Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake

Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake
Dorcas Annette Walker

It was at my daughter’s house where I got my first taste of what has evolved into my Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake. Even those who aren’t addicted to chocolate like yours truly can’t help but be impressed. What really caught my attention was how easy it was to make. Holidays are times for making memories with friends and family- not slaving in the kitchen wearing yourself out to a frazzle. So treat your Valentine this year to a cake that they will never forget.

Loves comes in many forms and shapes- images of the mind made up of dreams and memories- that only grows sweeter as the years past by. Who hasn’t experienced the excitement followed by the pangs of puppy love as a youngster? We thought our world had come to a stop and we would never be happy again. Then cupids dart hit again and soon we began dating seeking to discover our other half. There is something utterly enchanting in watching young love that lives in the world of dreams and starry eyes or seeing two people pledge their love together. The romance of love only grows deeper as new parents gaze in fascination at their tiny infant. I still can recall in detail many years later the awe that hit me as I looked down for the first time into my newborn daughter’s eyes and felt her tiny fingers grasp my hand. Love’s heartstrings tightened as a young mother trying to keep one step ahead of my toddlers. Then all too quickly the first day of school arrived and love’s dart hit deep. Love sped up in the breathless teen years as schedules were juggled and our horizons were expanded. Only to wake up one day and discover we now took second place in our daughter’s eyes as love bloomed and reached out beyond our home. All too quickly we watched through a misty vision as love multiplied one candle-lit afternoon adding a son-in-law to the family. Then once more the cycle of love expanded when our two grandchildren were born. Love only grows richer seeing the world through small eyes again. No matter what stage of love you experience your life is forever changed and enriched. May you be surrounded by love this Valentine’s Day!

The Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake can be made up ahead of time for Valentine’s Day. Due to the rich moist texture, my Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake needs to stay in whatever pan or dish the cake is baked in as it will easily fall apart. Use your imagination and indulge your sweetheart with a lush topping. Total preparation time for the Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake is around forty-five minutes and this cake baked in a 9 x 13 baking dish will serve fifteen.

Sweetheart Carmel Chocolate Cake

1 chocolate cake mix (any brand)
1 (14 oz) can condensed milk
1 (12 oz) jar of Carmel topping
1 (8 oz) container of cool whip

Bake chocolate cake according to the directions. While still hot, poke holes in the top of the cake with a fork. Pour the condensed milk over the top and then the Carmel topping letting it run down the sides. Cool and ice with the cool whip. Garnish the top of the cake with chocolate curls, chopped nuts, cocoanut, or any crushed candy bar of your choice!

*If you prefer a richer death-by-chocolate taste you can substitute this chocolate icing instead of the cool whip!
Fudgy Chocolate Icing
Bring to a boil stirring constantly:
12 oz pkg chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can of condensed milk
1 tsp raspberry or cherry extract
Cook for about two minutes until the frosting is shinny and thickened. Take off the heat and stir in the extract. Let cool and ice the chocolate cake using any garnish you prefer!

Weekly tip: Use cocoa to dust your baking dish or cookie sheets when baking a chocolate cake or chocolate cookies!