tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post112309080966761797..comments2024-03-14T05:55:13.709-05:00Comments on Farmgirl Fare: Chocolate Cake Emergency & My Favorite Easy Chocolate Loaf Cake RecipeFarmgirl Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-30035313104515375732016-07-02T07:56:54.483-05:002016-07-02T07:56:54.483-05:00I love this recipe so much and make it a lot! It ...I love this recipe so much and make it a lot! It does have a lot of fat in it, so I've found that by adding an additional 2 T. of flour, the middle does not sink. I guess it provides a bit more structure. Not that the sinking matters, but I have found this works to make it look very pretty and yummy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-6154308347799406362012-03-30T23:45:56.780-05:002012-03-30T23:45:56.780-05:00I enjoyed reading this post very much! Realized w...I enjoyed reading this post very much! Realized we finally made it to 2012! I love your blog about farm life and it definitely takes me back to my grandmother's little farm when I was a child (a hundred yrs ago!).<br /><br />Chocolate is my most favorite food group in the entire world and I think I heard the weather man say there is a chance of a chocolate emergency on tomorrow's horizon! Thanks to you, I will be prepared!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-43111292497098754672012-01-17T09:26:58.830-06:002012-01-17T09:26:58.830-06:00Hi Mary,
I'm sure buttermilk would probably wo...<b>Hi Mary,</b><br />I'm sure buttermilk would probably work, but since it's not nearly as thick as yogurt or sour cream, you might want to use a little less.<br /><br />If you do make a buttermilk version, I hope you'll come back and let us know how it turns out! :)Farmgirl Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-47004832410608548142012-01-16T21:50:58.836-06:002012-01-16T21:50:58.836-06:00Can I sub buttermilk for the sour cream/yogurt?Can I sub buttermilk for the sour cream/yogurt?Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15639461996451943625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-86904177229804658572011-03-23T17:49:29.211-05:002011-03-23T17:49:29.211-05:00Love it here, sure wish I never left Missouri and ...Love it here, sure wish I never left Missouri and envy your wisdom. I also am a california/West Coast girl who moved to MO, but ended up on a ranch in Wyoming about 5 years ago, I sure wish I hadn't done that.Kathleen Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-18334115743223974822011-01-31T13:44:31.583-06:002011-01-31T13:44:31.583-06:00Even though I am reading this 5 years after you wr...Even though I am reading this 5 years after you wrote it, I laughed at the "emergency" post. I have been reading your blog off and on for the past couple years and this passage reminded me of when I baked and catered while my children were younger. I used to bake potato rolls every day for a restaurant so I would wake up and start at 3:30am for the head chef's pick up at 8:00am. That progressed into designer cinnamon rolls, strudels and then baked goods for a tea shop and ultimately catering large events such as weddings. Many of my emergencies became new inventions.... It brought back fond memories. I am definitely going to try this chocolate cake tonight as it is starting to feel like a "chocolate emergency"Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13537822352564762958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-91120010395268753972011-01-23T22:50:46.796-06:002011-01-23T22:50:46.796-06:00Hi Susan! I have to tell you that I've been e...Hi Susan! I have to tell you that I've been enjoying your blog immensely! It's gotten me baking again (which I really love to do.) I've made this cake a few times now, and love the recipe. This time I added about a cup, or so, of frozen raspberries to the batter. Heaven.<br /><br />Thanks!Megannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-80736202272768116952010-10-14T06:31:09.039-05:002010-10-14T06:31:09.039-05:00Great recipe for life's emergencies...made it ...Great recipe for life's emergencies...made it and it was very good. Love your recipes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-90444231624610558512010-06-23T14:08:37.600-05:002010-06-23T14:08:37.600-05:00My cakes are baked (thanks for the warning about t...My cakes are baked (thanks for the warning about them sinking in the middle - I was a little worried). I'm planning on serving them for dessert with fresh raspberries and freshly, but softly, whiped cream, maybe a grating of chocolate over all.Mary Anne Weningernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-40846501920391377682009-11-01T19:52:01.072-06:002009-11-01T19:52:01.072-06:00...but in case of a LIFE THREATENING Chocolate Cak......but in case of a LIFE THREATENING Chocolate Cake Emergency, which means you're out of eggs and butter, and have only 5 minutes to muck around in the kitchen, you can do the following (Trust me!):<br /><br />Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp salt.