Have you noticed that the world of desserts is being overrun by all things fancy smancy? It seems good old fashioned desserts, like a simple chocolate cake, are the red-headed stepchild in the world of chocolate concoctions.
That ends now. At least for me it does.
In the mood for something simple and delicious to serve a chocolate loving friend last week, I turned to my trusty McCalls cookbook, published in the early 70’s. It’s never let me down before, and this cake was no exception. It’s rich, dense and full of old fashioned flavor and goodness.
Chocolate Fudge Pound Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour preferable King Arthur
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup good quality cocoa
- 2 oz semisweet chocolate chopped
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 eggs
- Ingredients for ganache
- 3 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- 1. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan with butter and line with parchment or wax paper
- 2. Preheat oven to 325
- 3. In a medium bowl whisk together flour and salt
- 4. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour boiling water over it to melt the chocolate then store in cocoa and set aside and allow to cool for a few minutes
- 5. Mix the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then add chocolate and cocoa mixture and mix until combined
- 6. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition
- 7. Slowly add flour and salt mixture and stir well
- 8. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and tap it on a hard surface a few times to eliminate bubbles
- 9. Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. DO NOT OVER COOK OR IT WILL BE DRY
- 10. Let cool for a few minutes, then gently turn the pan over, remove and allow to cool completely on wire rack.
- 11. While cake is cooling, make chocolate ganache. Melt chocolate and whisk in the heavy whipping cream until mixture becomes silky and spread over the cake.
In other news…
The other day Fisherman and I were driving when we saw a large turtle in the road. We stopped to see if we could somehow prevent it from being run over before making it to its final destination. It happened to be a snapping turtle, so we didn’t want to pick it up, but soon after we stopped a man in a pick up truck stopped, got out of his truck and placed his foot on the shell of the turtle and grabbed it by its tail and threw it into the back of his truck. We thought he was going to bring it into the woods. No. He was bringing it home for turtle soup. I’m not kidding. 🙁
We know who the man was, so the next day I went to the local police to find out if there’s an ordinance against that, and no, there isn’t. Too bad, because I was sooooooo looking forward to the police going to his house and at the very least, issuing a summons. I also called the Environmental State Police and believe it or not, they actually have a ‘turtle expert’ who said they’re considering a law that would protect animals in these situations, but nothing is on the books yet. Ugh.
Remember my ‘House With A Broken Heart’ post? There was a house I was going to include, but since it has a brown facade I knew it wouldn’t photograph well so I decided against it. Turns out this house was purchased by a couple that are totally renovating it, top to bottom. It’s a huge undertaking, as the house was built in the 1700’s and has many of it’s original details. I got a sneak peek today and I’m hoping I can take some pictures of the progress, or at least some before and afters. Should be interesting.
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Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Not sure whether to laugh or cry about the turtle 1 ;0 )
Doreen says
I had to admit I was laughing when I heard there was a ‘turtle expert’. Do you think they have a ‘beaver expert’ too? 😉
Poppy says
The fate of that travelling turtle was, I guess, to be taken home by that truck driving terror, but I’m hoping it was for his sweet kiddies, and not his soup of the day! In any case, it is what it is, but your inquiry into the matter is commendable.
Your chocolate fudge pound cake looks and sounds divine, served with fresh strawberries and cream. I completely agree that, old fashioned desserts are the best, for their simplicity of ingredients, time, and techniques, and that’s why I’ve been baking my Aunt Ellie’s orange cake, Koumbara Angela’s (my sister’s godmother) Easter brioche, and my very own carrot cake from my very first cook book, for years…
Happy weekend, House Honey!
xoxo
Poppy
Doreen says
And let’s not forget those cookies Poppy, which, by the way, I’m thinking I’d love to add to my repertoire, and I’m pretty sure Fisherman would too ;).
xxx
Carol Cook says
That chocolate cake looks delicious!
Julie says
Wow your chocolate cake looks so good and I bet delicious tasting too! Thanks for sharing the recipe! That poor turtle. Enjoy the weekend and week.
Julie xo
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I’m trying to stay off sugar, though it’s really hard for me. As for that turtle, poor thing. Turtle soup? Yuck!
