There's something I don't do enough as a food blogger, and that is telling you guys which food blogs I cook from and love. I read roughly 20 food blogs weekly, and they inspire the heck out of me. I share, save, and pin their recipes in social media, but it never occurred to me to take their recipes and scale it down for you in this space.
First up, I want to praise Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I've been reading her site for years, and making her recipes for just as long, too. There is no other blogger out there that has added to my and my Mom's recipe box more than Mel. Her recipes are just winners, all around. Her recipes always work, they're always delicious, and she's known to have an eye on the clock when it comes to prep time. I'm positive that Mel is a Saint among us, as she has 5 (FIVE!) beautiful kids and finds time to blog about what she cooks for them. I whined that I didn't have time for blogging when we got two dogs; I don't know how Mel does it. But I do know that she does it well. Very, very well.
I make at least one of her recipes each week (my favorites are: enchilada pasta, sweet 'n sour chicken, one pot creamy tuna and shells, spaghetti pie, lasagna soup, and oh I could just keep going and going!). A good way to get started with Mel's recipe is to check out her 'Recipes the World Forgot' section. Too often, I pin almost every single one of her recipes, and then forget to go back and make them. When she reminds me, I'm ever so grateful.
Today? We're scaling down her fudgy chocolate chip yogurt cake. Because a one-layer cake made all in one bowl with a fudge bottom and a dose of yogurt to make me feel healthy is exactly what I want everyday at 4:00. I still eat dessert every day, ya know.
Somehow, in the process of scaling this recipe down, I ended up with a fudge middle instead of a fudge bottom. I tested it several times, and decided that I'm okay with it. Mel's recipe is flawless, and if you make the full version in a 9" cake pan, you'll get a fudge bottom. But, when I scale it down to a mini 6" cake pan to serve two, I get a fudge middle. My fault entirely. But delicious, nonetheless.
Thanks, Mel, for being your wonderful self. You keep me well-fed and constantly inspired in the kitchen. Can we please share this cake together one day?
If you are a chocolate lover, you will adore this cake!Fudge-bottomed Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 659Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 311mgCarbohydrates: 111gFiber: 6gSugar: 75gProtein: 17g
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
Wow! I have to bookmark this recipe as my daughter will soon be leaving for college and my son will come back to take her place, but he's just not into desserts! (I know, I need to check his DNA to make sure he's actually my son!) This looks WONDERFUL!
Danae @ recipe runner says
You had me at fudgy! This is just how every chocolate cake should be, and of course the yogurt makes me feel better because I know I'd eat 2 pieces!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Ohhhh yum. I love finding those blogs that you KNOW you can go to and never be disappointed! :)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Eek! I love Mel's Kitchen too! Here recipes are amazing! but then again so are you for scaling it down, pretty sure you're a saint too for writing two cookbooks, doing appearances, and continuing to blog while pregnant!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Fudgy middle = the best kind of middle to have! I wish I was better about cooking recipes from the blogs that I love the most. Its awesome that you are making more of an effort to do that and now I'm going to as well! Thanks for the inspiration!
Monica says
This looks fabulous and fudge in the middle or the bottom works for me! I discovered Mel's site not long ago and I've made several recipes that were terrific (pulled pork and lasagna rolls, for instance). It's wonderful when this habit of visiting beautiful food sites also leads to delicious meals for the family table. : )
Nicole - Coking for Keeps says
Fudge bottomed. Enough said. I need to check out Mel's blog!
Catherine says
Sounds and looks incredibly divine, Christina. xo, Catherine
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Love Mel's Kitchen Cafe! And I love this scaled down cake -- too often I'll just make a larger one and eat the whole darn thing myself!
Becky | The Cookie Rookie says
This is making me need to get in the kitchen and bake right now! YUM!