Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Taste and See that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8) - UPDATED

I recently tasted a most amazing and wonderful cake. I've had wonderful cakes before, but this is possibly among the most delicious of my entire 42 years of life!

At work a couple of weeks ago, we all received an e-mail from Brad, one of our summer interns (a 19-year-old college student) saying his Mom had sent in cake in honor of his birthday. He said he had left some in the kitchens of every floor of our office. I immediately thought, "Wow! how nice...that's a lot of cake!" In an effort to "be good," I quickly decided to forego a trip to the nearest kitchen and resumed work on my task. Moments later, a co-worker of mine came bursting in saying "I brought you some of Brad's cake!" For a split second I was disappointed, but then quickly decided it was only right that I should partake. After all, she HAD made a special trip trip just to deliver the goods...it was such a kind gesture...how could I say no? ; )

Let me just say as soon as I took the first bite, I knew I was in trouble. Wow! In a matter of moments, the cake was gone and I was literally sad! It was that good! Soon thereafter, I saw Brad. I said..."that cake..." He just started smiling and nodding... "yes...I know." I decided to be bold..."Do you think I could get your Mom's recipe?" "Sure" he said. I walked away thinking I better start searching the Internet, because 19-years-olds have a lot more important things on their minds than recipes. After searching every conceivable description of the cake on Google, I gave up. Would you believe a couple of days later, he stopped by to see me...recipe in hand?! I was so impressed. My happiness spilled over when I looked at the recipe for "Brad's Cake" and realized that it was incredibly simple. I've already made it...twice! It's pretty much foolproof, and perfect for those times you need to whip up a quick dessert. In honor of your sweet friendship (and with Brad's blessing), I'm sharing this deliciousness with you! Enjoy!

1 white cake mix
1 can "Thank You" brand chocolate pudding
(I found this near the instant cheesecake mixes at our Kroger)
2 eggs

Combine these three items until smooth. (Batter will be thick) Spread in 9 x 13 pan.

In a separate bowl, combine:
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts and chopped them very fine)

Once well blended, sprinkle over the cake batter. (There is enough to cover the top of the entire cake). Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. That's it!

(Variation: You can also use 1 box of yellow cake with butterscotch pudding and chips in place of chocolate.)


One other sweet blessing that came about because of this cake...I spent more time talking with Brad. I learned he is a Christian (which I should have suspected based on his demeanor around our office). He's a great guy. The Mom heart in me then thought of his Mom. I asked how she was doing with his fast-approaching return to college. He said, "She's doing well...she's quite a tough cookie." He then went on to tell me how she fought two different types of cancer during his high school years, and now is cancer free. She is considered quite a miracle. Her oncologist even nicknamed her, "Lazarus." Seeing her faith through such a difficult journey has obviously made quite an impact on this young man. His love and admiration for her is evident, as is his gratitude to the Great Physician who brought about her healing. I can't tell you how much that blessed this Mom's heart. Something tells me I'm going to think about Brad and his Mom each time I bake that cake, making it even sweeter than ever before.

UPDATE: I'm so sorry for those of you who haven't been able to find the canned pudding. Our local Kroger carries it, but I had to enlist the help of a manager in order to find it. My first suggestion would be to ask at the service desk, or ask a manager. (Only because I had looked so carefully and felt certain they didn't have it.) Another option is to try using chocolate pudding made from a mix, or better still, the predone style. (Thanks Elaine!) The can size is 15.75 ounces, so if you simply measure out about 16 ounces, it will be about the same amount in volume...I'm hopeful that it would still taste good, as well. (If you do try this option, would you let me know how it turns out?) One final option...here's a link where you can actually order the pudding online!

22 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I am, unashamedly, a cake LOVER! You can have all other manner of sweets, but don't take my cake. I have a honeybun cake recipe to die for (I make it for the bank ladies all the time), and this one looks delicious. I'll make it this week.

By the way, tons of emails from parents grieving the "letting go" process. Thinking of you, Tracy, as you let go again.

peace~elaine

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

No luck on finding the "canned pudding." Any thoughts?

peace~elaine

Peggy said...

Blessings Tracy...Elaine really wants some of that cake...she needs canned pudding...can she make a package pudding? (lol)

I came to ask a favor...I have gone to 3 different blogs and even googled 160 Acre Woods and I have no success at getting in to the blog...I click on yours or anyone's and I'm NOT linked! I get an Internet message. Could you link me tomorrow or whenever you
do yours? It's my first try but...
I couldn't even get in when I was just visiting all the WFW...if you can't..it's OK...maybe someone will be blessed if they have a magnifying glass! I wonder how I can find out the other WFW's...I just come visit you, Nancie and a few I know and visit your commentors!!! Let me know if you think of a solution!!! I even tried Firefox in case it was IE7.

