This recipe bakes in a 9″ square pan making it a great choice for a smaller family or one or two people. You can use any frosting you wish; chocolate, vanilla buttercream, or peanut butter are good choices, but my favorite pairing with this cake is Penuche frosting. Penuche is a sort of fudge with a caramel flavor made with brown sugar, butter and milk – this frosting is all that in spreadable form.
There no eggs or oil listed for this recipe because the mayonnaise provides them. NOTE: Use only full fat mayonnaise in this recipe, not low fat or fat free to obtain the correct results.
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Penuche Frosting
Course: DessertCuisine: Coal Region, Pa. DutchDifficulty: IntermediateIngredients
2 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vinegar
1 cup Mayonnaise (Use only full fat mayonnaise, not low fat or fat free)
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Cold Water
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
frosting
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar (or as need to make desired consistency)
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the water, mayonnaise, vinegar and vanilla until well blended. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder until lumps are gone, stir in baking soda. Make a well in the center and add the liquid mixture. Stir until well blended.
- Pour into well greased 9 x 9-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely and frost.
- Penuche Frosting
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in half-and-half and salt and return to a boil, continuing to stir.
- Remove the caramel from the heat and allow to cool to lukewarm, then add vanilla.
- Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar with an electric mixer until smooth, being careful not to over-beat. If the frosting becomes too thick, hot water can be added to thin it out.
- Spread over cooled cake.
- Allow the frosting to set before serving, about 15 minutes.
Notes
- Use only full fat mayonnaise in this recipe to obtain the correct results., not low fat or fat free.