It’s my Bday

Not only is it my birthday, it will have been 2 years to the day that I started blogging.  I started on 10/4/03.  So to all of the people that have enjoyed this blog, thank you for reading.  I have really enjoyed hearing from you and writing for the past 2 years.  I am looking forward to giving more Gotham information in the year to come.

My sister made me a bday cake today.  It was a real treat.  My kids have actually been asking about traditions gathered around food.  The cake was definitely a tradition growing up.  My mother always made us the Liz Levitt chocolate cake.  Liz Levitt turned out to be not a very nice friend but she did make a helluva a cake and my mother got the recipe.  Each year we were treated to the cake.  The taste brought back many memories.  It is a total winner.  Also, the first time that my sister had ever made a 2 layer cake so that was big.  The recipe is a must share.

Chocolate Cake

1/2 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 squares baking chocolate
1 c. water
1 t. baking soda
3 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1 t. vanilla

2 c. flour
1 t. baking power
1/4 t. salt

Melt chocolate with water – add baking soda when melted (cool).  Cream butter and sugar.  Then add eggs one at a time.  Sift dry ingredients together.  Add them to the butter/sugar mixture alternatively with the sour cream.  Stir in chocolate and vanilla.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes in a 9 x 12 sheet pan
20-25 minutes in 2 8" layer cakes

Make sure you grease the pans.

When totally cooled.  That means totally cooled, flip out the cakes.  Then frost.  Frosting is whatever rocks your boat.  It is really really good and moist.