Monday, July 21, 2014

Wellesley Fudge Cake circa 1898

I got this recipe off a Baker's chocolate bar probably 35 years ago. I haven't made it for ages, but did so for Margaret's 32nd birthday (yesterday) cake. It is really rich and delicious!

Wellesley Fudge Cake  circa 1898

4 squares Baker's unsweetened chocolate (I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet) 4 squares = 4 ounces
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Heat chocolate with hot water over very low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth.
Add 1/2 cup sugar. Cook and stir another 2 minutes.
Cool to lukewarm and add vanilla.

Sift flour, soda, and salt.

Cream butter (I used KitchenAid mixer)
Gradually beat in the sugar until fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Add flour mixture and milk alternately.
Blend in chocolate mixture.

Pour into 2 greased 9-inch layer pans. I used 9x13 inch pan.
Bake in preheated 350º oven for 30-35 minutes, or until cake tests done.
Cool 10 minutes, remove from pan (only if you are using the 9-inch pans - otherwise just leave in the 9x13)

When cool, frost with:
Classic Fudge Frosting

Melt 4 squares chocolate (again, I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet because it is what I had in the house) with 2 Tablespoons butter over very low heat.
Combine 4 cups unsifted confectioners sugar, a dash of salt, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Add cooled chocolate mixture. Blend well.
Spread over cake.




Hazel Nina had a lick of frosting - her first family birthday party since she was born


And she wouldn't have minded a little more as she stares at someone's plate

13 comments:

  1. Love those good old -fashioned recipes. thanks for sharing. Hazel is getting big.

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  2. That sounds like a yummy cake recipe. Hazel Nina is really getting big and so cute. I love the sidebar photo of you holding both the grans. Happy Birthday to Margaret!

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    1. It is a great recipe! I was in grammy heaven holding those two! Thank you for the birthday wishes, and yes she is getting big!

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  3. My goodness, that baby is GORGEOUS! (Both babies are. Love your pictures - thank you for sharing the joys of grandbabies with us. )

    Nothing to do with cake or grandbabies (or perhaps everything to do with them!):

    I don't usually play the awards game, but in this case it felt appropriate. I've nominated you for the

    Very Inspiring Blogger Award

    http://leavesandpages.com/2014/07/22/what-a-nice-surprise-ive-been-nominated-as-a-very-inspiring-blogger-and-invited-to-pass-it-along-here-we-go/

    Thank you for your ongoing inspiration!

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  4. Yummmmm I am going to have to go find some chocolate to eat. Happy Birthday...

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  5. Oh she is one smart baby girl, she knows good chocolate!

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  6. Yumm!! You'll see, once she's old enough to speak, she'll ask for the very same cake from you for her own birthdays :-)

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  7. Oh my
    looks so good.
    My youngest daughter's birthday in August
    and she has requested a choclate sheet cake
    I have made for 40 years :)
    Love your little one
    and these times are wonderful :)

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  8. Can you send me some. If I make it I'm likely to eat the whole thing!!!!
    Ann

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  9. Look at that big girl sitting up! Adorable! The cake looks quite yummy. I haven't baked in ages! Happy birthday to your girl!

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  10. She is sitting up! How time flies. (And she wants more frosting!). What a lovely family gathering ... Hazel has so much to look forward to!

    We are in Deadhorse (basically the end of the world!) and were shocked to find out that we had an internet connection. Totally unexpected. So I am taking the opportunity to visit my favorite bloggers (or as many as I can before I fall asleep after a busy travel day). Catch up with you when we get back to civilization!

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  11. That cake looks delicious, Nan. I love a good slice of chocolate cake - nothing like it. :) Belated Happy Birthday, Margaret. Little Hazel Nina looks like an adorable imp. I'll bet she would have loved to smear that frosting all over, while tasting it of course. :)

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