Chocolate Snack Cake

Do you remember Snackin' Cake? Those box mixes that came together quickly, no icing needed and made a great, quick snack? I think they were from the 70's and 80's but correct me if I'm wrong. I had forgotten about them, but had this recipe appear into my in box and thought I should try it. It was a 5 star recipe, said it was a great camping recipe and well, it was chocolate (gets me every time - lol) So, I made it and yup, 5 stars - really, really good, pretty easy to make and excellent flavour. I really liked that it had some oatmeal in the mix (you don't even know it's there) but somehow that makes me feel like I'm eating healthy (the tricks we play on ourselves;)

p.s. you may think you are making a large cake but it's quite a thin cake, so it doesn't go as far as you'd think.


Chocolate Snack Cake

In a bowl, combine and let stand for 10 minutes
1 c. quick oats
1 3/4 c. boiling water*

In a separate bowl combine
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 tbsp. instant coffee*
1 tsp. b. soda
1/8 tsp. salt

*I didn't have instant coffee, so I used brewed coffee for half the liquid in the oat mixture - you don't taste the coffee - it just intensifies the chocolate flavour.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat until crumbly (about 2 minutes)
1/4 c. softened butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed b. sugar

Add in, 1 at a time
2 eggs

Beat in
1/3 c. buttermilk
3 tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Gradually add your flour mixture

Add in the oat mixture by hand
Add in 1/2 cup or so (I always free hand)
mini chocolate chips.

Pour into greased 13x9 inch pan and bake for about 35 minutes, until it bounces back when lightly touched or a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool. Serve with ice cream or a sprinkle of icing sugar (hint - if using the icing sugar, do not sprinkle ahead as it will disappear into the cake)

Enjoy!