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

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

*