Making Chocolate Pound Cake for Gifts

This recipe makes a fabulous pound cake that always has the recipient asking for the recipe. Simple and classic, it makes a great gift if made in the smaller loaf size but also an impressive Bundt if you would prefer.

Chocolate butter pound cake;

Cream well in a mixer(hand or stand, Ive used both)

3 sticks unsalted butter

3 cups white sugar

2 tsp real vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Add, one at a time,

5 large eggs

Beat until well blended.

Sift together,

3 cups white all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup good baking cocoa powder.(not ground chocolate or drinking cocoa)

Add these ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with

1 1/4 cups light cream

Beat well.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for the following times.

(1) 10 inch tube.....1 hour 20 min

(2) 9 by 5 loaf pans....1 hour 15 min

(8) mini loaves.......50 min

(12) jumbo muffins....45 min 

Optional Glaze

1 1/2 squares(oz) unsweetened baking chocolate

2 tb butter

confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

in a saucepan melt together butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and add enough sugar to make a thin glaze to pour over cake.

Helpful tips.......

DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ingredients!! It will effect texture and flavor, not in a good way.The only exception is using fat free 1/2 and 1/2 for the cream.

Butter and flour your pans. I use the wrappers from the butter to grease my pans.Let items cool a 1/2 hour and then remove. If they cool completely they will only come out with a spoon.If doing the jumbo muffins I use paper cups.

Butter and eggs should be close to room temperature.I take them out when I preheat the oven before I start.

Have fun and enjoy!

My Family's Favorite Granola Bars

Over the years I have experimented with what seems like a hundred different recipes. A couple of years ago I found this one for soft granola bars that are alot like the ones you buy. You can customize them a few different ways. My kids adore them for snacks, lunch boxes, and middle of the night gaming sessions.

This recipe does use a cake mix. I personally don't buy them, I make my own and it works fab. Check the options note for conversion. Yes,Yes, I'll post my cake mix recipes later for those of you who are intrigued by the idea.

Mama's Granola bars

1 package yellow or white cake mix( the 18 oz size)

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Grease a 13 by 9 pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together all the dry ingredients except the raisins and nuts. Add in the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon until just crumbly. Mix in the raisins and nuts and pour into prepared pan.

Pat down and bake 20 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned. 

Let cool COMPLETELY or partially freeze before cutting to get nice bars. I get 16 bars by cutting in half the long way, then 8 bars on each half for a nice granola bar size.

Options

I use 3.5 cups homemade cake mix for the store bought cake mix.

You can sub these ingredients or use what you have on hand to add up to no more than 1 1/2 cup.

Dried cranberries, coconut, almonds

2 or 3 kinds of chocolate chips for a slightly healthier cookie taste.

dried apple pieces and walnuts(up the cinnamon a bit)

Pecans and toffee bit pieces( OK no longer healthier but YUM)

carob chips, raisins, and peanuts 
Add 2 tablespoons flax seed for some more fiber and nutrients