Many, many years ago the Visitation Cake was a staple in my kitchen. You made it to take to pot luck dinners, to someone who has just had a baby or came home from the hospital. You made it for your family when you wanted something sweet but didn't have time to make a cake. This was back in the old days when you actually MADE a cake, not poured it out of a box. After you have made it a time or two you can make it from start to finish including mixing, baking and icing in about 35 minutes.My daughter-in-law Betsy made it one time to take to work. Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe. She told them that it was an old family recipe and she could not give it out. Smart girl. Everyone requested her chocolate cake whenever they were having some luncheon or event. She would hem and haw about how much trouble it was but would take it.
Betsy made it again for Father's Day. While it is an "old family recipe." I'll pass the recipe on to you.
Visitation Cake
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
Bring to a simmer until butter and shortening are melted. Stir to mix in the cocoa.
In a mixing bowl put
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
Stir to mix
Pour chocolate mixture over flour and sugar and mix to incorporate.
Add
1/2 cup buttermilk that has 1 teaspoon baking soda stirred into it.
Mix until incorporated.
Pour into a 9x13 pyrex dish that has been buttered and floured.
Bake for 25 minutes in 400 degree oven.
Topping
In a small sauce pan add
1 stick butter.
4 or 5 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
Bring to a simmer until butter is melted and stir to smooth cocoa into mixture.
Put one box powdered sugar in a mixing bowl
Add the chocolate mixture and mix until smooth.
Add 1 tsp vanilla
Add 1/2 to 1 cup pecans
Pour over the hot cake after you remove it from the oven.
Grandson Will likes it with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. He dug in before I could get the camera.
6 comments:
WOW! That "visitation cake" and icing has more butter and sugar in they my household eats in a month. No wonder it taste so good.
P'taker
You are right but it is very good and easy to make.
This is truly an old fashioned cake recipe. It reminds me of one I used to make when I was a teenager but without the fancy icing. I think it's a great idea to keep the recipe a secret. Thanks for sharing. I think this will go to my next potluck. To hell with calories and fat grams!
I have the same recipe, but we call it a sheath cake. Maybe it used to be called a sheet cake since my version is made in a sheet pan, who knows. It is delicious no matter what the name.
I am a terrible baker but will absolutely try this delightful recipe. I did think this cake was going to have something to do with Mary and Elizabeth. But this is better.
Jonna and Jillian, Let me know how it turns out. Someone wrote me about what to use in Mexico instead of the shortening and I think I'd try the manteca.
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