April has so many options…fun spring themes, like April Showers, Garden, Tulips, Mardi Gras, Easter, or maybe Baseball…think Spring Training.
If you’re going with a spring theme consider decorating with tulips or daffodils and maybe a pastel gingham table cloth. How about a plush bunny as a Traveler and potted plants as prizes?
If baseball is your jam, ask everyone to wear their favorite baseball jersey and/or hat. Decorate the tables to look like baseball diamonds, and use a plush baseball as a Traveler. Maybe some popcorn and peanuts as table snacks!
I know this recipe isn’t pastel in color it can be dressed up with a frosting flower, pastel sprinkles, or candy baseball…or whatever inspires you!
This Black Devil’s Food Cake recipe (below) is an old family recipe. This cake always reminds me of my Grandma. It was my Grandpa’s favorite cake and there was always one on the counter when we visited. It has become a favorite of my boys, as well. This cake (and frosting) are crazy good! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we always do.
Black Devils Food Cake
INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour
1-3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 egg
1 cup milk
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup boiling strong coffee (I use instant decaf, then I can make it extra strong without the added caffeine!)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together. Add egg, vegetable oil, and milk, stir together until well blended.
Have coffee boiling ready, stir into the mixture gently. Batter will be very thin.
Place in greased jellyroll pan and bake for 20 minutes (or bake 40 minutes in a 9″ x 13″ pan).
Frost using Minute Fudge Frosting (recipe below) when cool to the touch.
Minute Frosting
INGREDIENTS
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoon cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Combine frosting ingredients. Slowly bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 – 1-1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, add vanilla (if you like, stir in a spoonful of peanut butter…I do!). Let cool 1 minute. Beat until thick enough to spread. Pour over cake, spread to edges and let cool/set up. The frosting will form a shell-like/fudge-like top.