Dine and Dish

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Savannah Chocolate Cake with Hot Fudge Sauce

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A piece of chocolate cake with hot fudge sauce drizzled over it

 

My very best friend is moving out of state on Friday. Ami and I have known each other for 13 years… we met during my Freshman year of college and have been great friends ever since. She has been there for me through a lot and has always been one of the constants in my life.

When Ami called only two weeks ago to tell me that her and her family were moving south, I immediately felt choked up. I was so excited and jealous that they were leaving on such a great adventure, but I also knew I was going to miss Ami, her husband and my goddaughter dearly.  

The final days are winding near, we have said our goodbye’s, and I feel comfort in knowing that she is just a quick plane ride away.

I decided over the weekend to make a Paula Deen recipe. As I was making the recipe, I couldn’t help but hear Paula’s voice reading the ingredients to me in my head. “Ya’ll…this dish needs lots of butter. Sweetie…you know me… might as well not cook if you aren’t going to use lots of butter!” Everything I did, Ms Paula’s voice was in my head. It was then that I knew Ami would do well in the South. How could she not? Being surround by friendly Southern ladies, offering her sweet tea and warm chats. Also, if this lovely cake recipe is any indication of the kind of delicious food she’ll be having, I know that she will quickly embrace the Southern Comfort and hospitality, and at the very least, be eating very well.

Recipe courtesy of The Food Network and Paula Deen

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Savannah Chocolate Cake with Hot Fudge Sauce

Yummy chocolate cake to fulfill your chocolate craving. 
Course Dessert
Keyword cake, chocolate cake, dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Hot Fudge Sauce:

  • 1 4-ounce bar German chocolate
  • 1/2- ounce unsweetened chocolate
  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 2/3 cups evaporated milk
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • To make the cake, cream the brown sugar with the shortening in an electric mixer. Add the buttermilk and vanilla then the melted chocolate. With the mixer running, add eggs, 1 at a time. Sift the flour with the baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture and beat for 2 minutes.
  • Grease and flour a 13 by 9 by 2-inch rectangular cake pan. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake until the cake is springy and a toothpick can be inserted and removed cleanly, about 40 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes then turn it out onto a rack to finish cooling.
  • To make the sauce: Melt the 2 chocolates with the butter in a saucepan over very low heat. Stir in the powdered sugar, alternating with evaporated milk and blending well. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the mixture becomes thick and creamy, about 8 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Serve slices of cake topped with warm fudge sauce.

Notes

Note - In my opinion, a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is a must for this recipe. It is the perfect compliment to the rich fudge sauce!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deborah says

    If all recipes in the South are like Paula’s, I’d probably weigh a ton, but I’m sure it would be worth it! This cake sounds like pure indulgence!

  2. pat/mom says

    Hope you took loads of pictures of Ami and her family…especially darling Kate. Good friends may be separated by the miles, but are always close by in our hearts. Love

  5. Paula says

    That cake looks great!*yumm*
    I never buy buttermilk either. I’ve always used a teaspoon or so of vinager in the milk. Works just fine!

  7. Jennifer says

    The cake looks fabulous!

    I have substituted milk + lemon juice/vinegar for buttermilk and it does work well in baked goods.
    The other day I also noticed a powdered buttermilk product that you reconstitute and wonder if that is good. Has anyone tried it?

    Jennifer

  10. karen says

    Oh, it is hard to move away from people you care about.
    I’ve done it myself far too much, but somehow the distance can make friendships deeper still.

    And what a great Southern sweet! Looks delicious.

  11. Lydia says

    Thank heavens for chocolate cake — and for email, which keeps me connected to my best friend of 40 years who lives not nearly close enough to me.

  12. Kate says

    I rarely buy buttermilk unless I am going to make some bread or a specific recipe that calls for a lot.

    I think you and your friend have a bond that surpasses all distance and certainly will stand the test of time and miles. Thank goodness for email and digital photos, huh??

  13. My Kitchen in Half Cups says

    Long time ago I had a friend like that who then moved away. I’ll always regret not mixing up a bundt recipe we made over and over again: instead of baking it I wished we sat in the floor and just licked the bowl until we couldn’t put more in our mouths. We still laugh about the regret!
    Beautiful cake.

  15. Kat says

    Oh my, I’d love a big slice of that with a tall glass of cold milk! Yum

    Sorry about your friend moving. I know just how hard that is.

    Hugs!
    Kat

  16. Kirsten says

    How exciting for Ami, and how sad for you. It’s so hard to lose a friend because even if they are just a plane ride away, it’s not quite the same.

    This decadent chocolate cake is just perfect for a send-off and to cure any sadness. 🙂

  21. Amy says

    There’s nothing like warm fudge sauce on ice cream and cake. Mmm mm. Sorry to hear about your friend, best of luck to her and her family. 🙂

  22. Janet says

    This cake looks so good! Sorry you will be missing your friend, but the folks down South will be sure to take good care of her. Come on down for a visit anytime.

  24. Nora says

    Hi Kristen, I would be very sad too. But at least now you have a terrific excuse to travel interstate. This cake looks delicious! Love the hot fudge.

  26. Valli says

    So decadent! Paula Dean is on the Food Network right now as we speak. Such good home cooking..with plenty of butter!!!! A girl after my own heart with no substitutes!That is why I rarely venture into sweets..my waistline and every other inch of my body revolts!

  28. Susan from Food Blogga says

    I lived in the South for a number of years, and Ami will indeed meet a lot of friendly ladies. And, she’ll probably get her hands on some Southern dishes to share! I’ll tell you, that cake looks so yummy, it could wash away a lot of tears. Take care, Kristen!

  30. Nicole says

    Your post made me laugh about Paula being in your head. When I was reading it with a thick southern girl accent… too cute! I love Paula Dean. Anyway, this cake looks sooo good. I may just have to try it out. 🙂

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