Brenda
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
Are you teasing me with you chocolate fudge cake? You must of known I was having a chocolate attack and then I see your lovely photo and so want a piece. Feel bad about the turtle. Don’t think I could eat the soup…I hope at least he killed it humanely. Old fashioned desserts are the best, but right now i’d take anything!
tammy j says
you know me an all animals.
only sadness here about the poor turtle.
but the cake looks divine!
and i’m glad the house will find new love.
Miss Merry says
All this chocolate is amazing. My mouth is watering looking at the photos! Thanks for stopping by! I love your brooch bouquet on your sidebar. Yours is a much more elegant version than ours. You said you just used the floral wire. Did you then just shape it into the bouquet shape? We had used the foam to make it more circular. What a lovely, lovely wedding!
Miss Merry says
All that chocolate is making my mouth water! Delicious! Thanks for stopping by. I love the brooch bouquet you created, featured on your sidebar. Yours is so much more elegant than our version. You said you just used floral wire and tape? Did you just shape it into a bouquet? We used the foam to give ours a more circular shape. Your daughter’s wedding was just lovely. You have a special knack for creating exquisite, memory making details.
Doreen says
Thank you so much! Yes, I shaped it into basically an oval/roundish shape. That’s what she wanted. I was thinking of doing more of a cascade shape, but she was the boss ;). Today is their first anniversary. Hard to believe it went so fast!
Cindi says
That cake looks delicious! Yum!
Odd that you wrote about a turtle and his awful fate. Just yesterday, my kennel girl who has the weekend off, posted photos on Facebook of “preparing” a turtle to eat. She’s got this new boyfriend and suddenly they are hunting and fishing and trapping and it makes me sick. I’m not sure what I will say to her when she returns on Monday. I’m repulsed.
And I feel the same way about houses. Even ones that are not that old.
I had looked at a mid-century home that was just perfect. Wood floors, light paneling in some rooms with a built in desk.
The basement had retro tile and there was a little jalousie porch and a tiny garden hidden behind a lovely fence.
I wished there had been someway for me to get this house, it was just pristine.
Later, after it sold, I saw a carpet van in the driveway and they had ripped down the fence and a big riding lawnmower was parked on the tiny patio. I swear that as I looked at it, I could hear the house weep. I was so so sad.
(Loved the poem.)
xoxo
Doreen says
Sounds like what might be in store for that house is some ‘remuddling’ which is a not so subtle term for remodeling gone awry.
I remember you writing about your new worker and how excited you were because she seemed perfect. Guess no one is :(.
Jane says
The cake looks wonderful and I have all the ingredients here. Nothing like our good old loyal cookbooks to go back to in a pinch. Sometimes I think the very weird recipes you see from month to month in magazines are just an attempt to ‘possibly’ hit on a winner, or maybe because they are just plain desperate for something new.
Poor turtle. For a second I thought you were way down south, both because of the turtle siting and the idea for soup (no insulting here, I’m thinking of all the alligator appetizers I saw on the menus in Florida). I hear turtle soup tastes like chicken, and so do frog legs. I have heard. Just too gross to eat for me. At least your post ended with a good story. A happy ending.
Jane x
Linda Chapman says
Turtle soup??? Not on MY menu!
Cecilia says
Oh my, Doreen! That cake looks delish!
Um, ok…takes all kinds. Heard someone telling someone else not to pick up any turtles where we have our farm – they are all snapping turtles, she said. Said most people just run over them when they see one. That makes me sad and mad.
I hope you get to take pictures of the house. What fun it would be to see it come to life!
Emily says
Hi Doreen, Oh my goodness, I would love a piece of that chocolate cake, it looks delicious! Yum……..
Oh no, the poor turtle. All he was worried about was getting to the other side of the road, not a soup pot! I didn’t know people did that. I’m sure you were shocked to find out the man wasn’t helping the turtle when he drove off with him. Next time I see a turtle in the road i’ll think of you Doreen…………Sure hope you get to photograph the old home after it’s renovation, would love to see it.
Have a great week……..
Doreen says
That’s exactly right Emily. It was the shock of it all…expecting one thing and having the opposite happen. Thanks for visiting, and have a great week!
Jemma says
Okay, I hate, absolutely hate to say this…but when we lived in the New Orleans area-I had turtle soup-didn’t know and I liked it-will you forgive me:) I am sorry about your turtle.
