Recipe for family meals :

It is many years since Hub-UK was first launched. It has been created from recipes contributed form all over the world, from professionals and amateurs alike. A great many of the recipes do not have any details as to who sent them in or from where they came. It would be a shame not to share them with you for this reason alone.

This recipe is one such recipe. If you know where it originated, or perhaps it is even yours, let me know and I will add the necessary credits and acknowledgements.

"The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking - love, for those you are cooking for" ~ Sophia Loren.

Ingredients

1 cup mint chocolate chips
1 1/4 cup water, divided
2 1/4 cup flour, unbleached
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs, large

Chocolate mint frosting:
1/2 cup mint chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
3 cup confectioners' sugar
6 tbsp milk

Decorations:
chocolate leaves
chocolate curls
chocolate gratings

Method

To make cake:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.

• In a small saucepan, combine the mint chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of water and cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.

• Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder, then set aside.

• In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter, beating until creamy.

• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.

• Blend in the chocolate mixture.

• Gradually beat in the flour mixture alternately with remaining cup of water.

• Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans.

• Bake at 180°C for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake is done.

• Alow to cool completely on wire racks.

• Fill and frost with chocolate Mint Frosting and garnish.

To make chocolate mint frosting:

• Combine over hot (not boiling) water the mint chocolate chips and butter. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.

• Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

• Transfer to a large bowl.

• Gradually beat in the confectioner' sugar alternately with milk, beating until smooth. (If necessary add more milk until desired consistency is reached.)
  

To make suggested decoration:

• Use chocolate curls and grated chocolate on top of the cake.

• Form a ring of grated chocolate pieces around the outside edge and use the curls in the centre.

• To make chocolate leaves, select several small leaves, wash and dry them and paint one side of them with melted chocolate. Chill until firm and peel the leaf off the chilled chocolate. Use as garnish.

Serves 8