Texas Ranch Cake (Chocolate Sour Cream Cake) with Homemade Fudge Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a saucepan combine 1 cup water, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, and 1 1/2 ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate. Bring the mixture to a boil then remove pan from heat and place mixture into a large mixing bowl. Blend with a mixer and add 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add in the 2 eggs and beat well. Then add the sour cream and mix well. Once combined add 1 teaspoon of good vanilla.

Evenly divide the mixture into two 9-inch round baking pans. Try to make them even. Then bake for 20-25 minutes. Make sure center is cooked through by testing with toothpick or fork. If it comes out clean, then the cake is ready. Take them out of them oven and let cakes cool. Then once they are cooled they are ready for frosting.

2. For the frosting: In saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, 6 tablespoons milk, and 1 1/2 ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and place into a large mixing bowl. Beat in 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar. Then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Let frosting set up for 10-15 minutes before you put it onto the cakes. Stir it first then frost. Place 1st cake upside down on your platter so you have an even top. Pour some of frosting on, spread it to the edges of the cake then place 2nd cake right side up on top of the first. Then frost entire cake and sides.

3. Optional: Decorate with candied nuts. I used chopped pecans. For the recipe see “Candied Nuts” here at TastyKitchen under appetizers/snacks by Mommiecooks December 2010 entry.

Note: You can make this cake into a sheet cake instead of a 2 tiered cake by using 15.25 X 10.25 X .75 inch baking sheet for same amount of cooking time 20-25 minutes at 350 F. If you make it into the sheet cake frost it while it is still warm. Also note you can put any type of your favorite chopped nuts on top—walnuts, cashews, pecans, etc. And they don’t have to be candied. If you don’t like nuts omit them. That is how my mom and I made it when I was growing up.