There are times we all need some comfort. Stressful, busy, sad, or anxious days are made a little better with certain foods. Which foods? It is different for every single person. I go for just about any food in general when I need a little comfort. Food itself is comforting to me. I head directly towards chocolate when I need a lot of comfort. My ultimate choice is a chocolate layer cake. Rich, moist, and with a thick dose of creamy frosting.
The important part to me is the frosting. I have said before, cake is only there to hold up the frosting. Granted I do bake and enjoy cakes without frosting, usually a bundt or ones baked in a tube pan. However, if they were all lined up on a dessert bar I would choose the ones with frosting first. This chocolate layer cake has oodles of frosting. The recipe makes enough that even I had some leftover. I may or may not have kept the extra and ate it all by itself. Ahem.
The Sunday Supper team is sharing their favorite comfort food. The recipes span from savory to sweet, breakfast to dessert, and a whole lot in between:
Comfort Food | Soups
- Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup by Damn Delicious
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Supper for a Steal
- Kalbi Tang or Korean Short Rib Soup by Kimchi MOM
- Korean mandoo (dumpling) soup by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Chicken Noodle Soup by My Catholic Kitchen
- Thai'd up chicken noodle soup by I Run For Wine
- Ditalini Italian Soup by Mangiamo!
- Spicy Black Bean Soup by Mama's Blissful Bites
- Chicken Chowder by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
Comfort Food | Main Dish
- Sausage Gravy and Biscuits by Big Bears Wife
- Comforting Down-Home Shrimp and Grits by The Weekend Gourmet
- Pumpkin Alfredo Tortellini Bake by The Meltaways
- Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese by Flour on My Face
- Lasagna Roll Ups by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Green Plantain Hash by Basic n Delicious
- Venison Chili by The Messy Baker Blog
- Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells by That Skinny Chick can Bake
- Winter Chicken Stew by Mrs. Mama Hen
- Quinoa, Spinach, and Kale Lasagna by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Baked Oysters and Apples by Pescetarian Journal
- Individual Chicken Pot Pies by Noshing With The Nolands
- Kaesespaetzle {Baked Cheese Spaetzle} by Galactosemia in PDX
- Jalapeno and Bacon Mac N' Cheese by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Quiche aux Champignons {Mushroom Quiche} by An Appealing Plan
- Mini Mac n Cheese Cups with Pork Shoulder Ragù by Hip Foodie Mom
- Chicken a la King by Girlichef
- Creamy Chicken & Dumplings by La Cocina de Leslie
- Spaghetti Squash Gratins by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas by Home Cooking Memories
- Savory Slow-Cooked Pork Stew by Daddy Knows Less
- Chicken Roasted with White Wine and Garlic by Webicurean
- Shepherd's Pie by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- One Skillet Pumpkin Lasagna by The Realistic Nutritionist
- Chicken "Pot Pie" by Diabetic Foodie
- Gluten Free Cornish Pasty by Maroc Mama
- Warm Oven Baked Samosas Stuffed With Sweet Potato & Peas by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Caramelized Onion-Challah Stuffing Muffins by Comfy Cuisine
- Comforting Mashed Potatoes by Momma's Meals
- Chunky Chili Beans by Mama Mommy Mom
- Rustic Cauliflower and Tomato Gratin by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Feijoada Portuguese Bean Stew by Family Foodie
Comfort Food | Desserts
- Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy by Juanita's Cocina
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Sour Cream Pound Cake by Mom's Test Kitchen
- Chocolate Layer Cake by Magnolia Days
- Cinnamon Rice Pudding by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Hot Dr. Pepper with Lemon by Kwisten's Favorites
- Smores Hot Cocoa by Chocolate Moosey
- Sweet Red Bean Pie by What Smells So Good
- Pistachio Cake Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake by No One Likes Crumbly Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Caramel Brownies by Daily Dish Recipes
- Nutella Shortbread Bars by Baker Street
Pairing Wine with Sunday Supper Comfort Food Favorites! by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
We are thrilled to have Lee Woodruff joining us for this event. Lee is an author, contributor to CBS Good Morning, wife, mother, and one who has been through some tough times. Her husband, Bob, was critically injured while reporting in Iraq in 2006. You can read about it in her book, In an Instant
. She also has two other books, Perfectly Imperfect
and the recently released Those We Love Most
.
Lee will be tweeting with us in the #SundaySupper chat. Set your reminder and join in today (Sunday, October 14th) at 7pm Eastern Time. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and be sure to include it in your tweets during the chat. Take a look at the #SundaySupper Pinterest board for even more food photos and recipes.
What is your ultimate comfort food? Do you find yourself craving it during a tough time or is it seasonal? So interesting how food plays a greater part in our lives than only for eating. Family dinners, celebrations, fun times, sad times, and so much more is highlighted with food. The wonderful memories held in a taste or smell can be unleashed and give us comfort when we need it.
Chocolate Layer Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot coffee
- ½ cup boiling water
For the frosting:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 7 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper and then flour the pans.
- In a large bowl, add sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in hot coffee and boiling water. The batter will be thin. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting:
- In a medium saucepan, add the butter, cocoa, and milk. Cook over low heat until butter melts, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat. Add salt, vanilla, and powdered sugar to the pan. Beat on high speed of an electric mixer until of spreading consistency. (Frosting will thicken as it cools). Add additional warm milk if necessary.
For the cake:
- Spread frosting on top of each layer and on the sides of the cake. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Cake recipe adapted from Hershey's and That Skinny Chick Can Bake. Frosting adapted from Southern Living 1986 Annual Recipes
"Rich, moist, and with a thick dose of creamy frosting" - Who could resist? I imagine baking this much be just as fun as eating it! Absolutely delicious, Renee.
