Chocolate Spice Cake

This cake is easy to make and very delicious. The "spice" in this cake is cinnamon and coffee, which makes for a unique chocolate cake. I was a little worried that the young nieces and nephews would not like the "spice" aspect of this cake. But, when I recently brought this cake to Mom's it was a hit. So consider making this cake recipe as a way to spice up the standard chocolate cake.

This recipe calls for a 13X9 pan, which makes it easy to take to a party to share with others. But, like all cake recipes, you could easily make this into a good looking layer cake or cupcakes. This cake does not need any frosting, but I decided to give it a standard chocolate icing. Other frostings would be good too, but I really liked the chocolate overload from the chocolate icing.

Chocolate Spice Cake 

• 1 stick butter
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup strong coffee
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients in thirds alternating with buttermilk, coffee and vanilla. Beat until smooth after each addition. Turn into greased 13X9 pan. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes. Allow to cool. Enjoy!

Chocolate Frosting

I know some folks find making frosting to be intimidating. There are some frostings that are a bit more challenging, but this frosting is as easy as could be and quite delicious. Homemade frosting is just so much better than canned frosting. Once you master an easy frosting like this one, go ahead and try the more challenging frostings.

I used this frosting on the Chocolate Spice Cake. It could easily be used on just about any cake. The recipe made enough frosting to easily frost a 13X9 pan cake and would work for a layer cake or other cake sizes. I ended up using electric beaters to get this frosting smooth.

Chocolate Frosting 

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

In a saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat after melting and add cocoa and salt. Stir in milk and vanilla. Put all sugar in a bowl. Add chocolate mixture to sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add one tablespoon more milk, if needed, for good spreading consistency. Frost your favorite cake. Enjoy!

Brownies Americana

Brownies were a mainstay from childhood because they are reliably delicious and so easy to make. This recipe calls for the classic dusting of powdered sugar, which is what Mom most often used. You could frost the brownies, if you want. But for me, a simple dusting of powdered sugar is just right. If you like brownies, you should give this recipe a try.

These brownies are classic cake brownies. This recipe makes an 8x8 pan, but the recipe could easily be doubled to fill a 9x13 pan, if you need more brownies. Mom's recipe calls for the addition of walnuts, but I left them out. I don't know why this recipe is called Brownies Americana. It could be the use of baker's chocolate. Or, maybe it is the walnuts. Maybe, it is just that these brownies are what I think of when I think of brownies. Whatever the reason for the name, the result is delicious.

Brownies Americana 

• 2 squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• confectioner's sugar for dusting

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat; cool slightly. Beat eggs and gradually blend in sugar. Add cooled chocolate; blend well. Add flour, vanilla and salt; stir until blended. Mix in nuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Cool in pan. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar. Enjoy!