Blessings on you and the scrumptious cake! ((HUGS))

I'm going to post it as is and go back to the drawing board to work on my letters! You'll notice...

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

I simply adore you for making it twice already :)

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

I cannot wait to try this

Paula V said...

Tracy,
Call me corney but I have holy bumps from reading about this. Is God not just the most awesome. I mean you thought your mouth was being blessed with such scrumptious food; yet your soul was blessed by being able to connect with this young man. That most definitely is a God-moment and a God-thing. Only He could connect two people via a cake. What a wonderful way to better get to know a fellow co-worker and an outstanding testimony of his mom.

I've not looked but I've never seen canned pudding. Wonder if indeed it has to be canned? Could it be those premade individual ones or even mixed from the box?

I'll make note of this recipe for any future baking needs.
PP

Melanie said...

This cake sounds yummy, Tracy! And what a great guy Brad sounds like... I sure he is a special blessing to his Mom.

Tea with Tiffany said...

Oh, this is so sweet! I'm so glad you had the opportunity to hear more about Brad and his miracle mom. Inspiring story and sounds like a delicious cake!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your mom thoughts with me. I appreciate them.

Have a great day and week!

Edie said...

Mmmm that cake does look good! What a great providencial moment. I just love when I have eyes to see our Lord at work!

Anonymous said...

I too have not seen canned pudding! Any ideas? I want to make this cake for my small group this thursday...
Hmmm... gonna have to think on this one! :)
God bless,
Heather

Addicted to Beadz said...

EF~

Kroger's. There is no such a thing as Kroger's in Oklahoma, sister.

So, I'll just wait for you to make me one and send it on up to me! ha ha Just kidding

Never heard of that kind of pudding, or even "canned" pudding, but there are other puddings that are already made, i.e., Jell-O, maybe those would work.

I'm such a sweet freak. It sounds great.

Hope you are great!

Cheryl

Mozi Esme said...

That looks delicious!

And I love how certain foods can always remind you of something - especially when it's of one of God's blessings!

Anonymous said...

I love this story. It is amazing if we just take the time to get to know people, we will learn alot about them & the struggles that they may have been through.

I am going to try this cake. It sounds yummy.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Girls, just ordered me 3 cans of pudding on line. How weird am I? The links I will go to for some cake. Trust me, this pudding isn't in Wal-Mart or at a Food Lion (if you have those). Just go to the link and order.

I just talked to my dad and told him that mom can stop searching. Honestly, we were laughing so hard over the phone about my pudding search. His words...

"I'm sure there's a blog post in there somewhere, elaine." He's right. But I'll wait until the cake has been made.

Come on pudding...

~elaine

Tracy said...

You are cracking me up! Your Mom & Dad were searching, too?! I love it! I’m really hoping after all this build-up that you really do LOVE this cake. (You’re going to have it in for me by then if you don’t!) “Come on pudding…” LOL!

A happy heart at home said...

Mmmm - that must be delicious! And it looks like it's easy enough for me to make LOL!

~Susan

Natalie said...

Yum, Tracy! Perfect treat for a sweet tooth!

Anonymous said...

Well,
Ok, i didn't go to the lengths that Elaine went, but I got some snack size pudding cups... I made the cake and it is currently in the oven... however, i will have to wait to let you know how it tastes until tomorrow afternoon...
after my small group taste tests it for me! :)
Heather

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Girl, you are so awesome!!! I loved reading this story. I love coming over here....always inspirational~ even when it's cake!!! :)

Great WFW, too!

Blessings!

Susan said...

Oh Tracy, I'm going for it! The cake sounds wonderful, and yes, like Elaine, I take cakes very seriously!!

Can't wait to bake it.

Thanks for sharing the recipe with us, and the story about Brad and his mom. I was so touched and greatly encouraged!

Blessings to you my friend♥

Anonymous said...

It worked! Everyone loved it. As a matter of fact, I walked into small group carrying it and one of our single guys in the group looked at it and said, “can we start with dessert?” :)

I came home with only one piece because everyone was taking some home with them too! And then I gave the last piece to our 17 year old neighbor kid we’ve unofficially “adopted” and he just about melted into the floor. I don’t think he even breathed until he’d finished it! :)

So it was a great success!
Thank you for posting this recipe!
God bless,
Heather

Joyful said...

Made the cake last night and my 16 year old son claims it is the BEST cake he has ever tasted!!!! I left out the 'nuts' as I don't like them, but it is good without them. I used Heather's idea of the prepared chocolate pudding snacks and it worked perfectly.

This will be one dessert I'll be preparing again and again!!!!

Thanks for sharing the recipe,
Blessings,
Joy