Moist Mocha Cake

Sunday dinners with my family have always been hearty. Raviolis, meatballs & sausages. Honey-roasted ham, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables. Beef Stew with a hunk of french bread.

Today, after another carbo-load meal, I was craving a sweet, equally rib-sticking, sweet finale. Chocolate. Coffee. More Chocolate. I was aiming to create a Mocha Monstrosity....and create, I did.

 

 

Moist Mocha Cake 

(Adapted from Betty Crocker's Mocha Muffins Recipe )

 

2 C. Flour

2 Tbsp. Unsweetened Baking Cocoa

2 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp. Salt

1/3 C. Brown Sugar

1 C. Milk

1/3 C. Vegetable Oil

1 Tbsp. Instant Coffee Grains

1/2 C. Plain (or Vanilla) Yogurt

1 Egg

1/2 C.  Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 C. Milk Chocolate Chunks

*Extra 1/2 C. Milk Chocolate for drizzle

Recipe continued after the break...

 

Calories Don't Count on Your Birthday

I have a confession to make.

Yes, I am one of those people that LOVES to celebrate birthdays - not just my own, but my family's, friends', peers. If there's a birthday, I have to know about it. Birthdays to me are incredibly special & significant. It's a time where you can look back on the last year and see how you've grown, how life is changed, reflect on lessons you've learned and appreciate the good that has resulted from the last year's worth of experiences.

My birthday was this week and I must say - it is the only thing I still look forward to with childlike giddiness & joy. I can't wait to be surrounded by the people that I care most about & to celebrate in my favorite way possible - over a lovely piece of cake.

And for my birthday, there is only one kind that is acceptable: white cake with white frosting and flowers - lots of flowers.

My bakery of choice? Fratelli's Pastry Shop in Quincy, MA. They crafted the beautiful cake above!

Let me tell you - it was amazing - moist, flavorful, just the right amount of frosting & sinfully sweet. If I was issued only one meal for the rest of my life, it might just have to be this cake.