A writer never knows where the next idea for a story will come from. In this case, an idea came to me when I received a text from my sister Liz: “Y’all, I made Louise’s 10-layer chocolate cake for Steve and Jordan’s birthdays.” The text was accompanied by the picture above. First, I began to salivate. Then I was flooded with memories of going with my Mom and Dad and sisters to Macon to visit relatives.
Travel in the mid-1950s to early 60s wasn’t easy. There were no expressways or major highways between Atlanta and Macon. We traveled down Hwy 23 through Jackson, Georgia, and past Fresh Air Barbecue, my Dad’s favorite restaurant. We seldom got to stop there but the fragrance coming from the smokehouse was amazing. Since the windows were open most of the time because we had no air conditioning in the car, that was always the thing we looked forward to as we sweated it out in the back seat.
Once in Macon, we usually made the rounds visiting both sides of the family who lived there. But the crowning stop on the day was a visit to Aunt Louise’s house. Aunt Louise had the spiritual gift of hospitality. We never entered her house when we weren’t offered an ice-cold Coco-Cola in a little glass bottle. And then, she brought out her 10-layer chocolate cake.
Words cannot describe just how amazing that cake was. I figured out that it was best to eat it in square bites of two layers of cake with two layers of icing (see the photo below). That square was the perfect balance that showed off the perfection of that cake. And it was perfection.
Funny story––my aunt liked for people to rave on her cake, so she always made the comment that the cake seemed a little dry to her. One night at dinner around the table, she brought out her cake for dessert. My dad, anticipating her next remark, went to the sink and wet his napkin with water. When slices had been passed around and everyone took their first bite, Aunt Louise said, “This just seems a little drier than usual. Do you think so?” My dad lifted a bite on the fork that with the hand that held the wet napkin, took a bite, and squeezed the napkin. As the water ran down his arm, he replied that the cake didn’t seem dry at all to him. My aunt almost had a coronary on the spot. I doubt she ever made the comment again.
I come from a long line of fabulous cooks. Sadly, I don’t share the skill or the passion they showed. But those women helped make memories for me that will last a lifetime. Shared food makes memories.
Her recipe is not for the faint of heart or the impatient. It takes work. According to what I read online, there are many variations of this 10-layer dessert. It was a southern staple in many families. Apparently, there’s some debate about whether the cake previewed in Georgia or Alabama first. It really doesn’t matter, because this cake stands the test of time. It’s amazing!
Some recipes have been updated and they’re pretty good. However, here’s the real recipe––it’s perfection.
Aunt Louise’s 10-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe
3 cups self-rising flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
1 Tbsp Vanilla
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter or margarine
1/c cup milk
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Add sifted flour and milk alternately, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix thoroughly.
Divide batter into 10 cake pans, 9-inch size, which have been previously greased and dusted with flour.
Bake about 5 minutes in a preheated 450 degree oven or until layers are done. Remove layers from pans and cool.
Frosting
4 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder
2-1/2 cups canned milk
1 Tbsp margarine
1 Tbsp vanilla
Mix sugar and chocolate together in a large pot. Mix well. Add a little milk at a time. Blend thoroughly and bring to a boil on high heat. Boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook 15 minutes stirring constantly. Reduce heat to vey low. Add butter or margarine and vanilla and stir well, leaving on low heat while cake layers are baking.
Spoon warm frosting over a layer and repeat as each layer is added. This makes a festive cake for the holidays.
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