Lucky Cake

Why do I call it Lucky Cake?  Because the way I figure it, is if you are eating cake, you are lucky! ☺ 

CHOCOLATE CAKE with PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

¾ cup butter or butter flavored Crisco

4 eggs

2 cups flour

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

¾ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla

1½ cups milk  

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Combine all dry ingredients except sugar in one bowl. In large bowl cream Crisco and sugar together.  Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.  Add vanilla. Alternately beat in flour mixture and milk until all combined.  Beat medium high for two minutes. Spread into 13x9x2 inch baking pan and bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan to cool completely. Frost with peanut butter frosting and decorate if desired.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

Cream together until spreading consistency and spread over cooled cake.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

~Fun Facts about Cakes~

⥴Modern layered cakes are made of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil, milk and water, leavening agents and flavor ingredients. 

⥵Cakes are the most common dessert of choice for meals at ceremonial occasions. 

⥴The term 'cake' originated from the Norse word "kaka". 

⥴January 27 is observed at the National Chocolate Cake Day in the United States. 

⥴The wedding cake is a tradition that began back in the Roman Empire. 

⥴In the 17th century England, people believed that keeping fruitcakes under the pillow of those who are unmarried will give them sweet dreams about their fiancé. 

⥴Icing is the addition of a creamy and delicious mixture to a dessert. 

⥴The first icings were usually a boiled composition of the finest available sugar, egg whites and flavorings. 

⥴Tiered cakes, usually used in weddings, originated after 1870.

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,