Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Norwegian Chocolate Cake

I don't know why it's Norwegian. I found this in a tattered cookbook called Recipes from Famous Kitchens, and it was offered by Dow Chemical. Come to think of it, I'm unclear exactly what Dow Chemical has to do with either Norway or cakes, but that's to ponder another time.

NORWEGIAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick or 1/4 lb) butter, softened
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 cup boiling water
2 ounces semi sweet chocolate, melted
2 eggs
1/2 cup boiling water (yes, a second half cup)

In a large mixer bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour and baking soda, and add with the buttermilk and the first half cup of boiling water. Beat for 2 minutes. Stir in the melted chocolate, eggs and the second half cup of boiling water, and beat another 2 minutes. Turn into a greased 13x9" baking pan, and bake at 350F for 38 to 43 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cook, then frost with vanilla cream frosting or whatever else you choose.

My kids thought this cake was good, but the level of excitement wasn't such that I'd do this over a chocolate cake that uses cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate. (But, since I'd run out of cocoa powder, I had little choice.) It was, however, nice and moist and crumbly. Just my opinion.

In other news, today is Ryan's 14th birthday. Where did the time go? *sigh* Another birthday cake tonight, but at least the eldest sister is here to decorate this one.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

15 comments:

SissySees said...

Happy birthday, Ryan!!

(Dow and cake. Do tell, if you figure it out.)

Lapdog Creations said...

Happy Birthday Ryan! :)

buffalodick said...

Toxic Waste Chocolate Cake? :)

Diane said...

14 years old - Happy Birthday - enjoy the cake. Diane

pam said...

I don't know about this cake but I made the coffee cake you wrote of last week and it was TO.DIE.FOR!! tx

Happy Birthday Ryan!

tamilyn said...

Happy Birthday! Good sounding cake :)

gMarie said...

How do they grow so fast? Ryan isn't the youngest though - that's Mark, right? Not sure how you keep them all straight!! g

Sue said...

Happy Birthday.

I'll file this one under Dow Chemical Cake.

Mini Baker said...

happy bday! this looks delish!
mini b.

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Pam said...

Happy b-day to Ryan.

I think the cake looks really delicious. I've never used melted chocolate in a cake before only cocoa powder.

Mickle in NZ said...

Belated Happy Birthday, Ryan. I remember my 14th birthday - we spent part of the day at Auckland zoo so I could see all the big cats. We were also all sunburnt from sailing on Auckland Harbour with Mum's brother the day before.

Marjie - confirming molasses or treacle would be the best substitutes for golden syrup.

Paula said...

Happy Birthday to Ryan! So ... does he get a day off from school on his special day? :-)

monica said...

happy birthday - 14 years!! good cake - being Norwegian I sure would love to take the credit...

~~louise~~ said...

Please wish Ryan a Happy 14th Birthday for me.

The cake sounds quite intriguing. I've had chocolate cake on the brain for months now. Not sure about the Dow infusion though. I have a rather odd sort of cookbook published by Lestoil. For some reason, I can never bring myself to actually use it though, LOL...

Thanks for sharing Marjie...