IRISH CHOCOLATE CAKE
You can’t beat a super moist, old-fashioned chocolate cake. The “Irish” in this one comes from mashed potatoes—another use for leftovers in the frugal 1950s. The cake retains its succulent texture for several days when covered and stored—if you can keep the kiddies from sneaking it!
Ingredients: ½ cup milk, 3 squares unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup shortening, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup hot mashed potatoes, 4 separated eggs, 2 cups sifted cake flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, pinch salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Directions: Heat milk. Add chocolate, stirring to melt. Allow to cool. Meanwhile, cream shortening and 1 ¾ cup of the sugar until fluffy. Combine chocolate mixture with potatoes, and add it to the creamed mixture. Beat in egg yolks to create a batter. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir into batter. Add vanilla. Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks, gradually adding the last ¼ cup of sugar. Fold egg white mixture into the batter. Pour into 3 greased 8 inch round cake pans lined with waxed paper. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cool and frost as you desire.
Chocolate Ganache makes a superb glaze for this cake. Ingredients: 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped into fine pieces, 1 cup heavy whipping cream. For an extra special touch add 3 tablespoons flavored liqueur, such as Irish Cream flavored, coffee flavored, or orange flavored Grand Marnier. Directions: Heat cream on medium high heat until it comes to a slight boil. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl over the chocolate pieces. Stir chocolate and cream until thoroughly mixed and glossy, while adding liqueur a spoonful at a time. Allow to cool before pouring glaze over cake.
The Wytchfae housekeeper, Sadie, in Guardian of the Deep would love to whip up this Irish Chocolate cake for Sam’s sweet tooth.
Cake recipe adapted from Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook, 1959.
Mmm that looks soo good!
Charisma, let’s have a slice with our morning coffee!
I know, right?! Yum.
Interesting. I never heard of using mashed potatoes in cake, but it does sound and look delicious!
I remember when I first heard about carrot cake. That didn’t sound too good at the time either:)
I remember when I first heard about carrot cake. That didn’t sound too good at the time either:)
Thanks so much!