Well, on to a brighter note-this recipe is heavenly!! Butter, whip cream, chocolate-I am signing up!
Seriously beautiful photos too!
xoxox
Jemma
Doreen says
There’s nothing to forgive Jemma. It had more to do with the idea that we were trying to help the turtle, but ended up more than likely being responsible for her demise. If we had left well enough alone, she probably would have made it to the other side safely. Also, it was the sheer shock of at first thinking that man was going to put it in the woods, but instead threw it in his truck. I honestly don’t get some people, but frankly, he’s an ignorant hillbilly so we shouldn’t have been surprised.
Jemma says
I just had to come back and tell you that this Chocolate Cake is also gloriously beautiful and I have pinned it too!
Happy Monday!
xo
Jemma
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Love pound cake of any type and the chocolate one looks amazing…..thanks for the recipe….and too bad there was not a law against harming turtles…what a shame!
kelly says
That chocolate cake looks good! I prefer simple most of the time too (especially if I’m going to try to make it). I would’ve been shocked to see someone pick up a turtle to take home for soup too! Good Lord! That sounds so backwoods to me. We live in an age where you don’t have to pick up wild animals etc to bring home for food anymore. He probably bought the cookbook from Duck Dynasty that has stuff like that in it! LOL!
Sue says
I am going to have to check my McCalls cookbook too. The shape of the cake is so different- love that. It’s not like we can’t go to grocery store and get food, leave the turtles alone, disgusting for sure. The house will be interesting to see for sure.
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Chocolate fudge pound cake – um hello lover!! 😉 I’m printing this up as I write to you. This will fill a chocolate craving when it hits for sure. And I think my in-laws would really love this!! Thanks for sharing it.
I’m so sad about that turtle!!! You know what I just love about you Doreen….you are a woman of action. And I mean that sincerely – you are inspiring!! I love that you called to check on the law for this. Take a bow lady…you rock. Simple as that.
Can’t wait to see about the house. I love when folks bring beautiful history like old houses back to life. So awesome!
Happy week to you. xoxo
Julie says
Hi Doreen, wow this chocolate cake looks amazing! Thanks this wonderful recipe at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J party! Have a nice week!
Cindy says
Sorry I’m late Doreen, but YUM. You are so right I love just plain chocolate cake and this one looks fantastic. Thanks for the share.
Cindy
Jess says
Holy cow I may have just drooled! OMG this sounds amazing!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Simple desserts are actually my favorites. This looks delicious, and I’m going to pin and try it. McCalls magazine reminds me of my mother. That’s really sad about that turtle! I don’t know how people can do things like that!
rue says
What a jackass… I probably would have lost it and reamed him a new one and gotten shot.
That reminds me of back when I lived in Virginia. Being a bleeding heart Californian and not knowing better, I used to try and save the turtles in the road. One day I came across a snapping turtle, but I didn’t know it at first and went to pick it up. The thing snapped at me and started to come after me! Those turtles are not slow lol Anyway, a man in a truck stopped behind my car, grabbed a stick and shuttled the turtle into the woods. He turned around and said “Don’t ever try to pick one of those up again. They’ll break your fingers.” Then he just shook his head, got in his truck and drove off. I’m sure he was thinking “crazy girl must not be from around here” lol
I’m so glad someone is saving that old house. You know that just warms my heart 🙂
Oh and I pinned that cake as soon as I saw the picture 😉
xo,
rue
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Xied and on my wat to Heaven with this dessert, but pinning first:D
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Ugh! When are they going to come up with a lick-able computer screen? That cake looks scrumptious! I can’t wait to try it.
Wow! I can’t believe someone would pick up a turtle off the side of the road to eat it! And there are no laws against it? That’s crazy! Not long ago I was knee deep in renovations. I’m still not over the trauma. 😉 xx
Doreen says
Lickable computer screen?! I LOVE IT!! Lol
I hear ya’ about the turtle Vashti. Right now there are no laws against something like that. Hard to believe but it’s true. The man who did it is a tried and true hillbilly, not to mention an asshole. :/
Thanks for stopping by! Always great to hear from you! (Hope it’s not too hot down there now).