Special Dark Picnic Cake

This moist, rich dark chocolate sheet cake, with matching chocolate frosting, travels well making it a great 'take along' cake for picnics and potlucks.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/3 cups boiling water
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Special Dark Frosting:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
2. Combine chocolate chips, butter and water in large mixer bowl; stir with spoon until chocolate is melted and mixture is blended.
3. Gradually add flour, sugar, sour cream, eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla; beat on low speed of electric mixer until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
5. Frost with Special Dark Frosting.
6. For Special Dark Frosting: Place butter and chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, beating until smooth. If necessary, refrigerate 5 to 10 minutes or until of desired spreading consistency. Makes about 1 2/3 cups frosting.

Makes 12 to 15 servings.

Variation: For a stronger chocolate flavored cake, decrease flour to 2 cups and add 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the Hershey Kitchens, and reprinted with permission of The Hershey Company. © The Hershey Company.