Ho Ho Cake or Bars

My Secret Weapon for Holiday Baking: The Irresistibly Delicious Ho Ho Cake

As a busy mom, finding time to bake elaborate desserts feels like a luxury. But during the holidays, when the pressure is on to impress family and friends with festive treats, a simple yet elegant dessert is a life saver. That's where my Ho Ho Cake recipe comes in – a delicious, easy-to-make cake that tastes remarkably like the store-bought version but is made with love (and a few shortcuts!).

This recipe has become a family favorite, handed down from a relative who always knew how to bring a smile to everyone's face. I've only made it myself a handful of times, but every time I do, it's met with enthusiastic appreciation. The cake itself is surprisingly simple, relying on a devil's food cake mix as a base. This is not cheating, this is strategy! Let's be honest, sometimes you need that box mix to get the job done. But the magic truly happens in the filling and frosting. The creamy filling, along with the rich chocolate frosting, elevate this simple cake to new heights of decadent deliciousness. It's the perfect balance of sweet and chocolatey goodness that everyone will adore.

A Tip from a Busy Mom: The best part? This cake tastes even better when it's made ahead of time. Making it the day before and letting it chill overnight allows the flavors to meld together, creating an even more intense and delightful experience. I usually make it a day or two before a gathering to reduce stress. Just imagine the compliments as you effortlessly serve up this crowd-pleaser, while secretly knowing how quick and easy it was to prepare!

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. While I've traditionally made it as a 9x13 cake, perfect for family dinners, it can also be made in a jelly roll pan for a more bar-like treat, ideal for larger gatherings or potlucks. The adaptability of this recipe is perfect for the changing dynamics of our family gatherings - some years are intimate, others a full blown holiday extravaganza!

Beyond the Holidays: Don't limit this cake to just holiday occasions. It’s the perfect dessert for birthdays, potlucks, or even just a cozy night in. The rich chocolate flavor is a comforting treat any time of year. And trust me, once you’ve tasted this cake, you’ll want to make it again and again, regardless of the occasion.

So, if you're looking for a holiday baking solution that's both simple and impressive, look no further. This Ho Ho Cake will be the star of your dessert table, and the secret to your stress-free holiday baking.

Ingredients (This portion is a friendly reminder of the necessary ingredients for this recipe):

• Devil's food cake mix
• Water, oil, eggs (as per cake mix instructions)
• Butter or margarine
• Sugar
• Evaporated milk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Vegetable shortening
• Dark chocolate frosting (or homemade)

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does! Happy baking!

Step-by-step

• Preheat oven to 350degreesF (or temperature specified on cake mix box); grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan (for cake) OR a large jelly roll pan (for bars).
• Make cake as directed on the cake mix package using the mix, water, oil, and eggs.
• Bake 30-40 minutes for the cake or as directed on the box, OR 12-15 minutes to make the bars in a jelly roll pan.
• Cool completely.
• Beat the filling ingredients until light and fluffy; this will take about 10-15 minutes. (Don't be alarmed if it looks kind of curdled and scary at first since it takes time for it to pull together!).
• Spread the filling over the cooled cake.
• Warm the frosting in the microwave until it is a pourable consistency (do this slowly by only cooking for 15-20 seconds at a time, and stirring).
• Pour the frosting evenly over the filling.
• Refrigerate until thoroughly cool and firm (overnight is highly recommended).
• Store cake in the refrigerator.