<br /><br />Make a large, a medium, and a small hole in the pile of ingredients, and pour into them, respectively: 5 Tbsp oil, 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 tsp vanilla. Then pour a cup of cold water (or cold coffee, if you have it) over it all and mix it until it's mixed. <br /><br />Pour it into a greased 9 x 9 x 2" pan and bake it at 350 F for 30 minutes while you resume CPR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-68395078868184682852008-02-14T21:04:00.000-06:002008-02-14T21:04:00.000-06:00I finally had a chocolate emergency, here on Valen...I finally had a chocolate emergency, here on Valentine's day. It was amazing.Bridgetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12843150280542615265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-11119080928899739702007-10-26T21:20:00.000-05:002007-10-26T21:20:00.000-05:00Hi! I am new to your site this week. I've tried ...Hi! I am new to your site this week. I've tried your spinach soup receipe and the chocolate cake emergency. Both were terrific. My cake fell in the middle but that's probably because I opened the oven door early on. opps! It's still delicious!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-14622162646583071222007-04-25T20:27:00.000-05:002007-04-25T20:27:00.000-05:00if I have a choc emergency, I will make this batte...if I have a choc emergency, I will make this batter, put half as much in each muffin tin, bake them and when they are cool-put fresh whipped cream on top! Then, I might sprinkle some choc chips or rainbow sprinkles or even M&M's!marygeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12530489661197453297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1157506163358532142006-09-05T20:29:00.000-05:002006-09-05T20:29:00.000-05:00First aid Kits are some of the most important item...First aid Kits are some of the most important items that you can keep around. <A HREF="http://www.first-aid-kit.net" REL="nofollow">First Aid Kits</A> are absolutely essential to maintaining a good preparation in the face of emergencies.ucutiger95https://www.blogger.com/profile/12594853802653991661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123640771995908942005-08-09T21:26:00.000-05:002005-08-09T21:26:00.000-05:00Emily,You're very welcome!Hi Lori,Welcome to the f...Emily,<BR/>You're very welcome!<BR/><BR/>Hi Lori,<BR/>Welcome to the farm! And to the Chocolate Cake Emergency Club! I'm so glad you found us. And just remember--you are not alone (as you can see by the other members' comments). Though you might want to be once you have one of these chocolate cakes in front of you. : ) Enjoy!Farmgirl Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123637814580338362005-08-09T20:36:00.000-05:002005-08-09T20:36:00.000-05:00Oh, my god. I had no idea that anyone else had cho...Oh, my god. I had no idea that anyone else had chocolate cake emergencies (although now that I think of it, it seems stupid of me to have assumed I was the only one). I found your blog through Eggbeater, and boy am I glad I did! I'm copying down the recipe now so I'll be ready next time an emergency... well, emerges.LoriHChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13794359715369282915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123513577538468632005-08-08T10:06:00.000-05:002005-08-08T10:06:00.000-05:00Susan,Thank you kindly for the information! Those ...Susan,<BR/>Thank you kindly for the information! Those terrors seem to be gone for now, but we'll know what to do next time. We thought we had gotten rid of them once, but they showed up a second time. It's good to know some natural remedies to try. Much appreciated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123433771597154322005-08-07T11:56:00.000-05:002005-08-07T11:56:00.000-05:00Hi Emily,I'm baaaack. I was so sorry to hear about...Hi Emily,<BR/>I'm baaaack. I was so sorry to hear about your blister beetle invasion. You're right; they are vicious--and <I>ravenous</I>. They can destroy your entire garden in a couple of days. <BR/><BR/>For those fortunate readers who are not familiar with blister beetles, here is a little background information on them, taken from one of my very favorite books, <I><B>Organic Plant Protection</B></I>, published by Rodale Press.