Happy National Chocolate Cake Day!

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day!  And tomorrow is my Mom's birthday! What better way to celebrate than to make a delicious treat that she used to make for us when we were growing up! 

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

(Yes, that's right, mayonnaise, don't judge- it's good!) 

2 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

3 eggs

1 2/3 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup mayonnaise

1 1/3 cups water 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour (or use your favorite cake release) two 9 inch pans. 
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder; set aside. (I sift my flour and cocoa before adding to the bowl, but you don't need to.) 
3. In a large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for three minutes or until light and fluffy.  Beat in mayonnaise at low speed until blended.  
4. Add in flour gradually, alternating with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour into prepared pans.  
5. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes on wire racks then remove from pans and cool completely. Frost if desired. 

I couldn't find the original recipe card that we used to use, but I found the same recipe here on the Hellmann's Mayonnaise website. 

Since I am always on the lookout for a good frosting recipe I checked out the Hershey's Cocoa website and found this great recipe that I used on the cake.  With a name like this how could I resist! 

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

1 stick butter

2/3 cup Hershey's Cocoa 

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla 

1. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa (slowly!).  Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistently. 
2. Add a small amount of additional milk if needed. Stir in vanilla.  Makes about 2 cups frosting. 

When I first looked at the frosted cake it looked a little naked so I added some chocolate hearts.  They are Hershey's too (no, I am not being compensated by Hershey's!) 

Since it's Mom's birthday, I will be taking it over to share with her tomorrow.  No, it is not her fancy "party cake" (that will come later) but I hope she enjoys it just the same!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom! 

Happy National Chocolate Cake Day to you and thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia