Baking Whims has been sad lately because I am busy updating Cooking Whims.

However, I do manage to sneak in a baked good every now and then. Most recently, I baked a fabulous sour cream chocolate cake with my friend (who just moved 20 minutes away from  me–which I’m so psyched about!) We decided to put together this cake, stick it in the oven, do a 30 minute workout with our friend Jillian Michaels, then reward ourselves with a large piece of the cake at the end. What? At least we’re not just baking the cake and eating it…we make up for our lost calories

Ingredients (Note: I found this recipe at cdkitchen.com)

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the Frosting: We made a buttercream frosting that my friend is crazy about, but since I don’t have that recipe with me, I’ll give you the one from the website. I think the one from the website would be equally delicious.

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 X 9  baking pan.

2. In a large mixer bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt, blending well. Blend in the butter, sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Beat for 3 minutes on medium speed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick, inserted in the center, comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

3. When cool, frost with the frosting.

4. FROSTING: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the cocoa and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil. Pour the mixture into a small mixer bowl and allow to cool completely. Add the confectioners’ sugar to the cocoa mixture alternately with the milk then beating to a spreading consistency. Blend in the vanilla.

This cake was sinfully good. It was very very thick and very rich–almost thick enough to be a brownie, but it had the soft and moist texture of a cake. I’m ashamed to admit that I ate a half a piece for breakfast the next morning. Luckily though, I only took two pieces home with me and the rest was sent away…

Enjoy!