Chocolate Chip Pound Cake for Breakfast? YES

Happy Labor Day!

We originally had plans to go to the lake today, but it's rainy here in Atlanta which doesn't mesh well with being on a boat. Instead we're having a nice relaxing day at home, watching Dexter and reading (some of us are also playing video games--you know who you are). 

Before we got word that the lake trip was cancelled, I had put a Chocolate Chip Pound Cake in the oven. For a second I freaked out and worried that we'd have a whooole cake to ourselves, but the day was saved! It worked out perfectly because we finally caught up on True Blood yesterday and were able to attend our first True Blood Party at Mari & Holly's house, so the cake was obviously welcomed with open arms mouths. We had lots of fun drinking, eating, and watching vampires do vampire stuff. Now we're looking forward to the finale next week!

It was hard for me to decide whether or not to blog about this recipe, because it's one of my favorite and most requested birthday/party items. I kind of feel like if I tell you all my secrets, no one will invite me anywhere because they have no use for me anymore...but then I realize that I live half a country away from most of you and the likelihood of me bringing baked goods to your parties is slim to none anyway. So I decided to share this amazingly delicious recipe with you, trusting that you will still want to hang out with me even if you know all my baking secrets.

The only real secret about this cake is that its base is a butter cake mix (meaning that it's easy). Even though I was the baker at a cupcake shop that truly does make everything from scratch, and I've been baking for my whole life...sometimes a cake mix (or brownie mix) really does the trick. One of the worst things in the world is a pretentious cook or baker, and I have no qualms about admitting that quite a few of my favorite recipes have a box base. I don't think it means you're a bad baker if you sometimes a mix. Really, it's ok.

I usually bake this cake in a decorative bundt pan like this one. Since the move, we have markedly less storage in our kitchen, and there are still quite a few boxes holding specialty pans and other kitchen gadgets in our sunroom. I looked for my decorative bundt pan, but sadly could only find my angel food cake pan, which is much less attractive. The good part is, the cake still tasted super yums and no one thought twice about eating it. 

Here's what you'll need:

First, I add the cake mix and the chocolate pudding to a bowl.

And I whir it up a little to get the initial chunks out.

Next, add the water,

And the oil. Then beat the mixture on low for a few seconds until mostly incorporated.

Next add the eggs. I do add them directly to the bowl, because I've cracked a lot of eggs and I trust myself, and because I'm a rebel. Beat them in.

Next, add the sour cream. I realize this may look and sound a bit unappetizing to some, but sour cream makes cakes (and donuts) unbelievably moist and tasty. You'll see.

The sour cream will really lighten the batter and make it fluffy and creamy. Beat everything until incorporated, leaving out only the chocolate chips. Scrape the sides of the bowl well.

Finally, fold in the chocolate chips just until incorporated.

Your batter will look like this.

Now pour the batter into a greased and floured bundt pan (as I mentioned, mine is an angel food cake pan with an attached bottom--NOT the removable bottom kind). Turn the pan while you're pouring to evenly distribute the batter.

Smooth the batter out with your spatula, then pick up & drop the pan a couple of times (from a foot or so off the counter) to get any air bubbles out. This will be loud, and your dog and cat will probably be scared. Do it anyway.

Bake the cake at 350F for around an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It will come out looking like this.

Let it finish cooking in the pan for around 15 minutes, then invert it onto your cake plate. 

Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting OR covering. It can be served with chocolate syrup and/or a sprinkling of powdered sugar if you want to get crazy.

This cake is unbelievably moist and delicious. Everyone loves it, and I've been guilty of eating it for breakfast regularly. Judge me, it is amazing.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Ingredients:
1 Box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 8 oz. sour cream
1 small box fudge instant pudding
6 oz. milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips chips. Mix well. When batter is mixed, fold in chocolate chips. Pour into a greased & floured bundt pan and bake at 325F for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

So there you have it. Not including the hour this cake takes to bake, I'd say prep time is less than 20 minutes. It's a really impressive cake, and I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like it. As Thomas put it, "it's good for people who like chocolate or cake." Pretty sure that covers everyone.

Earlier in the week I mentioned that we were extras in a movie. We went back to work on the same movie again Friday, and this time the day was longer and much more tiring. We did meet some fun people though, and we got paid...so I think it evens out. Hopefully I'll be able to give you more details about what we actually did pretty soon.

When we came home from a long day of work (7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m), we went to check on the litter box situation in the bathroom. Progress has been made! We discovered a strange, cat poop (from now on CP because it's less gross) like substance in the toilet! Since then we've seen the same substance 3 times--so we're hoping that's a good thing. We haven't even gotten to that point in the training--right now we're still getting Charlotte used to walking around on the open toilet seat, and using it to jump into the box--but we'll take what we can get.

The litter box has continued to get higher, and the next step is moving the box directly over the toilet. We'll be doing that early this week, and of course I'll keep you updated. We've now met/heard of at least two people who have really done this, so there is hope for us!

 Jack always brushes his teeth after eating cake!

-T, K, J, & C