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
EASYBAKED 
Thank your uncle for me as well.. what a fantastic looking cake. I haven’t used Dream Whip for years and look at what it can do! I also loved your melted frosting idea!
This is gorgeous slice of cake! I really wish I had a piece right now. I’m definitely saving this recipe to try soon. Winner!
Will your Uncle adopt me as a niece 😉 YUMMY!!!!
Looks absolutely delicious!!
Oh that’s soooo pretty!
This looks so indulgent, i will definitely make it at the next at the next birthday!
Thanks!! Enjoy!
Thnx for stopping by my blog! This cake looks fabulous! Hope you don’t mind if I take a look around, don’t worry I wiped my feet at the door! 😉
Lol- make yourself at home! I enjoyed browsing through all your wonderful cupcake flavors!
I’m so glad! =) I’m hoping orders will start picking up soon!
That is one good looking cake! Love the idea of a mousse filling… adds elegance and tastiness 🙂
Looking at that cake, NO ONE would ever think that it started with mixes. That is a beautiful creation. And I bet it was pretty dang tasty, too!
Cakes mixes are wonderful things…I’ve tried so many from-scratch cake recipes and I still like cake-mix cake best! My catering and baking friends all agree- spend your time on the toppings and fillings and decoration- not the cake 🙂 YOUR blog is fun– it’s like a food party with everyone linking in! Thanks for visiting!
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This is not good for my New Year’s resolution, but I plan to try it anyway, it looks too good to pass up.
What a ingenious idea!!!! It was so easy
Thanks! All credit to Uncle John though! I was surprised at how easy it was too- it has become my new “can you bring something for dessert?” go-to 🙂
Great recipe! After the icing has cooled, does it go back to the same consistency?
Many thanks
It actually gets like a yummy fudge consistency…not like frosting anymore…better!
Ok, thanks for your prompt response. Cheers!
Sure! I love this cake so much…just talking about the frosting makes me want to make it again…lol- hope you love it!
I think the equivalent of Dream whip here in South Africa is called Orley whip.
Thanks for the info!!!
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Hello. I love your website!! I have a question. In this recepie you said that dream whip comes with 4 envelopes. I found them just with 2 envelopes (73 g) 2.6 0z. Whta is the proportion for this recepie using this amount. I have no idea how much is your 4 envelopes box. Thank you in advance!!!
Hi! The envelopes in the 2 pack and 4 pack boxes are exactly the same size. You still need to use 2 envelopes of the Dream Whip, so you will use both envelopes in your 2-pack box. Enjoy!!!
Can this be used at a bake sale or an event where it might be sitting out awhile?
It’s fine at room temp, but if it would be sitting out in the heat I think the filling would get soft and your layers might shift.