Monday, October 05, 2009

Foods of Durham Past: Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

I know, it looks like a I took a picture of a crumb doesn't it? This teensy portion pictured here is Carri's from last night when I got home. I wouldn't let her eat it until I got a good photograph for the blog. She kept asking "Can I eat my cake yet?" So I thank her for her patience.

My mom asked me to make this cake for dessert last night (she had guests over for dinner). I'm going to give the same speech that I gave to my dad and brother. Here is what I think makes this cake so good: it's not too sweet. Granted, I usually cut out some of the sugar in most cakes and desserts these days, but even before I started making that adjustment, it wasn't too sweet. Carter loved it and was asking what I did different because it didn't taste the same as when Mom made it. He thought I added less oatmeal. Nope. Less sugar. And I used dark chocolate Hershey's cocoa instead of regular (I was so happy when I discovered there was such a thing).

I like tasting the flavor of my dessert, rather than simply tasting sweetness. Some things I can't enjoy because it just tastes like sugar to me: napoleons, white frosting, pixie sticks, most hard candy.

Anyway, this dessert has a great flavor and texture. There's no need for frosting because you get richness from the tons of giant chocolate chips you put in it (actually, I bought "giant" chocolate chips for the first time and I think it really worked for this recipe).

I had a piece for breakfast. And after my lunch. And after work.

This recipe will be around for a long time. And I recommend the dark chocolate cocoa powder (if you like dark chocolate). First time I used it. I'll send you the recipe if you want it.

I'm not even going to answer the 3 standard questions because I think it's fairly obvious.

This was going to be one of my last Durham Food posts, but I've had a couple requests so I'll do a few more. Carter can't believe that I haven't made chocolate eclair cake yet. It was a favorite growing up, but ever since I became a grown up, I can't do it. It's too sweet. So if I'm going to make that I'm going to need 8-12 people to come eat it for me. You're welcome to volunteer.

9 comments:

Josiah said...

Ooo, Ooo, pick me, pick me! I volunteer to come eat some cake

leandparkermakes3 said...

I NEED this recipe! It looks delicious!

Ang said...

Will you post the recipe!?!? Looks delicious.

carter said...

(hand raised)

SRA said...

I'd like this recipe. And I'd also like to volunteer to help you eat the chocolate eclair cake. I can't imagine how amazing it is.

Ilene said...

You know a dessert is good when you want it for breakfast.

Yum-o.

carter said...

...and lunch. And dinner. And oxygen.

Laura Lee said...

Here is the recipe!

1 ¾ cups boiling water
1 cup oats
½ cup shortening or margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp cocoa
12 oz chocolate chips

Combine boiling water and oats. Add margarine, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, salt, soda and cocoa. Stir in half of chocolate chips. Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Just so you know, this is the recipe before I cut out sugar. When I made it I put 3/4 cup of each brown and white sugar.

John and Suzi said...

you are such a good little cook...and you know how to tweak ingredients to your liking...less sugar is good, dark chocolate is good, big choco chips....Mmmmm Mmmmm good ! thanks for the recipe!