Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake: Don't Knock It Till You've Tried It

I had never heard of chocolate mayonnaise cake until I met my husband Matt, and when it was first mentioned I admit I was totally grossed out. Don't get me wrong...I like mayonnaise. It is great on a turkey sandwich, in potato salad, and slather on a chicken burger. However, the thought of mayonnaise and chocolate together sounded completely wrong...until I tasted it for myself.

Hazel and Rick's 34th Wedding Anniversary

This is the most moist and flavorful chocolate cake I have EVER eaten. The recipe comes from my father-in-law's childhood best friend's mother, Flo Howe of Beacon Falls, Connecticut. It is a Kopishke family staple for birthdays and other family celebrations. If you think about it mayonnaise is mostly eggs and oil which you would use in a standard cake recipe anyway...so it really isn't that far off. I have made this cake for the students in my classroom and received RAVE reviews...of course I don't tell them it is made with mayonnaise until after they have eaten it!

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Cake
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 c. water
2 t. vanilla extract
2 pinches of salt
4 c. flour
8 T. unsweetened cocoa
3 t. baking soda

Frosting
5 T. flour
1 c. milk
1 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar

Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined (I use my Kitchen Aid mixer).
3. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth.
4. Pour batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Note: This week I made cupcakes and they were just as moist and delicious as a cake!

Frosting
1. Cook flour and milk in a small saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir until it becomes a thick paste. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Combine flour mixture and other ingredients in a medium size bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.