteWhat a yummy post, if only I had time to make that cake!
ReplyDeleteDelicious post! That cake looks sooooo good. A reward for after shoveling the snow, you say? Well, tomorrow we are expecting a snowstorm and there'll be lots of snow shoveling going on...so...perhaps I should pick up whatever ingredients I'm missing tonight and get going with this treat!
ReplyDeleteYou know what's even better than chocolate? Double chocolate!!! This cake looks and sounds amazing :) I like the idea of being able to make up smaller portion sizes in muffin papers - a very nice serving option.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at chocolate cake but double chocolate ...... yum! I am imagining it warm from the oven, a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with a few drops of Hazelnut Kahlua.
ReplyDeleteYou just gave me the idea of using Nutella in this recipe with chopped hazelnuts! Thanks SQ! I'll start working on the new recipe!
DeleteDear Diane this sounds delicious. What a great idea to make them into smaller portions and serve in muffin papers. Just may have to make this sooner than Valentine's Day (LOL). Thanks for making me hungry - God Bless.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have already shoveled the snow twice and probably tomorrow, I will be shoveling it around 10 times, so, I need a lot of this yummy dessert! ;o))) Looks great Diane, thank you ;o)
ReplyDeleteI just read about the Nutella and chopped hazelnuts!!! Great idea!!!
Yum yum yummy , sweet sweet sweety
ReplyDeleteand so chocolaty
thanks for this mouth watering dessert.
This looks delicious! I never let a day go by without getting my paws on a piece of chocolate - I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love chocolates too! Your recipe looks so yummy. Maybe I'll try that someday. Thanks for sharing the recipe and the history of chocolates.
ReplyDeleteYum! I've been craving chocolate all week now. I think you've inspired me to make a pan of brownies or hot chocolate pudding cake sometime *very* soon!! Your cake sounds delicious too - will have to pick up the ingredients next time I'm at the store.
ReplyDeleteWowness... I loved this gorgeous decadent post..yummy..blissful and beautiful!
ReplyDelete