Chocolate Bavarian Torte [recipe]

I am not much of a cook.  I don't cook for enjoyment. I cook for survival.  My kids need to eat and they're too young to use the stove, so I cook.  Most of my siblings got the cooking gene; they can just throw something together or improvise as they go.  Me: I study the recipe, follow it closely, yet still manage to turn out blah, but thankfully edible, meals.  My friend can make just about anything out of nothing, and then use the leftovers from that to make another whole meal and it all is delicious.  How does that work?  You can read about her magic at http://whatididfordinnerlastnight.blogspot.com/.  I've tried copying her, it doesn't work.  Its just in her blood.

I do sometimes enjoy baking. Mostly desserts.  Which is odd since I don't have much of a sweet tooth. Regardless, October is over (thank goodness!) and so a celebration is in order.  Bring on the cake.

Ingredients:

1 box plain devil's food cake mix (with OUT pudding in the mix - harder to find)

1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese softened

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 pint whipping cream (whipped)

2 Tbsps chocolate shavings or chips (we used mini chocolate chips) for topping

I recommend you check your fridge/pantry/cabinets for all these items.  Especially for the required ingredients for preparing the devil's food cake.  This might require 3 eggs.  You might only have 1 egg.  Then you might have to run to the grocery store, kids in tow, hoping you can get eggs and get out and back home in 15 minutes or less.  Its possible that on this quick trip to get eggs you might make the mistake of walking past the Halloween clearance aisle and hear a little voice reminding you that you said you would buy some Halloween decorations when they went on sale.  Darn those kids and their selective memory.

So two hours later...Prepare and bake the cake according to the package instructions (you do have oil and eggs, right?).  Get your cream cheese out to soften and whip the cream.  The boys thought the mixer was magical as they watched the 'milk' turn fluffy.

Mix the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt until fluffy.  Fold in the whipped cream.

 Once your cakes are cool split each one in two (using dental floss makes it easy easier)

Place one layer of cake on a serving platter and spread with the cream mixture.  Repeat layers and top with with mini chocolate chips.  Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or overnight.  Thanks to our extended Halloween aisle tour it looks like I've got one heck of a breakfast treat for tomorrow morning instead of dessert for dinner tonight (sorry Phil).

What are you having for breakfast?  ;) 

This recipe can be found at http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Bavarian-Torte/Detail.aspx


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