Let Them Eat Cake....for #SundaySupper

This month's Sunday Supper is hosted by Heather, of Hezzi D's Books and Cooks.  Heather chose the fun theme of Retro Foods for this week.  You know the foods that your mom or grandma used to make when you were a kid growing up in the 50's, 60's or 70's.....hey wait a minute....I was the mom making the food in the 70's!!!!  

Oh well....it is still a great theme and I am excited about it.  When I think of retro foods I think of growing up in the 50's.  The onset of tv dinners and processed foods.  The liberation of women from the kitchen into the workplace...or so they thought.....Now, many yearn to be back home full time, spending time in the kitchen and being able to make that processed food by scratch so it is healthier and an expression of their love.

But, as they say, the grass is always greener....so in the 50's we had an influx of  "convenience" foods and with them came recipes, often on the back of the package.  Most of these recipes were delicious and became standards in kitchens all over America.  Think Lipton Onion Soup Dip, Tollhouse Cookies, Jello Poke Cakes and Impossible Pies.  We have all made and/or enjoyed these dishes and some of them are still very popular to this day.  

When my kids were young, I bought a copy of Back of the Box Gourmet.  A cookbook that had compiled all of these recipes into one easy location.  I used this book for today's recipe challenge.

Life is lucky sometimes and as I was reading the event details for today's challenge, I got a text inviting us to a birthday celebration for our friend, Kim.  I immediately texted back volunteering to bring the cake and asking what flavor to which Kim responded "chocolate".  I went back into the cookbook and found this recipe that was posted on the back of Hellman's mayonnaise.  It was originally created in 1937 but I remember Mom making it when I was a kid.  

I adapted the recipe to make a 9x13" sheet cake as opposed to a 9" square.  I also hand grated the baking chocolate using a microplane grater....you know what I got?  Cocoa powder....do yourself a favor and just use cocoa powder, I have changed the recipe to reflect that as well.  I frosted it with a recipe also found in this book that I have included here for you.

This cake is moist and delicious with wonderful little bursts of surprise from the dates and nuts.

Please stop by the bottom of my post and check out all the other great retro foods included in this version of #Sunday Supper.

Original Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
adapted from Back of the Box Gourmet

1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 1/2 c. coarsely chopped dates
1 1/2 c. coarsely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
9 T. cocoa powder
3 c. unbleached all purpose flour

Prepare a 9x13" baking pan by spraying with baking spray or greasing and flouring.
In a small bowl, dissolve the soda in the hot water.  Stir in dates and nuts.
In a large bowl combine sugar and mayonnaise with a mixer set at low speed until combined.  Blend in cocoa powder and vanilla.  Add date mixture and beat until well mixed.  Gradually beat in flour until smooth.
Pour into prepared pan and bake in a preheated 350* oven for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  Print Recipe

No Cook Fudge Frosting
from Back of the Box Gourmet

2 c. confectioners sugar
1/2 c. chocolate syrup
1/4 c. cocoa
1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 t. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Blend well.  Use immediately.  Print Recipe


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Bodacious Breakfasts and Appetizers:

• Classic Chex Party Mix from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Crustless Quiche from Pancake Warriors
• Healthy Green Goddess Dip from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
• Homemade Donuts from Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Made in the Shade Main Dishes:

• Bacon and Cheese Individual Meatloaf from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Chicken ala King from Recipes Food and Cooking
• Chicken and Rice Casserole from Curious Cuisiniere
• Chicken Croquettes from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
• Chicken in a Basket from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Chicken Parisienne from Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
• Chicken Pot Pie from Whole Food | Real Families
• Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast from FoodieTots
• Creamy Baked Pork Chops from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Individual Beef Wellingtons from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Mom's Chicken Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuits from Simply Healthy Family
• Mom's Shepherd's Pie from Momma's Meals
• Ravioli di Magro from Manu's Menu
• Retro Skinny Cheese Fondue from European Cutie
• Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy from Webicurean
• Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
• Tuna Noodle Casserole from Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Uptown Goulash from Family Foodie

Swell Side Dishes:

• Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Topping from NeighborFood
• Creamy Lime Gelatin Salad from Magnolia Days
• Harvard Beets from Take A Bite Out Of Boca
• Retro Crockpot Crabby Soup from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Seven Layer Salad from Lifestyle Food Artistry
• Southern Coconut Ambrosia from The Weekend Gourmet
• Wedge Salad from Our Good Life

Dreamy Desserts:

• Bananas Foster from The Redhead Baker
• Creamsicle Jello Mold from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl
• Hummingbird Cream Cheese Cookies from Dandelion Greens
• Jello Poke Cake from The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Mom's Heath Bar Cake from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Old Fashioned Banana Pudding from Pies and Plots
• One, Two, Three Jello from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Original Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake with No Cook Fudge Frosting from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Eat, Drink and be Tracy
• Raspberry Crunch from Peaceful Cooking
• Tunnel of Fudge Cake from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

The Bee's Knees Beverages:

• Crème de Menthe Parfait from Food Lust People Love
• Side Car from Nosh My Way
• Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned from The Texan New Yorker