For years my daughter has been bugging me to do the library bake-off.  It is a parent/child contest and is in its 10th year.  We have tried to get  in the past 2 years - but it is limited to 25 participants and we have never gotten to the library soon enough to sign up.  This year we made the cut.  We were #2 on the list to sign up.  After much discussion, we decided to make my special dark cake.  We took 3rd place!  I was thrilled with the result as this was our first ever "bake-off."  Unfortunately, the day of the competition was in the high 90's - and since I don't have A/C it was rather hot in my kitchen - 93 degrees according to the thermostat - the frosting was literally melting off the cake.  Mae and I made the batter and Lu and I made the frosting.  I frosted the cake and the girls decorated it.  The first and second place went to cakes with fruit - being summer, I totally understand.  My cake is a very rich, heavy cake - better suited to fall or winter.  Already thinking about next year... but in the meantime here is my recipe for my 3rd place cake - and I have given you the recipe of the winner too - enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Cake
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Special Dark Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water.
 
1.Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings
 
 
"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Special Dark Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting




The First Place winner was a Peach Kuchen


Ingredients


2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 T sugar
1/2 cup butter
6 peaches  cut in half
3/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 t cinnamon
1 cup heavy cream
 
Shell:
Mix first 4 ingredients, cut in butter until coarse crumbs, press into a 9 x 13 pan.  Peel peaches by placing in boiling water for 1 minute, then in an ice bath to cool.  Arrange peach halves on shell, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, bake at 400 for 15 minutes
 
Combine egg yolks and heavy cream, take cake out of the oven, pour over cream mixture, return for oven for 30 more minutes.  Delicious!