Surprised Again! Refrigerator Chocolate Fudge Frosting Cake

My mother-in-law has a collection of some of the best recipes of  probably anyone I know.

When we go down to visit, I'm constantly surprised at all the outstanding desserts that she continually pumps out of that kitchen of hers.

After dinner, the family is literally on the edge of their seat, waiting to hear her announce what dessert she's made this time. Everyone waits for her to announce, "Hold onto your forks everybody, I have (blank) for dessert". 

The oohs and aahs soon follow as she appears with the dessert in hand.  It's like beams of light are shining from it as she carries the dessert platter to the dinner table.

Sometimes when we visit, she'll have a dessert that she's already served us before on one of our prior trips.

I think to myself....... "AH HA!.........Finally!  She doesn't have anymore dessert recipes.  She's used up her  dessert arsenal!"

But low and behold, next time we visit, she'll surprise me yet again with another new amazing dessert. 

When I ask her why oh why she been hiding this delicious recipe from me, she will sweetly say "Oh that old thing?  I've made that for years".

Last month, like many times before, I was surprised again, by another one of her incredible desserts.
 Something so simple, but so eye-closing incredible.  You know, the eye-closing thing? When you take a bite of something delicious, and instantly close your eyes, as though you are shutting out the entire world so you can savor every moment in private darkness.

The combination of a simple boxed chocolate cake, and this fudge-like frosting, when refrigerated literally tuns into....just that.....Fudge.

Thick, chocolaty, cold, melt-in-your-mouth fudge frosting.

Lets get started.

1 Box Devil's Food Cake

Prepare as directed on package.

Bake in a greased 9 x 13 pan at 350 until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Take out of oven and let cool on counter for 1 hour.

Now lets get down to the good stuff.

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:

1 stick melted butter
1/2 c. cocoa powder
4 1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. hot water
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine melted butter with the cocoa powder, and mix well.  Gradually alternate the powdered sugar, hot water and vanilla until its all incorporated.

Oh my goodness.

Now take this fudgy chocolaty divine substance, and spread it on the cooled cake.

Now comes the very very utterly important part.

Are you listening?

I said:  Now comes the very very utterly important part.

Place the frosted cake in the refrigerator for AT LEAST 3 hours.

Once you put this in the refrigerator, it's as though the Fudge Fairies secretly show up, wave their chocolate wand, and turn the frosting into heavenly fudginess.

It even gets a crackly texture like fudge.

Oh heart be still.

After you've cut yourself a piece the size of Texas, don't forget to put this eye-closing dessert back in the refrigerator.

You have to keep this refrigerated or the Fudge Fairies will get very upset.

I wonder what she has up her sleeve for next time we come visit?

I don't think my heart can take another surprise.

P.S.  Don't make my mother-in-law mad and forget to put this back in the refrigerator or you'll have to go to bed without dessert.