Monroe Chat

There's a history behind this cake for my family. Several years ago we had a college friends reunion inviting 10 of our old gang to our house for a gathering. It happened to fall on the birthday of DH's college roomate. HIs wife requested that I make a cake for the special day and said his favorite was "Cherry Chip". I'd never heard of Cherry Chip cake before, so I googled it and came up with homemade chocolate cherry chip. I made the cake and it was a big hit at the reunion. But after a while, he admitted that his favorite cake is a Betty Crocker Cherry Chip cake that comes in a box!! Just add water!

We are now thrilled that I didn't know that because we found this absolutely fantastic family favorite. Enjoy!


Chocolate Cherry Chip Cake

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 10 oz. jar maraschinno cherries
2 cups miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Icing:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
4 Tablespoons milk

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13" pan. In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt. Add eggs, coffee, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Batter will be thin. Fold in cherries and chocolate chips. Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. It's best to leave it in the pan because the chips and cherries sort of sink to the bottom and solidify and will stick. It makes a sort of chocolate crust. Frost with with white butter cream.

For the frosting, in a large bowl, combine butter, confectioners sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt and vanilla. Cream with electric mixer. Add milk by the Tblsp until frosting is smooth.

We find we like the cake even better the second day, so it makes ahead well.