Our Valentine's Day Dessert

This year for our Valentine's Day Cake, Michael and I (Samantha) made an "Emil Cake" (as named by Mikey after the person who gave us the recipe). One of our favorite CHOCOLATE cakes! It was the first time I tried layering it. Previously we made it in a 9x13, so I was just a *little* nervous. We ended up having lots of fun and it was a blast to frost. Mostly because it was so messy. LOL

This cake is best made a day in advance and be sure to read through it first and follow directions EXACTLY!


















We didn't have almonds so I used shredded coconut and topped it with frozen raspberries (all we had) to make it more “Valentiney”. :D As the berries defrosted, they left pink streaks down the sides of the cake. It looked so pretty!


Emil Cake
(or the Best Chocolate Cake EVER!)

1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 pkg (2 layer size) Chocolate Cake mix w/pudding in the mix
1 pkg (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate flavored instant pudding and pie filling
4 Eggs
1 C. Sour cream (any brand will do)
½ C. Oil
½ C. Water
1 8oz tub FROZEN cool whip/whipped topping
2 TBSP. sliced almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to *350 f. Grease two 9 inch round baking/cake pans.
Chop two of the chocolate squares, set aside (you can chop these fine, or leave chunks..I like the chunks)

Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, & water in a large bowl with an electric mixer, until just moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes (not 1 ½, but 2!). Stir in chopped chocolate squares. Spoon into prepared pans.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center, comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pans. Invert onto wire racks, gently remove from pans. Cool cake completely.

Place FROZEN cool whip/whipped topping and remaining 6 chocolate squares in microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes, or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth, stirring after 1 minute (it usually takes more that 1 ½ minutes for me. Check on it every 30 seconds or so, and stir). Let stand 15 minutes, to thicken.

Place 1 cake on serving plate, top with 1/4 of the chocolate mixture. Top that with the 2nd cake. Spread top and sides with remaining mixture. Garnish with Almonds and ENJOY!

Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day!

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Samantha
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