Tag Archives: easy dessert

This wonderful cake recipe is courtesy of my Uncle John.  He has made this cake for family gatherings for years now and it is one of my favorites.  I think I’d have tried it sooner if I’d known how EASY it is.  There’s nothing better than a really easy dessert that looks this fancy!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 boxed chocolate cake mix- I like Duncan Hines!  (with oil/eggs/water to make according to directions)
• 2 packets of Dream Whip (I’d never heard of this– it comes in a box and was near the jello/pudding boxes at the grocery.  There are 4 packets per box, and if you order them in a 6-pack at Amazon they are much cheaper than in the store.)
• 3/4 c. milk
• 1 t. vanilla
• 3T. cocoa powder
• 3T. powdered sugar
• one container of pre-made chocolate frosting.

DIRECTIONS:

• Make cake mix according to box and bake in 2 – 8 or 9 inch round pans (I cut parchment paper to fit and place it in the bottom of each pan so that it comes out easier).
• Cool cakes completely on a wire rack and while they are cooling make your mousse.
• Put Dream Whip, milk, vanilla, cocoa powder and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and blend together.
• Using a mixer, beat until stiff peaks form (3-4 minutes)
• Scoop chocolate frosting into a microwave safe bowl and heat for only about 20-30 seconds in the microwave.  Heat until frosting is melted into a hot fudge consistency.
• Use a large serrated knife to level your two cakes.
• Place 1st cake on serving plate, leveled edge up.
• Pour about 1/4 of melted frosting on top of cake and spread to cover (I put this layer in the fridge for about a minute just to cool the warm frosting down before adding the mousse layer)
• Spoon all of the mousse on top of the cake and spread it ALMOST to the edges.
• Top with second cake– put the leveled edge against the mousse…this keeps all the crumbs in the middle and leaves a nice flat surface on the top of your cake. Gently press top layer down to squeeze the mousse all the way to the edges.
• Pour the rest of the melted frosting over the entire cake and let it drip over the edges.
• Refrigerate until serving.

My thoughts:  WHO KNEW you could melt frosting and make such a wonderful fudge-like topping?  Learn something new every day.  Uncle John sometimes adds peppermint extract to the mousse– so yummy– and I had the thought while I was making this that a layer of raspberry preserves somewhere in the middle would be amazing.  I think you will just love this mousse.  It is so creamy and flavorful.  

If you live in Africa and cant find Dream Whip PLEASE don’t ask me what to substitute– I have no idea what this stuff is…it’s MAGIC and I love it!   

Curiosity got he better of me…. here’s what Dream Whip is: click here  (I still think it’s magic.)

Enjoy this recipe friends!  Thanks for the inspiration Uncle John!!!   -r