Chase's Birthday, and Mmmm...Cake!!

Chase had his first birthday this last week!! Wahoo!! He is now officially a big boy! It wasn't anything eventful or spectacular, but we had presents and some birthday cake a few days later.


But the cake!!! Oh my, it is quite the cake. My mother-in-law sent me an email with some recipes from a friend and there was this one for a Fudgy Raspberry Torte. I haven't been baking much (can't stomach much sweets lately) but I decided to give it a try. It's very good, but very rich and it makes a BIG, heavy cake!! Here's the recipe for it:

1 pkg. chocolate fudge or Devils food camke mix

1 1/3 C. water

3 eggs

1/3 c. vegetable oil

3/4 c. chocolate chips, divided

3/4 c. ground pecans (I left them out, not a nut fan)

1 1/2 c. cold milk

1 pkg. (3.9 oz) instant chocolate fudge or chocolate pudding mix

1/2 c. seedless raspberry jam (I just used the jam I already had with seeds and it was fine)

1 1/2 c. whipped topping

1/4 c. powder sugar

1/2 tsp almond flavoring

1/4 c. finely chopped pecans

Fresh raspberries

In mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, water, eggs and oil; mix well. Add 1/4 c. chocolate chips and ground pecans; stir until combined. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9 in. round baking pans. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes or until thickened. In a sauce pan melt jam. Brush over the top of each cake. Place one cake on a serving plate, spread with half of the pudding. Repeat layers. Top with third cake layer; spread top with whipped topping mixed with powdered sugar and almond flavoring. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Garnish with raspberries. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 12 servings.

*The recipes doesn't call for Oreos, but I add some crushed Oreos between the layers when you spread the pudding and then also all over the top and sides. I thought it added some good texture.

(The cake looks crooked here, and it very well could be crooked, but I'm pretty sure I had the camera at an angle. =) )