Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Chocolate Potato Cake - My Father's Favorite!



Happy Birthday
to my father who would have been 88
on March 1st


My father always felt very self-conscious about his birthday celebrations and wasn't very comfortable with being singled out and fussed over. I think this photo of him taken with his favorite birthday cake sort of shows the shy side of my Dad.
BUT -- let him start talking about his WWII experiences and you just better listen up. He had much to tell. I sometimes wonder if he reflected back on those experiences and related current events to what he was doing during battles, marches, and other wartime experiences. Those years in the Army spent mostly on an armored car, had the most impact on him for the rest of his life. I promised myself that I would not give a long address about my father... I couldn't get it all right and he would be shy once again about my attempts to explain who he was.
I will tell you -- he was a great father and
I miss him everyday.
I love you, Daddy! Happy Birthday!

********

My Father's Favorite Cake
-Chocolate Potato Cake-


2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
4 eggs - separate and whip whites
2 c. flour
4 Tbsp. cocoa
 2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. milk
1 tsp. each: ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg
--
1 c hot mashed potatoes (not instant)
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
--
Icing: 1 box powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp. cocoa
5 Tbsp. hot, strong coffee

   Cream 2 c. sugar with 1 c. shortening. Add 4 egg yolks and cream well. Sift together: flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg
--
1 c hot mashed potatoes (not instant)
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
--
Icing: 1 box powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp. cocoa
5 Tbsp. hot, strong coffee
    
     Cream 2 c. sugar with 1 c. shortening. Add 4 egg yolks and cream well. Sift together: flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add alternately the milk to creamed mixture along with hot mashed potatoes. Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites, pecan, and vanilla.
     Grease 3 round cake tins and line with wax paper.
     Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Frost when cool.



My father after his last military reunion.


I am linking to


Mis Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday
                                               http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/




Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

*

5 comments:

Theresa said...

Sweet Daddy:) I love that picture of him with his Birthday cake AND that last picture of him standing in the ocean... PRECIOUS memories!

Enjoy your day my friend, thanks for sharing your Daddy with me and for sharing his favorite cake recipe!

HUGS!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet tribute to your dad. My dad was in WWII and would be 88, too. They spent their childhoods in the depression, then go off to that horrid war. They were a strong breed of men all right.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a sweet post about your dear Dad. His favorite cake sounds wonderful. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm your newest follower.

Miz Helen said...

What a precious post and tribute to your Father. I am sure he would have been honored by your post. This is a great cake, it looks delicious! Hope you have a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

Laura said...

Karen- this is such an interesting recipe. I love chocolate cake recipes!
You are so talented at sharing memories, especially of your parents.

Laura
White Spray Paint