Today is definitely one of those "Black and White" days, an unusual occurrence for me. I tend to be "gray"( or I prefer original, unique or liberal) on a lot of matters, especially when it comes to cooking and baking. However, the other day I spotted an article in ProChefSmartBrief http://www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1207901777119000.xml&coll=2 about a barbecue restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama that is famous for its' chocolate cake, in addition to its' legendary barbecue offerings. So needless to say, this chocoholic had to check it out post haste. Well....... I was very surprised to learn that this "famous" chocolate cake made by the folks at Bob Sykes Bar -B-Q is from the recipe that has graced the back side of the Hershey's Cocoa can for many a year. And it is also topped with the accompanying recipe for "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting" found on the can as well. I was "numb", and then suddenly I was transported back to a time and place where I had actually eaten those same cupcakes and thought that life just couldn't get any better! I was probably 14 years old, but vividly remember one of my paper route customers offering these to me on a very cold and snowy night with a hot cup of Hershey's cocoa to wash them down. Now whether or not it is the same recipe that exists today, I do not know. However, I do know that my curiosity and my "chocolate" gene eventually drove me to the store to purchase a can of this "Americana" for further inspection. I was now obsessed with trying to recreate that magical moment, and also had to see for myself if this recipe would yield a chocolate cake worthy of all the public clamor. After all, I am regarded as somewhat of a chocolate expert, and Hershey has not been in my vocabulary since childhood. I had moved on to Ghiradelli, Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Lindt, and others, and no longer considered the "Father of the Hershey Kiss" as part of my repertoire. Rather stuffy of me I must admit, but....cold, honest reality........LOL. Well LONG story short.........I made those "magical" cupcakes, covered them with the famous frosting and set them out for tonight's weekly social. I'll let my guests decide for themselves. And, they will have another choice for this evening as well, namely "Martha Stewart's" Brown Butter Toffee Blondies. I always offer at least two dessert choices, and I thought these would be the perfect addition. Hence, the "Black and White" format I alluded to in the very beginning. God, it took forever to say all of that, but getting to the point sometimes can take me a Month of Sundays! So my friends, there you have it.............my ramblings for the day. The recipe for Martha's magnificent Blondies can be found in her newest book "Cookies" on page 208, and you know where to find the recipe for the chocolate cake and cupcakes. I "sampled" one of the cupcakes, AND..........................stay tuned. Let me know if you decide to recreate this "classic" recipe as well. We can compare notes.