<BR/><BR/>"The black blister beetle, also known as the Yankee bug and just plain "blister beetle". . . is a fairly long (up to 3/4") and slender beetle, with soft, flexible wing covers. The entire body is black or dark gray, and the covers may be marked with white stripes or margins. Another species, the margined blister beetle, is distinguished by a narrow gray or yellow margin on the covers. Blister beetles are very active, and frequently appear in large numbers in the latter part of June and through July.<BR/><BR/>"Handpicking is effective in controlling this pest, but you should protect your hands with gloves, as the beetles discharge a caustic fluid that is harmful to the skin. Some growers achieve control by dusting with equal parts lime and flour. This should be done at the warmest time of the day.<BR/><BR/>"Blister beetles are usually found in swarms or colonies feeding on the blossoms and foliage of any of a number of garden and field crops--vegetables, vines, trees, and flowers."<BR/><BR/>We have both species mentioned here--the black/grey and the lighter ones. Last year both were out in force, and it was terrible. What they don't completely devour, they ruin with their icky black droppings. I didn't know about that lime/flour solution until reading it just now. It sounds interesting. I would start with that as it is very safe. Look for lime at a feed/farm supply store or nursery or garden center--it is very inexpensive. Last year I ordered some Liquid Rotenone-Pyrethrins Concentrated Spray from <A HREF="http://gardensalive.com" REL="nofollow"><B>Gardens Alive</B></A>. They are a great company that sells all kinds of natural fertilizers, insecticides, etc. They also have a mail order catalog available. Rotenone <I>is</I> natural, but it is pretty strong stuff--usually a last resort option for organic growers. You might also check their catalog or website for other products that kill blister beetles.<BR/><BR/>I bought it after the blister beetle invasion, and fortunately this year they haven't been nearly as bad, so I haven't actually tried it yet. It is also good for all kinds of other pests, too.<BR/><BR/>I have read various other "folk tale" remedies--like that they won't cross wide, empty spaces so you should either leave wide rows between plantings or once they have invaded, clear out the surrounding weeds, grass, plants, etc. I've even read about people yelling at them to scare them away. Who knows! When I'm desperate, I'll try some pretty crazy sounding things myself!<BR/><BR/>I've never gone the hand-picking route, as there were always way too many of them--hundreds and hundreds last year. They also run fast! But that would be your best bet if you only have a few to contend with.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps. Good luck!Farmgirl Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123366299706183322005-08-06T17:11:00.000-05:002005-08-06T17:11:00.000-05:00Hi River,Welcome to the farm! Yep, there's nothing...Hi River,<BR/>Welcome to the farm! Yep, there's nothing like a nice big piece of chocolate cake. You should make some!<BR/><BR/>Clare,<BR/>You'll feel better once you have your new oven and can bake, bake, bake away! Until then, you know there are those chocolate tarts just calling to you from right down the street. . .: )<BR/><BR/>Leigh,<BR/>Yes, try the cake! And definitely let me know how it comes out.<BR/><BR/>Doll Face is one of my very favorite sheep. She was born shortly after <A HREF="http://www.foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com/2005/06/chocolate-chip-sheep-chocolate-chip.html" REL="nofollow"><B>The Chippers</B></A> in 1996. She is a triplet, and she and her sister Mary (the third lamb died at birth) each have twins nearly every year. Doll Face looks completely different than any of my other sheep. She has this long, narrow, unwooly (is that a word?) face.<BR/><BR/>Well, she likes to push that narrow face through the small squares of woven wire fencing in the barnyard pen so she can reach green yummies on the other side. Unfortunately I guess her cheeks expand or something after eating, because she is not real good at pulling her head back out. Last year was the worst. The sheep were penned up while they were lambing (and while the first spring grass was given a chance to grow) and it seemed like every time I went down to the barn, there was Doll Face, standing with her head stuck through the darn fence. Now you can't just bend the wire a little and pull her out--she only pushes her neck further through the fence. If you go around to the other side, and try to push--doesn't work either. Once I got tired of cutting apart the fence with these giant cable snip things, I figured out that if you grabbed her back feet and lifted her off the ground, she would yank her head back through the fence in surprise. Nobody was injured during this process, but after a while she got pretty heavy with those twins inside her, and it was difficult to lift her up. Writing this out, the whole saga sounds a little odd. