For the Best

This cake is not healthy, nor is it vegan...but when your Dad retires from years and years of hard work you do what he wants.  And I wanted to make a cake that was worthy of him.

He has two favorite cakes.  Depending on which Grandma made it, that was his favorite.  Sadly, my Grandmas aren't around anymore, but I wanted to bake a cake that would make them proud.  So I did what anyone would do before baking a cake.  I prayed that it would all turn out!  I prayed because when I did the research for this cake, I found it hard to get ahold of a recipe.  When I finally came across one I realized why not many people attempted this cake...it's extensive!  There are a lot of steps in making this, but I wanted to make sure to take my time and follow each step to the T.

I ended up going with this recipe from the Joy of Baking.  But I did make a few substitutes.  Like using the Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate.  And I used dutch processed cocoa, which resulted in a deep dark chocolatey taste.  As well as going with the coffee option, which did not make it taste like coffee, but brought out the richness of the chocolate.

When this cake was baking I knew, that at least for one night I was coming out of retirement from eating stuff like this, and was going to join my Dad in celebrating his retirement.  Yes I made such a sacrifice for him.  =)

Ooey Gooey rich chocolatey goodness.  Oh man it was so worth it to have a slice of this cake.  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this cake was A-Mazing!

So here's to you Dad!  Happy retirement.  Thanks for providing for our family, and working hard all of these years.  For showing us what commitment is, even when it gets tough.  For not giving up and for giving more than what's required!  LOVE YOU!