Sunday, February 20, 2011

NO REGRETS. Chocolate Chip Marble Swirl Cake


My daughter turns 20 this year.

It's inconceivable to me that she is almost a grown woman.

I made this cake for her on her 10th birthday. I remember that day like it was yesterday.  She jumped up on the kitchen counter and watched me, as I carefully swirled the chocolate on top of the white frosting.

She begged me for "just a small piece" before her friends came over. 

As all mothers know, I would have given her a piece in a heartbeat.  But you know how it goes.  Can't very well have a birthday cake with a piece missing now can you?  Or can you?

Looking back I think to myself , "what would be the harm"?  Her 10 year old friends who were coming over for a slumber party wouldn't have cared.  They were more excited to show off their sticker books, and to paint their nails, and use their glitter paint.

Since that birthday party, 10 years ago, every single time I make this cake, I always remember that darling little girl, sitting on that kitchen counter wanting "just a little sliver, please please please". 

I still have a little pang of Regret not giving her just a little piece.  What fun that would have been - her and I sneaking a teensy tiny piece before the festivities.

So to all you mothers out there, with a 10 year old, or even a 10 month old -  I wish you no regrets in life over little things like this.

Sneak a piece of cake a time or two.  It will be a little special memory between mother and daughter.


1 Box White Cake Mix
1 1/4 c. water
1/3 c. oil
3 egg whites
1/2 c. mini chocolate chip morsels
1/4 c. chocolate flavored syrup
Extra chocolate flavored syrup for drizzling
1 tub Vanilla Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together cake mix, egg whites, water and oil. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.

 Scoop out 1 cup of the batter and set aside.


Pour remaining batter into a 9 x 13 inch pan that has been sprayed with Pam.

Put the 1 cup batter back into the original batter bowl (always trying to save a dirty dish.  Less is good).

Stir in 1/4 cup chocolate syrup into the 1 cup reserved batter and stir stir stir it up. 

Voila!  Chocolate cake batter!


Now carefully take a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate batter, and dot the white batter with 6 mounds.


Two. Two and Two.  Kinda something like this.


With a butter knife, swirl "S" shapes right through that chocolate batter, into the white batter.

Swirl away.  One direction, then the other direction.

Don't blend it in so much that it's one big blurr.  Make sure it looks all swirly and stuff.


Bake for about 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.  Be sure to watch it.  Ovens really do vary.

Your cake should turn out all pretty and marbled like this.


Let the cake cool completely.

Frost cooled cake with the tub of white frosting.

With your creative flare, drizzle chocolate syrup in sweet little designs all over the top.

If you are using the chocolate syrup that is in the can (Hershey's) , just take a spoon, dip, and drizzle away.



If a little certain someone asks for just a teeny sliver before guests come over, remember No Regrets.

Just tell your guests that a mouse must have ate it.





5 comments:

  1. Oh Sally - ya makin me cry. That is the best advice ever! I sometimes do the same thing with my own son - and then wonder why I didn't just give in. Besides, you shouldn't sweat the small stuff, right? And you know I am loving this recipe even more because it uses a boxed cake mix. I'm printing this recipe out now!!

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  2. Yep, been there done this a million times. I get this lucky chance to try all over again with my Jakey and I'm so thankful that you're reminding me of the important things in life :) My other two boys are 21 and 24.....wish I had let them have sneaks of cookie dough and decorate a little more freely. Love ya girl! Can't wait to try this recipe.....

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  3. Awww.. Sall I think thats great advice! And DONT keep beatin yourself up over it! Your a good Momma and you just wanted her cake to look beautiful and still intact! : ) I will take your advice though. My lil Kelsey will be turning 8 this year. My husband and I were just talking about what we should get her. I think were gonna go with a small pet turtle! Im soo excited to see the look on her face : ) I think Im gonna make this cake for it! It looks AMAZING GIRL!!

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  4. Would you advise microwaving the frosting to give it the home made look then drizzle the chocolate syrup?

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