Chocolate Cake Squares with Eggnog Sauce

A simple and delicious chocolate cake served with a drizzle of festive eggnog sauce.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar

EGGNOG SAUCE:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1 1/3 cups milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks, beaten
1/4 teaspoon brandy extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Several dashes ground nutmeg

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
2. Stir baking soda into buttermilk in medium bowl; set aside.
3. Stir together cocoa and water until smooth; set aside.
4. Beat butter, shortening and sugar in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla and salt; beat well. Add buttermilk mixture alternately with flour to butter mixture, beating until blended. Add cocoa mixture; blend thoroughly. Pour batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
6. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top. Serve with EGGNOG SAUCE.
7. FOR EGGNOG SAUCE: Stir cornstarch and water in saucepan until smooth. Add milk, sugar and egg yolks. Beat with whisk until well blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in extracts. Cool completely. Sprinkle nutmeg over top. Makes about 1 3/4 cups sauce.

Makes 12 to 15 servings.

*To sour milk: Use 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus milk to equal 1 cup.

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