the man's cake

after being so inspired by this cake, i wanted to make it for richie for his birthday, but alas, he requested his most favorite cake ever. and i can't really blame him because it is a fabulous cake. but seriously not for the faint of heart because man, it is rich! it's a recipe that i got from my mother in law and has been a favorite of richie's since he was little. we've been married for three years and i still get requests for recipes his mom makes. all this time i thought i could brain wash him into thinking i am the better cook. oh well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. (and hopefully she won't mind if i share the recipe here.) oh, and why the picture of a frosting mix? this is a 'secret' ingredient. you have to use this exact mix. and good luck finding

it. i have yet to find it in the state of washington. otherwise, you can find it at albertsons. and one more thing. i have this little habit of starting to make recipes without all the ingredients.... i try to make sure i have it all, there's just always something that falls through the cracks. so when i went to make this cake, i was sure we had cocoa in the back of the cupboard, but it was special dark dutch process cocoa. well, it was too late to go to the store and i was too tired, so i used it. lo and behold, it was even better than regular cocoa! just don't try it with cake flour instead of all-purpose. or if you do and your cake falls apart when you take it out of the pan, don't say i didn't warn you. and then you can turn it into a trifle which is also delish and yes, we've done it. yum-o!

Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

6 TBSP. cocoa

Mix together, then add:

1 cup oil

2 cups water

2 TBSP. vinegar

Beat, then pour into two well-greased round pans. Bake at 350 until cake lightly springs back when touched, about 30 minutes.

Frosting:

1 quart whipping cream

1 pkg. vanilla frosting mix

Beat until stiff. Frost as pictured.