My grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, so my aunt asked me to bake them a cake for tonight's family dinner. My dad suggested I make it a wedding cake- good call, pops!
This cake is not vegan, nor is it even remotely healthy. But it sure is delicious.
French Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
For the cake:
- 1 box french vanilla cake mix
- 1 3.4 oz box French Vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 c warm water
- 12 oz bag mini chocolate chips
For the icing (enough to frost two 9" rounds):
- 1/2 lb unsalted butter
- 1 lb powdered confectioner's sugar
- 1 T vanilla extract
- 1/4 c heavy cream
Cake: Preheat oven to 350*F. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix, then beat in eggs, oil, sour cream and water. Fold in chocolate chips. Separate mixture evenly into two well-greased 9" cake pans. Bake for 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting
Icing: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter using an electric mixer. Slowly beat in powdered sugar in roughly 1/2 cup increments. Add vanilla extract. Mix in heavy cream, using more or less depending on the desired consistency.
For this cake, I doubled the quantity to make four 9" rounds. I left two in their 9" size for the base, then cut the other two into 7" and 5" rounds before stacking and icing them. A few white chocolate chips gave it a little more interest, and a dancing couple cake topper was perfect for my grandparents, who love to dance.
I can't think of anyone who deserves a special anniversary cake more than my grandparents. They've been married for 65 years, but my grandfather still looks at my grandmother like she's the most amazing person in the world. It makes me believe in love :)
