Every once in a while, a decadent, rich, chocolaty treat is perfect for celebrating a birthday or a special occasion such as Valentine’s Day. Fortunately for our family, every year we celebrate two such special occasions during the week of Valentine’s Day.
I had almost forgotten about this simple chocolaty cake that my friend’s mom taught me back in high school or college. It’s simple because it uses cake mix out of the box, but it’s special because a few secret ingredients are added to make it extra rich and decadent.
For those of you who stopped reading at the words, “cake mix out of the box”, please keep an open mind and consider this recipe, because there might come a day where you’re pressed for time and need a beautiful cake at a moment’s notice. I promise, this won’t disappoint! :)
The two secret ingredients are chocolate pudding mix and light sour cream, although at this point you might as well use full-fat sour cream if you’re going to indulge in cake anyway.
The original recipe from my friend’s mom uses dark chocolate cake mix, but I love it with red velvet too. In the past, I’ve also tried this recipe with strawberry cake mix, vanilla pudding mix and white chocolate chips and it’s just as lovely as the chocolate version. Feel free to play around with the flavors of this recipe. It won’t disappoint! However, if you’re not looking for a rich, sweet, thick, moist cake… it’s best that you don’t bother with this one.
As for my life these days, I’ve taken a little step back from being so connected to technology, namely Instagram, Twitter, FaceBook, my laptop, and yes, even my blog… My iPhone, while fabulous, has actually made it a bit too convenient for me to stay connected through many social technology platforms but I realized that it was also taking away from the attention that I want to give to my little one. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not the type of mommy who ignores her child in favor of Twitter or texting! :)
Bebe E only has a few short years before she is off to kindergarten and elementary school and she already sees me on the phone enough, but when I address her, and talk to her, I try very hard to make a point of looking at her, looking in her eyes, and giving her the attention and respect that I would also expect in return from her.
That being said, the last few weeks I’ve been trying to make the most of my time with her, before she is off to elementary school. With the Valentine’s and Lunar New Year holidays, we’ve been busy with crafts and fun activities such as baking the cake you see in this post. In addition, a mommy-friend from Bebe E’s preschool inspired me to play “school” more often at home. This was an activity that we often “played” before Bebe E started preschool, where we pretended to be in school as I taught Bebe E (and her school friends – aka stuffed animals and her “baby”) basic concepts such as the alphabet, counting etc. Since we actually started preschool, I hadn’t placed much emphasis on pretend school and learning at home.
Now you’re all caught up on where I’ve been the past two weeks while I was M.I.A on the blog.
As for our Valentine’s Day this year, I’m not sure what I’m going to make for the hubster. Last year, I made him almond jello, a childhood favorite (recipe post is available here), but I haven’t decided what to cook this year. Usually when Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, its just like any other school night where I make dinner for the family at home. I think last year I might have even saved my husband the trouble of getting me a gift by hand selecting a box of my favorite See’s Candies myself. (This is what happens after several years of marriage.)
Last year, Bebe E and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with a holiday themed book and we made almond jello (for Daddy) and other crafts together. The tradition remains the same this year in that I found another Valentine’s Day book that I think Bebe E will really enjoy. I’m also making her a special Valentine’s Day envelope and we’ll do more crafts together as well as to finish up our Valentine’s Day cards that we didn’t get to today. I’ll share more on the crafts as time permits.
I’m keeping with the theme of 2013 which is simplicity. Our Valentine’s Day will be simple, yet lovely and memorable.
May your February 14th be just as simple and lovely.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Print Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake Author: Judy | Bebe Love Okazu Recipe type: Dessert Ingredients- 1 box Red Velvet cake mix (no pudding or butter added), or other flavor of choice
- 1 small package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 8-ounce (1 cup) package light sour cream
- 1 cup chocolate chips (up to 2 cups), reserve some chips for garnish
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, and all remaining ingredients except the chocolate chips.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, blend well. (There’s no need for a mixer with this recipe)
- Add 1 to 2 cups chocolate chips, as desired.
- Grease and flour a bundt pan. Shake excess flour from pan.
- Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 F for 50 – 60 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Line cake stand, plate, or cutting board with parchment or wax paper.
- Turn bundt pan over onto the parchment paper.
- Dust with powdered sugar and chocolate chips.
- Optional: decorate cake with Cool Whip, real whipped cream and fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries or blueberries)
