Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

 

I searched and searched to try and find information about the exact origins of Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake, but could not find one real definite thing about it.  What I do know is this:  chocolate mayonnaise cake was created around WWII, at a time when eggs and oil were being rationed.  Using the mayonnaise in place of those two items was the perfect way to still be able to enjoy a wonderfully, moist chocolate cake.  And this cake is wonderful and it is unbelievably moist!

When Chris and I first started dating, he talked about this chocolate mayo cake that his mom would make.  Now, my mom made a chocolate zucchini cake, and for some reason I want to say she made a mayo cake too, but for some reason the zucchini cake stands out more.  (Mom, if you are reading this...did you ever make a chocolate mayo cake?  I think you did, but my memory is not what it used to be, so please help me out here!!)  Anyway, so I quickly did a search online and found this recipe.  I LOVE this cake.  This is one of the best chocolate cakes out there.  It's just really moist and luscious and very simple to make.  I've made this batter and used it for a layered cake before... I've made this batter and used it for cupcakes.  Both ways were delicious..and of course, this cake really does not need frosting...but come one.. it's cream cheese frosting, doesn't that go with just about any kind of cake???

Now I did do something a tad bit different this time.  This time I made it with a small amount of black onyx cocoa powder.  Although, the addition of the darker cocoa made the cake a little less moist (due to less fat in the cocoa), it was a wonderful way to give the cake an even richer, decadent look to it.  I was recently introduced to this wonderful product by Andrea the Kitchen Witch.  She posted an awesome Death By Chocolate Cookies.  OMG did they look amazing!  But what really interested me, was that she used black onyx cocoa powder.  Honestly, I had never even heard of it before.  So, after reading about it and seeing her cookies, I immediately got on the Savory Spice website and ordered some.  I would probably not use this again in this cake, but I would use it, believe me.  It's like a really dark unsweetened cocoa powder...and wonderful little change to the regular cocoa powder.  I'm thinking of using it in either cookies or brownies next.... unless someone has a better idea???

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Recipe courtesy About.com
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.  Sift together the flour, cocoa, soda and salt.  Cream together the sugar, mayonnaise, water, and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; stir until well blended.  Pour batter into 2 greased and floured layer cake pans  or 1 9x13-inch pan.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the middle of the cake comes out clean.  Enjoy!

(P.S...that's cream cheese frosting on top...4 oz of cream cheese mixed with about 1-2 cups powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.  If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar)

 

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