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, fortunately this year the timing with the lambs was different, and I think she only had her head stuck in the fence once. It helped that I had gone around double fencing most of the entire pen (thus making the wire squares smaller), but she was really good at finding the gaps I'd skipped. It's a good thing I love her so much! She about drove me insane last year.<BR/><BR/>Poisonous snakes? Yep, we have quite a few of them here, especially copperheads. Knock on wood, I've only seen one or two this summer, but sometimes it seems like they are everywhere you turn. Boots are a necessity when walking through any field, and at the beginning of each snake season I usually do not remember this important fact until I am several hundred yards out in a field looking for a sheep or something--without my boots on. <BR/><BR/>The good thing is they hibernate during the winter, so at least it's not a year-round worry. A copperhead bite will not kill a person, but a bite to something under 35 pounds (like a cat or small dog or baby lamb) is often fatal. <BR/><BR/>It's great that the dogs will sniff out snakes for you! Ours do that too. Robin is a real ace at it.<BR/><BR/>Now Leigh, I can completely understand being afraid of poisonous snakes, or even really big non-poisonous ones (the black snakes here get up to six feet long--talk about scary), but, well, you gotta get over the garder snake thing. : )<BR/><BR/>Just remember, besides being beneficial (and harmless)creatures, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. None of this is helping, is it? : )<BR/><BR/>Emily,<BR/>Welcome to the farm! I have blister beetle information for you, but I am going to publish this before it vanishes. Will write more to you soon.Farmgirl Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123269379696447122005-08-05T14:16:00.000-05:002005-08-05T14:16:00.000-05:00Chocolate cake looks fabulous. I'll be trying that...Chocolate cake looks fabulous. I'll be trying that soon. Since you mentioned blister beetles, could I ask how you deal with them? We have tomato plants in our backyard garden (in Kansas), and those nasty things wiped out an entire plant in one day! We had never heard of them before, but our extension office identified them, solving the mystery of what happened to the plant as well as my poor husband's leg. Yikes, those blisters are vicious. Any advice you have would be most appreciated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123269326801237852005-08-05T14:15:00.000-05:002005-08-05T14:15:00.000-05:00Yummy cake...will try the recipe. So who is Doll F...Yummy cake...will try the recipe.<BR/><BR/> So who is Doll Face and why does she keep getting her head stuck? 4 dogs on the porch instead of 2...I would love that. <BR/><BR/>And a poisionous snake? Yuck, the one animal that I a completely scared of. You will laugh...I am so scared of the garder snakes in my garden ! I run and scream like a little girl. It is pathetic. I always make the dogs check the area I am going to garden. I am glad I don't have poisionous snakes here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123254084811107942005-08-05T10:01:00.000-05:002005-08-05T10:01:00.000-05:00you are starting the cycle all over again... this ...you are starting the cycle all over again... this is getting bad! It is like the 3rd tim ahhhhheat stuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05073248172426449684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123210967605813522005-08-04T22:02:00.000-05:002005-08-04T22:02:00.000-05:00chocolate cake . .. mm.. mm. looks so deliciouschocolate cake . .. mm.. mm. looks so deliciousYiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08211302066761753108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123210891308355572005-08-04T22:01:00.000-05:002005-08-04T22:01:00.000-05:00Chocolate cakes ... mm.mm. the picture looks so de...Chocolate cakes ... mm.mm. the picture looks so delicious.Yiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08211302066761753108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-1123156800054705162005-08-04T07:00:00.000-05:002005-08-04T07:00:00.000-05:00Amy,Thanks! It is good! And so easy to make.Hi Wen...Amy,<BR/>Thanks! It <I>is</I> good! And so easy to make.<BR/><BR/>Hi Wendy,<BR/>Thank you. I, too, love mist and fog. So dreamy and ethereal.<BR/><BR/>Jan,<BR/>Just wait until you try a piece! : )<BR/><BR/>Hi Michele,<BR/>Oh, I didn't mean to be cruel. And won't the anticipation make the cake taste that much better when you finally do have a piece? If you've survived until then, that is. : )Farmgirl Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.com