Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar (or maple syrup)
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup water (or milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

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 into a greased and floured layer cake pan (or 9x13 pan).  

Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.  Frost if you like, but good plain.

~ Thanks goes to my sister for this recipe via email.  It's a recipe similar to the one that has been in the family for many years.  My dad's sister used to make mayonnaise cake and everybody loved it! ~

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.  Set aside.  Combine butter and brown suger in large bowl and beat at medium speed with mixer until fluffy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Beat in vanilla.  Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until stiff dough forms.  Place powdered sugar in shallow dish.  Roll dough into balls, about 2 level teaspoons each.  Toss in powdered sugar to coat, shaking off excess.  Place about 1 inch apart on baking sheets.  Bake 8 - 10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned on the bottoms and have crackled appearance on top.  Cool on wire racks.  Cookies can be stored in airtight container for up to 3 days.  Makes about 52 cookies.

~ I found this recipe in a magazine and thought it looked pretty simple so I decided to try them.  I made these over the holidays and they were like little heavenly balls of fudge.  A total delight! ~