Oh dear, Renee! This chocolate cake looks absolutely amazing! Now, I will go to bed dreaming of this chocolate cake! 🙂
I would seriously eat chocolate cake everyday, with every meal/3x a day . . if that was socially acceptable and healthy for me 😛 I love it so much! Rich, moist, and with a thick dose of creamy frosting? Sounds delish! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
It´s hard to beat the comfort of an all chocolate cake. And this one is perfectly cut and frosted Renee! Wonderful for today!
YUM!!! I think you know this is a family favorite! I will definitely try your version/tweaks...simply gorgeous!
What a STUNNING cake!!!
Oh my gosh - that is a gorgeous cake. I love the temptingly fat layers of frosting that envelope that chocolatey cake. Just beautiful. And totally comforting.
Ha! I love your "how about a little cake to go with that frosting" philosophy;-) I do the same thing with syrup on pancakes! Awesome post! It's o-dark thiry here in California and your've got me craving a piece of this cake already!
And what do you do with the extra frosting? Eat it with a spoon! 😀
Oh yeah, that cake would totally make me comfortable! I could not bake this cake. I would eat the whole cake. Seriously. I'd hide it from the family and keep it all to myself!
This looks beautiful, Renee ... I'm a frosting girl, too 🙂
The look so good 🙂 I want to bake a cake today. will try your frosting
Cammi @ Cammilicious.com
Yes...it IS all about the frosting! Nothing better than a good fudge buttercream...mmmm!
Frosting is a whole separate food group on its own as far as I'm concerned. I can sit and just eat a bowl of it. This is a beautiful cake recipe - I love it!!!
There's nothing more comforting than a luscious chocolate cake!
I agree, the frosting can make or break a cake. And you can't the deny the comfort of a slice of perfect chocolate cake. This looks pretty perfect Renee!
I think I might live exclusively on comfort food. Is that wrong?
This cake is just...yum. That's the only word for it-YUM!
Chocolate cake is in my "Top 10" as a comfort food. This cake has my mouth watering, seriously. I love the composition for your photos as well.
Alaiyo
Your cake looks beautiful!
I would TOTALLY agree that a chocolate layered cake is a perfect comfort food! And as a frosting fan, I love that you've got a nice layer of frosting on there!
Gorgeous! I'm not sure I've ever seen a more moist-looking chocolate cake.
Omg this chocolate cake looks to die for! Save me a slice.
This looks to die for. Like I'd have it with a big ol' glass of milk! Also looks like the chocolate cakes my mom used to make for my birthday growing up 🙂
Oh...I love the Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" chocolate cake and the Hershey's Black Magic cake. Yum!!
Now THAT looks like an amazing chocolate cake! I want a piece now!
I need a big piece right now.... PLEASE!
Oh yes, my favorite cake - chocolate with more chocolate!
Don't you just love chocolate cake, always looking for a good recipe too!! Thanks for sharing!!
There is nothing better than a good old classic chocolate cake with a generous helping of chocolate frosting. This cake is gorgeous, and now I'm craving a big old hunk. Yum!
I have to agree with you: cake is great, but the frosting is what makes it, in my opinion! Yours looks absolutely delightful!
I love how this cake is simple yet decadent! When it comes to birthday cakes, we end up making plain chocolate cake, similar to this actually. Can't go wrong!! All you're missing are some sprinkles 😉 (ok and ice cream)
I'll have to put sprinkles on the side for those who like them...
I'm with you, Renee - chocolate cake is definitely one of my go-to comfort foods! The one exception is the frosting - I actually like eating the cake plain. Your frosting, however, sounds amazingly decadent. I wish I had a piece of your cake right now with a big frosty glass of milk!
Renee this cake looks amazing. As you already know I'm a firm believer that chocolate makes all things better and is the ultimate comfort food. I love this!
Thanks Nicole!
Okay love this. Classic chocolate layer cake is so amazing. Can I just say I giggled at the thought of leftover icing. Never happens here. We're all spooning it into our pie, er, cakeholes.
Yep, extra frosting does not go to waste here either. All I need is a spoon.
I might just have to make this for my mom! She is a chocolate cake fiend and would so much appreciate it!
I'll make it for my mom too. She already called and requested it.
That is divine! I love chocolate, and cake so good! I actually could use a big piece right now 🙂
Cake is one of those things that I know will always bring a smile to my husband's face after really stressful days. He is a cake and tea kind of guy. I sometimes think he could live off cake and tea. 🙂
You should see my husband with cookies, especially peanut butter cookies.
For all the fancy desserts out there, I agree that the original is the best. Chocolate cake, lots of frosting and a tall glass of milk! 🙂
Yes, a tall glass of milk or a big cup of coffee. Sometimes red wine.
Can I have a piece of this right now???!!! This may have to be made for my son's birthday at the end of the month.
Unfortunately the cake is all gone. I suppose you will have to wait until you make it for your son's birthday.
Yummy! Looks delicious 🙂
That Chocolate cake looks fantastic! Just perfect in every way!
Amen to the frosting!! The cake looks great but the frosting? Win.
I completely agree with you on all levels about comfort food. The first thing I reach for when I'm sad, mad, or happy is food. I soothe myself with food and I reward myself with food. I normally go for the pasta and rice dishes but I can completely get on board with the chocolate layer cake. 🙂
I think a lot of us have some version of this wonderful, moist, chocolatey cake! I know I have a couple and when I need comfort I head directly to this recipe! Perfect!
Buttermilk... delicious! I love a good chocolate cake.
Jamie @ http://www.mamamommymom.com
This looks delicious!
that cake looks GREAT! I don't bake cakes often, but I think I need to correct that! Certainly my husband won't complain, especially if chocolate is involved!