This flashback to the Fifties is a perfect dessert for the upcoming Easter festivities. The mayonnaise creates a moist, tender crumb and the sprinkles add Spring flair.
I first shared this cake with you in 2015. You can see the original post here. When the topic for Our Family Table was retro recipes I decided to share it again. Google made some changes to their formats and the recipe I had on the original post is no longer printable. I have since started redoing recipe cards for my older posts and this was a great opportunity to give this post a facelift.
Before I share my recipe and story, let's see what the others brought to this Retro Party........
Retro Recipes
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with No Cook Fudge Frosting from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Kielbasa and Cabbage from Art of Natural Living
- Lighter Waldorf Salad from That Recipe
- One Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Porcupine Meatballs from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Quiche Lorraine from Jen Around the World
- Tunnel of Fudge Cake from Hezzi-D's Recipe Box
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During the 50's, when I was young, 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 standard fare 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; some are still very popular today.
When my kids were young, back in the 70's, I bought a copy of Back of the Box Gourmet. A cookbook that had compiled all of these recipes into one easy location. This recipe was adapted from two found in this book.
Yield: 12 servings
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with No Bake Fudge Frosting
This flashback to the Fifties is a perfect dessert for the upcoming Easter festivities. The mayonnaise creates a moist, tender crumb and the sprinkles add Spring flair.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 1 Hour
Ingredients
Cake
- 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
Frosting
- 2 c. confectioners sugar
- 1/2 c. chocolate syrup
- 1/4 c. cocoa
- 1/4 c. melted butter
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- Sprinkles, if desired
Instructions
Cake
- 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.
Frosting
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Blend well. Use immediately.
- Spread frosting over top of cake. Add sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
Recipes adapted from Back of the Box Gourmet
Nutrition Facts
Calories
711.79Fat (grams)
35.75 gSat. Fat (grams)
7.25 gCarbs (grams)
96.98 gFiber (grams)
5.78 gNet carbs
91.18 gSugar (grams)
63.87 gProtein (grams)
7.61 gSodium (milligrams)
379.2 mgCholesterol (grams)
21.93 mgProperty of A Day in the Life on the Farm
This is a delicious looking cake with the dates and walnuts and the idea to use mayonnaise certainly makes it easy!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good! That cookbook sounds so fun too! I definitely grew up on all of those kinds of dishes!
ReplyDeleteYes, happy food memories.
DeleteMy Mom used to make a chocolate mayo cake when I was young. It was so good. Yours looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt is and it's an easy recipe too.
DeleteI haven't had this cake in years but it's so moist and yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing cake. Thanks Heather.
DeleteI love your list (from you and others) of retro dishes! I’ve heard about mayo in a cake, but never knowingly have tried it. I’m surprised that it doesn’t start with a cake mix, as so many did in the 50s and after.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Yes, the 50's were the age of convenience foods.
DeleteI remember the big sheet cake pans of chocolate cake from my youth! Everyone loved them!
ReplyDeleteYes, so good.
DeleteI've never made a mayo cake. The mayo probably makes it super moist and delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt sure does, Chris.
Delete